Infection Control Procedures and Practices in Intensive Care Units of a General Hospital, Sana’a, Yemen

Abstract

Background: Patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) are at a greatest risk of health care associated infections (HAIs). Adherence to infection control (IC) precautions helps to prevent HAIs. Objective(s): To assess the infection control (IC) procedures and practices in intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted in ICUs of Althawra General Hospital in Sana'a, Republic of Yemen. All ICUs and their managers (n=12) and health care workers (n=200) made the target of the study. Data were collected using the IC assessment tool designed by the United States Agency for International Development (US-AID). It comprises modules for IC procedures and observation checklists for IC practices. Results: The IC procedures were poor regarding hand hygiene practices (49.1%), injection practices (25%), and type of catheters used in ICUs (16.7%). The IC practices of HCWs were poor regarding hand hygiene practices (30.2% in 46% of the ICUs), injection administration practices (35.7% in 34.5% of the ICUs) and waste disposal practices (23.5% in 92.5% of the ICUs). Conclusion: Infection control procedures and practices in ICUs of Althawra General Hospital were poor with respect to injection practices, type of catheters used in ICUs, hand hygiene practices, injection administration, and waste disposal. Recommendations: Improving the IC procedures regarding hand hygiene practices, injection practices, and type of catheters used in ICUs and addressing the IC practices of HCWs is a necessity.

Keywords

• infection control
• intensive care units
• practices of hcws.