scholarly journals Infection Prevention and Control at Lira University Hospital, Uganda: More Needs to Be Done

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Marc Sam Opollo ◽  
Tom Charles Otim ◽  
Walter Kizito ◽  
Pruthu Thekkur ◽  
Ajay M.V. Kumar ◽  
...  

Globally, 5%–15% of hospitalized patients acquire infections (often caused by antimicrobial-resistant microbes) due to inadequate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. We used the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ‘Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework’ (IPCAF) tool to assess the IPC compliance at Lira University hospital (LUH), a teaching hospital in Uganda. We also characterized challenges in completing the tool. This was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study conducted in November 2020. The IPC focal person at LUH completed the WHO IPCAF tool. Responses were validated, scored, and interpreted per WHO guidelines. The overall IPC compliance score at LUH was 225/800 (28.5%), implying a basic IPC compliance level. There was no IPC committee, no IPC team, and no budgets. Training was rarely or never conducted. There was no surveillance system and no monitoring/audit of IPC activities. Bed capacity, water, electricity, and disposal of hospital waste were adequate. Disposables and personal protective equipment were not available in appropriate quantities. Major challenges in completing the IPCAF tool were related to the detailed questions requiring repeated consultation with other hospital stakeholders and the long time it took to complete the tool. IPC compliance at LUH was not optimal. The gaps identified need to be addressed urgently.

2021 ◽  
pp. 175717742110127
Author(s):  
Salma Abbas ◽  
Faisal Sultan

Background: Patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities during outbreaks hinges on a prompt infection prevention and control response. Physicians leading these programmes have encountered numerous obstacles during the pandemic. Aim/objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate infection prevention and control practices and explore the challenges in Pakistan during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and administered a survey to physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes at 18 hospitals in Pakistan. Results: All participants implemented universal masking, limited the intake of patients and designated separate triage areas, wards and intensive care units for coronavirus disease 2019 patients at their hospitals. Eleven (61%) physicians reported personal protective equipment shortages. Staff at three (17%) hospitals worked without the appropriate personal protective equipment due to limited supplies. All participants felt overworked and 17 (94%) reported stress. Physicians identified the lack of negative pressure rooms, fear and anxiety among hospital staff, rapidly evolving guidelines, personal protective equipment shortages and opposition from hospital staff regarding the choice of recommended personal protective equipment as major challenges during the pandemic. Discussion: The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes in Pakistan. It is essential to support infection prevention and control personnel and bridge the identified gaps to ensure patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-86
Author(s):  
Applonia Leo Obi

Abstract: Infection Prevention and Control in Scaling Treatment Measures.Dental health workers are a group that is susceptible to infection because in the course of treatment often in contact with saliva and blood. Saliva and blood are intermediaries for transmitting infections so the action in high risk dental practice in daily clinical practice. The rules are obeyed, in order to avoid operators or patients against cross infections that can occur in clinical practice. This study aims to determine the prevention and control of infection in scaling at the Dental Health Department education clinic. This research method is descriptive observational cross-sectional study design. The number of samples was 32 dental nurse students from the Dental Health Department. The tools and materials used in the study are the assessment list / check list sheet and stationery. The results of this study indicate infection prevention and control: the operator is in the moderate category (53.1%,) all operators (100%) use a sterile device, one glass mouth rinse for each patient (87.5%) and only 12 suction, 5% and 75% instruct patients to gargle antiseptic before treatment, manage dental equipment (100%) clean equipment using soap and running water and bring clean equipment to the sterilization room, and 100% use aprons, masks and thick gloves only (78, 1%) around 81.2% do not use protective glasses. Measures during the examination and treatment (100%) wearing masks (90.6%) did not wash hands and 78.1% did not wear protective goggles when performing scaling treatments. The conclusions in this study indicate that infection prevention and control measures in the treatment of scaling at the Kupang Dental Health Department education clinic have been implemented but not yet optimal. Students wear handscoen without washing hands first and do not wear glasses when scaling. Abstrak: Pencegahan dan Pengendalian Infeksi pada Tindakan Perawatan Scaling. Tenaga kesehatan gigi merupakan kelompok yang rentan terhadap penularan infeksi karena dalam tindakan perawatan sering berkontak dengan saliva dan darah. Saliva dan darah merupakan perantara penularan infeksi sehingga tindakan dalam praktek perawatan gigi resiko tinggi dalam praktek klinik sehari-hari. Aturan dipatuhi, untuk menghindari operator maupun pasien terhadap infeksi silang yang dapat terjadi di praktek klinik. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pencegahan dan pengendalian infeksi pada tindakan scaling di klinik pendidikan Jurusan Kesehatan Gigi.Metode penelitian ini adalah observasional deskriptif dengan desain cross-sectional study. Jumlah sampel adalah 32 mahasiswa perawat gigi Jurusan Kesehatan Gigi. Alat dan bahan yang digunakan dalam penelitian adalah lembar daftar penilaian/check list dan alat tulis. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan Pencegahan dan pengendalian infeksi: terhadap operator termasuk kategori cukup sebesar (53,1%,) seluruh operator  (100%)  menggunakan alat steril, satu gelas kumur untuk setiap pasien (87,5%) dan menggunakan suction hanya 12,5%  dan 75% instruksikan pasien berkumur antiseptik sebelum dirawat, Pengelolaan alat kedokteran gigi (100%) pembersihan peralatan gunakan sabun dan air mengalir serta membawa peralatan bersih ke ruangan sterilisasi, serta 100 % menggunakan celemek, masker dan sarung tangan tebal hanya (78,1%) sekitar 81,2% tidak menggunakan kaca mata pelindung. Tindakan selama pemeriksaan dan perawatan (100%) gunakan masker  (90,6% ) tidak mencuci tangan dan 78,1% tidak mengenakan kaca mata pelindung saat melakukan tindakan perawatan scaling. Simpulan dalam penelitian ini menunjukkantindakan pencegahan dan pengendalian infeksi pada perawatan scaling di klinik pendidikan Jurusan Kesehatan Gigi Kupang telah dilaksanakan namun belum optimal. Mahasiswa memakai handscoen tanpa mencuci tangan terlebih dahulu dan tidak mengenakan kaca mata saat tindakan scaling.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (09) ◽  
pp. 1040-1046
Author(s):  
Saba Savul ◽  
Farida Khurram Lalani ◽  
Aamer Ikram ◽  
Muhammad Amjad Khan ◽  
Mumtaz Ali Khan ◽  
...  

