Centre issues advisory for government health workers

The recent advisory, issued by the Central Government, recommends that healthcare workers in ICUs refrain from using cell phones and all types of jewellery below the elbow while on duty. This may seem like a trivial matter, but it has significant implications when it comes to infection control and patient safety.

The primary reason behind this advisory is to minimise the risk of cross-contamination in the ICU. In a high-stress environment like an ICU, healthcare workers are constantly in close contact with critically ill patients who may have weak immune systems. As a result, they are at high risk of catching infections and spreading them further.

According to the TOI report, the Director General of Health Services



(DGHS), Atul Goyal said that the step has been taken in response to existential evidence that suggests there is a higher chance of total skin microorganism counts when hand jewellery is worn below the elbow. He wrote on April 19 that using a phone while on duty raises the danger of infection, particularly in crucial settings like ICUs, HDUs, post-operative wards, and operation theatres.

The step has been taken based on some existential evidence which shows that wearing hand jewellery below the elbow increases the risk of total skin micro-organism counts. In a letter released on April 19, he stated that using mobile phones during duty, especially in critical areas like ICUs, HDUs, post-operative wards and operation theatres, increases the infection risk.