Knowledge of Healthcare Professionals on WHO and Hygiene Guidelines at The Surgical Emergency Department, Tripoli Central Hospital: An Audit

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a global liability afflicting healthcare facilities indiscriminately. Emphasis on the importance of preventative measures through continuous surveillance and prioritizing the promotion of healthcare workers (HCWs) hygiene best practices in health care could in due course ease the burden of elongated hospital admissions due to antimicrobial resistance of microorganisms. The primary objective of this audit was to observe, evaluate and further raise awareness amongst staff on the critical importance of comprehensive hand hygiene, then reassess any changes and help support improvements to practice. The standard used to conduct this audit is the WHO guidelines for hand hygiene which were published in 2009, combined with a questionnaire to be used as a tool to evaluate familiarity with hand hygiene knowledge. The results were analyzed in a percentage-based fashion to collate the data representatively. Questions answered correctly were scored one point, whereas incorrect answers were scored nil. A cumulative comparison was later produced to express a summative statement on the standard of knowledge within our emergency department practices. Out of the 120 distributed WHO Hand hygiene questionnaires, we received a response rate of 81%(n=97); of which 63% (n=61) were males and 37% (n=36) were females. Our conclusion shows that the level of HCW’s level of knowledge of the WHO hand hygiene guideline is lacking in certain areas. However, we cannot conclude where the deficit originates. It is undeniable further education, and awareness needs to be raised alongside uninterrupted monitoring, for the purpose of quality control.