Infection Prevention and Control practices; an exploratory qualitative study of experiences of health care providers and support staff at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

Background: Infection Prevention and Control is a public health concern to abate Hospital Acquired Infections. Hospital Acquired Infections are known to complicate clinical care, increase length of stay in hospitals and particularly have disturbing effects on patients recovery as well as devastating effects on health care facilities, especially in low resource settings. However, with effective infection prevention practices, the Microorganisms can be eradicated through proper hand hygiene practices of the health workers and proper waste management and disposal/adequate environmental sanitation. We explored the experiences of health care providers and support staffing infection prevention practices in selected clinical areas at the University Teaching Hospital, in Lusaka. Material and Methods: This was a qualitative study that used an exploratory research design. The exploratory design allowed the participants to give in-depth narratives from their work environments as well as enabled the researcher to observe their Infection Prevention Practices. The observations provided an opportunity to make varied conclusions on compliance to infection prevention practices. The researcher collected data using an interview guide from the thirty (30) study respondents. Observations were conducted in their work environments to strengthen the conclusions made. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and then imported into Nvivo Version 11 for data management and analysis. Thematic analysis guided the conclusions made in the study. Results: Three main themes emerged from the data analyzed: These were existing guidelines on selected Infection Prevention and Control guidelines; Knowledge and use of the Infection Prevention and Control guidelines, and compliance to Infection Prevention and Control guidelines by health care providers and support staff. The participants demonstrated good understanding of the benefits of observing standard IPC guidelines in the workplace, barriers to compliance were reported in almost all the sites. Staff turnover, limitations in infrastructural, and heavy clinical workloads led to lapses in compliance with Infection Prevention Practices. Conclusion: The study recommends the setting up of an effective and efficient Infection Prevention and Control Committee at the University Teaching Hospital. The committee should oversee the proper functioning of all safety and occupational Health activities and compliance to all infection prevention and control guidelines in the clinical areas and hospital environment by ensuring effective hand hygiene practices using elbow operated taps and proper medical waste disposal starting with the use of foot operated bins and compliance to all existing infection prevention guidelines in all clinical areas within the hospital.. Keywords: Infection Prevention & Control, Hospital Acquired Infections, Health Care Providers Support staff, University Teaching Hospital