Robert Reid Cabral Hospital unveils new protocol to reinforce prevention of hospital infections

Santo Domingo. – The Dr. Robert Reid Cabral Pediatric Hospital presented its new Protocol for Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), an initiative aimed at strengthening patient safety and improving the quality of medical care in the healthcare center. The activity was led by the hospital director, Dr. Mabel Jones, along with the deputy director, Dr. Krismely Moya; the coordinator of the IAAS Prevention and Control Program, Dr. Carlos Félix Cuello; and the program’s epidemiologist, Dr. Manuel Colomé. Dr. Jones explained that the protocol was developed by a multidisciplinary team and is aligned with the international guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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“For our management, patient safety is a fundamental priority. With this protocol, we strengthen medical practices and guarantee safer and higher quality care for our children and adolescents“, he stated.

From his side, Dr. Carlos Félix Cuello indicated that the strategy incorporates the implementation of “care bundles” or packages of preventive measures applied simultaneously and systematically to reduce hospital risks.

“**The effectiveness of these measures depends on the complete fulfillment of each intervention. With this, we seek to reduce the main infections associated with healthcare**,” he/she pointed out.

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Meanwhile, Dr. Manuel Colomé highlighted that the new manual will allow for the strengthening of epidemiological surveillance and the optimization of prevention processes in the different care areas of the hospital. He also explained that the protocol includes specific actions to prevent pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation, bloodstream infections related to central venous catheters, urinary tract infections associated with catheters, and surgical site infections. As part of its implementation, the health center will conduct weekly audits and apply mandatory checklists, with the goal of achieving compliance above 95% in all care units.