The Infection Control Committee (ICC) of Ranjeet Deshmukh Dental College and Research Centre is a multidisciplinary body established on 7 th January 2014, to ensure the highest standards of infection prevention and patient safety within the healthcare institution. The committee functions in accordance with a defined Code of Conduct, which outlines its structure, roles, responsibilities, and operational framework. Its primary objective is to prevent and control healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) through systematic planning, implementation of evidence-based practices, surveillance, and continuous monitoring.

The ICC is responsible for developing and updating infection control policies and standard operating procedures in alignment with national and international guidelines. The committee also ensures compliance with hand hygiene protocols, biomedical waste management, sterilization and disinfection practices, antimicrobial stewardship, and outbreak management procedures.

In addition to policy formulation, the ICC plays a vital role in education and training of healthcare workers, promoting awareness regarding infection prevention practices. Quarterly meetings are conducted to review reports, discuss challenges, evaluate performance indicators, and ensure accountability across departments.

Furthermore, the committee actively conducts annual vaccination drives for the benefit of Institutional stakeholders. These include a Hepatitis B vaccination program for newly joined undergraduate and postgraduate students, a shingles vaccination drive, seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination campaigns, and cervical cancer vaccination initiatives. These preventive measures strengthen immunity among healthcare professionals and students, thereby reducing the risk of infection transmission within the institution. In case of needle stick injury, the ICC has a well-defined protocol for immediate reporting, evaluation, and implementation of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) as per standard guidelines. Through coordinated efforts, continuous monitoring, and adherence to its Code of Conduct, the Infection Control Committee strengthens institutional preparedness, enhances patient care quality, and safeguards the health of patients, staff, and visitors.