Esther Paul
King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia
Title: Perspectives of healthcare workers on healthcare-associated infections and infection control in a tertiary care hospital in Abha, Saudi Arabia
Biography
Biography: Esther Paul
Abstract
The goal of the current study was to understand the perspectives of the healthcare workers on the current protocol and guidelines for HAI; infections control measures in the hospital and the effectiveness of the current protocols for HAI and infection control measures and ways of reducing the incidence of HAI. A qualitative research design was used to collect the data from twenty-five healthcare workers consisting of doctors and nurses, recruited by Snowball strategy via semi-structured interviews which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim immediately. An interview guide consisting of open-ended questions about the awareness of HAI and the existing HAI and infection control practices in the healthcare facility. The transcribed data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. Four themes were identified:
1. Knowledge of HAI and infection control
2. Infection control measures in practice
3. The gap in infection control measures and HAI
4. Required Implementations.
Most of the participants were aware of HAI, its significance and the dangers posed by HAI in a healthcare facility. However few residents had no idea of the types of HAI. There were some lacunae regarding the knowledge of the Personal Protective Equipment practices, communication among the healthcare personnel and the hospital administrations and the means of waste disposal. The current qualitative study concluded that there is a need for better educational programs and hands-on training for all the healthcare personnel including the paramedical staff as well. The residents should have adequate knowledge of infection control practices to guide the nurses and should share the responsibility with the nurses in the practice of effective infection control measures.