Study on Patients’ awareness about nosocomial infections due to improper cleaning of bed linen

Patients enter a hospital or healthcare environment to have one particular ailment treated but what if instead of recovering from disease they get infected by hospital environment. Environment of the hospital can play a major role in spreading Nosocomial infections also known as Hospital Acquired Infections, and improper cleaning of bed linen can be a major cause of it, because textiles contaminated with body substances can contain large numbers of microorganisms (106-108 cfu/100 cm2 fabric)[1]. Every individual has the right to a proper health service in order to prevent and recover from illness, so it is important to ensure that patients are aware about their rights and they make sure that hospitals are providing them proper services. This study has been conducted at private and government hospitals of Bhopal city in India, and 50 patients of 5 different hospitals have taken part in it. Method used for research work is survey based questionnaire. Result of this study shows 64% patients of private hospitals are satisfied with their services. 70% patients are aware about Nosocomial infections and its causes including improper cleaning of bed linen. 64% patients are aware about their consumer rights, but 50% are unsure about asking for it from hospital authorities. Most of the patients are aware about Nosocomial infections and their causes. More than half of patients are aware about their consumer rights, but they are unsure about asking for it.