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections represent a global public health challenge and are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is a neglected area in healthcare facilities across Pakistan. The objective of our study was to elucidate the current state of infection prevention and control practices in public sector hospitals of Islamabad to underscore potential areas for improvement. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November and December 2019 at five public sector hospitals of Islamabad. The World Health Organization’s Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF) was used to assess the strengths and weaknesses of hospitals regarding infection prevention and control. Adapted tools derived from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Infection Prevention Society were used for detailed assessment of various departments. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016. Results: In all five hospitals, the total IPCAF score was less than 200 denoting that infection prevention and control implementation is deficient and significant improvement is needed. The median IPCAF score was 117.5 with an interquartile range of 53.75. With the exception of central sterile services unit at one hospital, departments at all hospitals failed to meet even 50% of required IPC standards. Conclusions: Significant change is needed to improve the existent situation of infection prevention and control in public sector hospitals of Islamabad. This would involve establishment of functional programs, development and implementation of infection prevention and control guidelines and provision of adequate supplies.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e045940
Author(s):  
Xun Hou ◽  
Wenjie Hu ◽  
Lene Russell ◽  
Ming Kuang ◽  
Lars Konge ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo identify theoretical and technical aspects regarding treatment, prevention of spread and protection of staff to inform the development of a comprehensive training curriculum on COVID-19 management.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingNine hospitals caring for patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China.Participants134 Chinese healthcare professionals (74 doctors and 60 nurses) who were deployed to Wuhan, China during the COVID-19 epidemic were included. A two-round Delphi process was initiated between March and May 2020. In the first round, the participants identified knowledge, technical and behavioural (ie, non-technical) skills that are needed to treat patients, prevent spread of the virus and protect healthcare workers. In round 2, the participants rated each item according to its importance to be included in a training curriculum on COVID-19. Consensus for inclusion in the final list was set at 80%.Primary outcome measuresKnowledge, technical and behavioural (ie, non-technical) skills that could form the basis of a training curriculum for COVID-19 management.ResultsIn the first round 1398 items were suggested by the doctors and reduced to 67 items after content analysis (treatment of patients: n=47; infection prevention and control: n=20). The nurses suggested 1193 items that were reduced to 70 items (treatment of patients: n=49; infection prevention and control: n=21). In round 2, the response rates were 82% in doctors and 93% in nurses. Fifty-eight items of knowledge, technical and behavioural skills were agreed on by the doctors to include in the final list. For the nurses, 58 items were agreed on.ConclusionsThis needs assessment process resulted in a comprehensive list of knowledge, technical and behavioural skills for COVID-19 management. Educators can use these to guide decisions regarding content of training curricula not only for COVID-19 management but also in preparation for future viral pandemic outbreaks.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Ward ◽  
Abimbola Phillips ◽  
Olusola Oresanya ◽  
Gloria Olisenekwu ◽  
Ekundayo Arogunade ◽  
...  

