Analysis of a SARS-CoV-2 daily screening programme for healthcare workers at a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, a quality improvement initiative

Background: Healthcare generates a large amount of healthcare waste (HCW), which is complex to manage because of its variety and potential to create health and safety hazards if improperly handled. It is essential that healthcare workers have appropriate knowledge of and adhere to proper disposal methods for each category of HCW.Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of staff working at a district hospital about HCW management, and measure associations between these variables. Setting: The setting for this study was a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal province.Methods: This was an observational descriptive study among 241 professional and non-professional staff. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.Results: Knowledge of HCW management was generally inadequate, with 42.7% of the participants scoring ‘poor’ overall. Just over half of the participants reported a good attitude towards the appropriate disposal of HCW but only 53.9% demonstrated good HCW management practices. There was a significant (p 0.05) relationship between knowledge and practice and between attitudes and practices (p 0.05).Conclusion: Appropriate training and supervision in HCW management as well as relevant and ongoing in-service training is needed to ensure appropriate knowledge, attitudes and safe practice among all members of staff. As poor practices have been reported on a number of occasions from different hospitals in South Africa, relevant training must also be introduced or improved at undergraduate level.

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Strategies to sustain a quality improvement initiative in neonatal resuscitation

African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine ◽

10.4102/phcfm.v8i2.958 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Carlien Van Heerden ◽

Carin Maree ◽

Elsie S. Janse van Rensburg

Keyword(s):

Quality Improvement ◽

Neonatal Mortality ◽

District Hospital ◽

Neonatal Resuscitation ◽

World Health ◽

Quality Improvement Initiative ◽

Neonatal Deaths ◽

Early Neonatal Mortality ◽

District Hospitals ◽

Resuscitation Training

Background: Many neonatal deaths can be prevented globally through effective resuscitation. South Africa (SA) committed towards attaining the Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4) set by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, SA’s district hospitals have the highest early neonatal mortality rates. Modifiable and avoidable causes associated with patient-related, administrative and health care provider factors contribute to neonatal mortality. A quality improvement initiative in neonatal resuscitation could contribute towards decreasing neonatal mortality, thereby contributing towards the attainment of the MDG4.Aim: The aim of this study was, (1) to explore and describe the existing situation regarding neonatal resuscitation in a district hospital, (2) to develop strategies to sustain a neonatal resuscitation quality improvement initiative and (3) to decrease neonatal mortality. Changes that occurred and the sustainability of strategies were evaluated.Setting: A maternity section of a district hospital in South Africa.Methods: The National Health Service (NHS) Sustainability Model formed the theoretical framework for the study. The Problem Resolving Action Research model was applied and the study was conducted in three cycles. Purposive sampling was used for the quantitative and qualitative aspects of data collection. Data was analysed accordingly.Results: The findings indicated that the strategies formulated and implemented to address factors related to neonatal resuscitation (training, equipment and stock, staff shortages, staff attitude, neonatal transport and protocols) had probable sustainability and contributed towards a reduction in neonatal mortality in the setting.Conclusion: These strategies had the probability of sustainability and could potentially improve neonatal outcomes and reduce neonatal mortality to contribute toward South Africa’s drive to attain the MDG4.

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