OT, ICU uniforms only in designated areas in hospitals

Amaravati: Director of medical education (DME) Dr Vishnuvardhan instructed all government medical colleges and teaching hospitals in the state to ensure that doctors, postgraduate students, interns, nursing staff and other healthcare personnel wear designated uniforms used in Operation Theatres (OTs) and Intensive Care Units (ICUs) only within the respective restricted areas.

In a move to strengthen infection control and prevent hospital-acquired infections, the DME has issued written instructions prohibiting healthcare personnel from moving around general wards, outpatient departments (OPDs), corridors, offices, canteens and other hospital premises wearing OT and ICU scrubs after completing their duties.

Although oral instructions were being followed earlier, this is the first time that comprehensive written orders have been issued to ensure strict implementation of the protocol. The DME pointed out that wearing specialised clothing outside designated areas could lead to the spread of microorganisms and increase the risk of hospital-acquired infections among patients.

The special uniforms must be worn only in designated areas, including operation theatre complexes, all ICUs, labour rooms, catheterisation laboratories, transplant units and sterile zones of the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD).

Healthcare personnel are prohibited from wearing these uniforms in general wards, OPDs, corridors, lifts, waiting areas, offices, libraries, canteens, hostels, parking areas and outside hospital premises.

Staff must wear the designated clothing before entering restricted areas and remove it before leaving. Caps, masks and shoe covers must also be removed before exiting these zones. Footwear earmarked for OTs and ICUs should not be used in other areas.

In emergencies requiring personnel to move outside the designated zones, they must wear a clean, full-body covering gown or coat over their special uniforms. Fresh scrubs must be worn before re-entering the restricted areas.

The DME directed hospital superintendents to ensure an adequate supply of special uniforms and suggested using different colours for OT and ICU clothing to distinguish them. The uniforms must be cleaned only through the respective hospital laundries.

Separate changing rooms for men and women must also be provided at the entrances of every OT and ICU to facilitate changing into and out of the designated clothing.

The superintendent of each teaching hospital will be responsible for implementing the instructions.

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The Hans India