Hospitals represent one of the cornerstones in our modern society. Medical treatments and surgical procedures have grown by leaps and bounds in the past century and this trend is expected to continue into the future. With new technologies being developed each year, the implementation of these innovations has saved countless lives. However, the risk of infection whilst in hospital remains at an all-time high level, and healthcare associated infections represent a significant risk to patients and medical professionals alike. Such maladies are defined simply as infections that were not present on arrival at the centre and have developed while undergoing treatment or on-site. Such infections are especially prevalent in developing countries, and steps need to be taken in order to mitigate the potential health risks and mortality rates.

The challenges facing modern medical facilities are robust. Only by a proactive and on-going implementation of these and other practices can hospitals expect to reduce the transmission of potential life-threatening pathogens. This can help protect both patients and healthcare professionals while making a hospital stay safe and pleasant.

There are many steps that are being adopted worldwide to improve the situation.

One of the greatest aims in keeping a hospital clean and preventing outbreaks of such bacteria as E.coli or common staph infections has to do with inter-departmental accountability. In the past dedicated janitorial staff were charged with maintaining the sanitary conditions of the workplace, but now more feedback and responsibility are also given to the nursing staff. The more they actively include sanitation in their daily routine, the more conditions will be kept at optimum levels.

Another important step that has been taken is to create Patient Environment Action Teams. These consulting bodies make objective ratings of every facility that contains more than ten beds on a yearly basis. These teams are comprised of doctors, nursing staff, food preparation professionals and executive and non-executive directors. Therefore, better support and training programs can be proactively administered to further cut down on hospital-borne diseases.

Another area of progress is that of actively engaging with the patients themselves and obtaining any positive or negative feedback they may have to offer. Not only does this allow for greater patient satisfaction but also enables a hospital to target any less-than-satisfactory areas within specific wards and make necessary adjustments as needed.

Finally, preventative measures represent the greatest effect on reducing the spread of internal pathogens. All medical personnel are strictly monitored for their proper hand washing or alcohol rubs before and after interacting with any patient. Sterilisation practices need to be adhered to without fault as many infections can actually occur during medical procedures themselves. Should a case of infection occur, strict isolation measures need to be put in place as the spread of a pathogen is directly correlated to the ability that it is able to be transferred inter-patient or inter-facility. Surface sanitation and anti-microbial surfaces are also greatly emphasised, and their proper implementation can help eliminate the spread of germs and other harmful bacteria.

Professionals such as Dr.Tunji Olowolafe www.lagosindicatoronline.com/Glimpses_Of_The_First_1000_DAYS.html, whose company Deux Projects Ltd both builds and maintains hospitals and medical research facilities, have recognised this growing threat and have begun to take measures to help ensure that all hospitals are clean and safe working environments.