Abstract IntroductionSeasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a WHO-recommended intervention for children aged 3-59 months living in areas of high malaria transmission to provide protection against malaria during the rainy season. Operational guidelines were developed, based on WHO guidance, to support countries to mitigate the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission within communities and among community distributors when delivering SMC.MethodsA cross-sectional study to determine adherence to infection prevention and control measures during two distribution cycles of SMC in Nigeria, Chad and Burkina Faso. Community distributors were observed receiving equipment and delivering SMC. Adherence across six domains was calculated as the proportion of indications in which the community distributor performed the correct action. Focus group discussions were conducted with community distributors to understand their perceptions of the infection prevention and control measures and barriers and facilitators to adherence.ResultsWe observed community distributors in Nigeria (n=259), Burkina Faso (n=252) and Chad (n=266) receiving infection prevention and control equipment and delivering SMC. Adherence to infection prevention and control indications varied. In all three countries, adherence to mask use was the highest (ranging from 73.3% in Nigeria to 86.9% in Burkina Faso). Adherence to hand hygiene for at least 30 seconds was low (ranging from 3.6% in Nigeria to 10.3% in Burkina Faso) but increased substantially when excluding the length of time spent hand washing (ranging from 36.7% in Nigeria to 61.4% in Burkina Faso). Adherence to safe distancing in the compound ranged from 5.4% in Chad to 16.4% in Nigeria. In Burkina Faso and Chad, where disinfection wipes widely available compliance with disinfection of blister packs for SMC was low (17.4% in Burkina Faso and 16.9% in Chad). Community distributors generally found the infection prevention and control measures acceptable, however there were barriers to optimal hand hygiene practices, cultural norms made social distancing difficult to adhere to and caregivers needed assistance to administer the first dose of SMC.ConclusionAdherence to infection prevention and control measures for SMC delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic varied across domains of infection prevention and control, but was largely insufficient, particularly for hand hygiene and safe distancing. Improvements in provision of equipment, early awareness raising and adaptations to make infection prevention and control measures more feasible to implement could increase adherence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (T1) ◽  
pp. 429-432
Author(s):  
John Rene Labib ◽  
Sally Kamal ◽  
Marwa Rashad Salem ◽  
Eman D. El Desouky ◽  
Ahmed Taher Mahmoud

AIM: The researchers conducted the study to assess intensive care units (ICUs) preparedness in Cairo University Hospitals to deal efficiently and effectively with COVID-19 upcoming waves. METHODS: An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted at Cairo University Intensive Care Units 6 pediatric ICUs, and 2 adult ICUs in the period from the end of February to the first week of March, 2020; almost 2 weeks after the appearance of the first case of COVID-19 in Egypt by hand-delivered questionnaire method with one of the ICU staff members who were available and have time to take part in the study. WHO checklist for hospital readiness was used; this checklist based on current knowledge and available evidence on the COVID-19 pandemic for WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The WHO has developed the checklist to help hospital managers prepare for COVID-19 patient management by optimizing each hospital’s capacities. The list composed of 10 key components: (1) Leadership and coordination; (2) operational support, logistics and supply management; (3) information; (4) communication; (5) human resources; (6) continuity of essential services and surge capacity; (7) rapid identification; (8) diagnosis; (9) isolation and case management; and (10) infection prevention and control. RESULTS: The overall preparedness in both pediatric and adult ICUs was 54%. Overall, adult ICUs were more prepared than pediatric ICUs, especially in communication; continuity of essential services and surge capacity; rapid identification; diagnosis; isolation; and case management. Both of them were comparable regarding operational support, logistics and supply management; human resources; and infection prevention and control, while information component was lower in both types but reached critical values 10% in adult ones. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrated the intermediate readiness of ICUs at initial outbreak; further assessment during different phases of pandemic is required. Continues education of HCWs and active communication should be established.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Alexander Wachholz ◽  
Ruth Caldeira de Melo ◽  
Alessandro Ferrari Jacinto ◽  
Paulo Jose Fortes Villas Boas

Objectives: To evaluate the adherence of Brazilian long-term care facilities(LTCFs) to the World Health Organization(WHO) infection prevention and control(IPC) guidance, and examine its association with LTCF size. Methods: Cross-sectional study of LTCF managers. We classified adherence using a global adherence score as (1)excellent for LTCFs following ≥14 recommendations, (2)good for those following 10-13, and (3)poor for those following <10 recommendations. LTCF size was established as small, medium, and large according to a 2-step cluster analysis. We used descriptive statistics and chi-square tests at a 5% significance level. Results:308(85.1%) out of 362 facilities adhered to 14 or more recommendations. We found a lower adherence to screening visitors(p=0.037) and isolating patients until they have 2 negative laboratory tests(p=0.032) in larger facilities. Discussion: Preparedness for mitigating COVID-19 in Brazilian LTCFs was considered excellent for most recommendations, regardless of LTCF size. Maintaining a sufficient stock of materials, workforce management, and financial distress were the most prevalent difficulties.


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