• At Giffard Memorial Hospital, we have always had a robust Infection Control program as we understand that prevention and control of infection in both patients and the staff who cares for them, is a responsibility and an absolute moral commitment. Therefore, each hospital in the METAS Group has a comprehensive Infection Prevention and Control program.
• Infection Control program at METAS Hospitals covers policies on hand hygiene, isolation, occupational health, notification on infectious diseases, clinical sample collection, infection prevention, antibiotic usage and environmental hygiene in visitor areas and practice settings. Our Infection Control program also focuses on prevention of nosocomial or hospital acquired infections, particularly surgical wound infections, ventilator-associated infections, UTI and intravascular device related infections including control of communicable diseases.
• The overall aim of the  is to guide doctors and health care workers on minimizing patient's infection risk and ensuring safety

The salient features of the program are:

Tracking Infection control data
Each of the hospitals in the METAS group tracks infection control parameters month after month and these are benchmarked with standards and variations and the values are thoroughly analyzed.

Standard/Universal Precautions to ensure safety of health care workers
Universal and Standard Precautions practices are followed stringently. Teaching/training and orientation programs are conducted on a regular basis for all employees and at the time of induction on Standard Precautions and key Infection Control norms like Hand Hygiene practices. The Staff health policy at METAS Hospitals ensures that all personnel are vaccinated or have immunity to Varicella and Hepatitis B. Food handlers are also screened on a regular basis and appropriate vaccination is also administered to them periodically.

Hand Hygiene Initiative
METAS Hospitals ensures safe water supply in all patient care areas for hand washing and alcohol-based hand rubs are kept at all patient beds. All hospitals in Metas Group conduct vigilant observational audits periodically to ensure high compliance to hand hygiene at patient care areas.

Use of Clinical practice guidelines and protocols
All our hospitals follow stringent guidelines for usage and care of catheters, intravascular devices, and in the usage of other invasive devices. We follow International protocols in care of equipment, air conditioning for CCUs and operating rooms, linen disinfection, including management of needle stick injuries and blood spills. We also have an established Lab safety program and Waste management policy.

Isolation protocols
Identification and prevention of the spread of communicable disease is outlined, and so are the isolation protocols and procedures including barrier nursing.

Environmental sampling
Environmental monitoring of Critical Care Units and Operating rooms including other patient care areas is performed through air sampling. In addition, drinking water and dialysis water analysis is performed, sterilization and disinfection processes are monitored, and food safety standards and guidelines are laid down and followed.

Visitor Control
METAS  Hospitals has a visitation protocol. All visitors are alerted on infection control practices through guidelines mentioned on the visitor passes.

Policies and Guidelines of the Apollo Infection Control Program

• Patient Safety policy
• Antimicrobial policy guidelines
• Provision of resources for hand hygiene and practices and protocols related to it
• Staff health and safety guidelines
• Disinfection and sterilization policy
• Guidelines for monitoring of Disinfectants
• Screening guidelines for food handlers
• Bacteriological analysis of Drinking water
• Bacteriological analysis of Dialysis water
• Policy for the restricted antimicrobials and their usage
• Environmental Cleaning and disinfection guidelines
• Indwelling medical device usage and care
• Management of spills of body fluids, blood and Microbiology cultures
• Guidelines Protocols for Linen and Laundry
• Dialysis protocols
• Food and Beverages processes and hygienic kitchen management
• Protocols for Care of patients with communicable diseases
• Protocols for Care of bleeding patients
• Isolation policy and procedures and Barrier Nursing with special reference to multi drug resistant organisms and highly virulent organisms
• Protocols for Provision and appropriate usage of personal protective equipment including gloves, gowns, masks, goggles/visors etc. in prevention and control of infections
• Guidelines for antimicrobial prophylaxis
• Waste management policy and procedures on discarding and disposal of hospital waste including sharps and needles
• Visitor's and attendant's protocols