Infection prevention and waste management audit in the MCH department -Busia County Referral Hospital July 2019

Abstract

Background: The primary principle of IPC describes a series of safe methods to ensure the protection of those vulnerable to acquiring Nosocomial infections in health care Settings. Methods and materials: We conducted a departmental walkthrough/audit to determine compliance and commitment of the MCH department staff and its users to infection prevention/waste management practises. The following areas were assessed; availability of hand washing facilities, segregation of wastes, availability and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPEs),trainings and capacity building, immunization status of staffs and environmental sanitation. Aim was to describe compliance to IPC/Waste management practices among MCH Department users by: Person's i.e,Technical Staff, Interns/Students, Support staff. Place, MCH departments Results: Results/Findings‘ There were hand washing stations in 5 (50%) 0f the 10 sections at the MCH department ie, Immunization room, Patients clerking room, PMTCT room, Pharmacy and the Laboratory section. However, Patients waiting bay, Registration room, Nutritional support, Cold room and HTS rooms had no hand washing facilities at all. All the patients attending MCH clinic lacked information on hand washing stations in the department whereas all the staffs knew at least where to hand wash however, distribution was inconsistent. Waste segregation was poor across all the sections in the MCH department. Availability of sharp boxes 100%, Availability of 3 colour code bins 0%, Proper segregation of wastes 0%. Availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) stands at 50% & the main challenge was in the Immunization section (No powder free gloves) whereas PPE usage was at 26% (5) out of 19 (74%) staff (including students interns) were in proper PPEs. 36% (7) of the staff on duty had received at least a dose of Hepatitis B vaccine though none of them had completed the 3 doses. MCH department environmental cleanliness was good. However, there is need to erect a signage to direct patients on the disposal of used cotton swabs in the waste receptacle outside the department. Conclusion: There is need to strengthen IPC and waste segregation practices in the department and entire Hospital. Handwashing is key in infection prevention therefore hand washing facilities should be installed in all sections.