Study of practicing the precautions of infection control at Medical Imaging Departments in Khartoum hospitals

Abstract

Every year, lives are lost because of the spread of infections in hospitals. Health care workers can take steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Ensuring effective Infection Prevention and Control practice on Imaging department or any other departments within the hospital is an essential way of preventing infection developing or spreading within the hospital setting. The study objective was to study the methods, practices and precautions with regards to infection control in Medical Imaging Department in Khartoum hospitals. A descriptive cross sectional studies that explaining and determined the level of applying infection prevention steps in Diagnostic Imaging Department. The study was done among 40 radiographers. The sample was obtained by simple random sampling technique. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the participants over a period of two months. The purpose of the study was explained to the radiographers and verbal consent was obtained. The confidentiality of the participants was assured through keeping the questionnaires in locked cabinets. 40 radiographers were recruited for this study, 26 male and 14 female all of them fill the questioner. 90% of participants mentioned that the radiology department is an area of infection evolution. Only 45% of participants are practicing hand hygiene regularly. Unavailability of medical sob and hand sanitizer in their hospitals was the main reason. The study showed that there is lack of information about the infection control program, the results of knowledge about the hands washing and hand rubbing practicing and durations is showing that. So, more educational programs (courses and trainings) with regards to latest information are highly recommended. Also, provide a cleared and updated policies and guidelines with affective infection control program, in addition to activate a strict incident reporting system to avoid repetition of incidents.