Situation Analysis and Sustainability of Infection Control Practices in a Private Dental Institution – A Mixed Methods Research
Bhumika Rathore, Pushpanjali KrishnappaAbstract
Context:
Although the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for infection control and waste management are present since years, recent literature includes no reports on how Indian dentists manage cross-infection control, biomedical waste management, and the costs involved in the implementation of these policies and procedures.
Aims:
The aim of this study was to conduct a situation analysis of the infection control practices in an institution and estimate the costs involved in making these practices sustainable.
Settings and Design:
A mixed methods research methodology was followed, as the data were collected by a qualitative method and analyzed in a quantitative manner.
Materials and Methods:
An interview was conducted with the Hospital Infection Control Committee chairman to probe into the policy issues, verification of records was done to collect the data
Statistical Analysis:
Descriptive statistics were obtained using SPSS version 20.
Results:
The interview revealed the policies for infection control and the strategies for implementation. The overall efficiency of hand hygiene was 46%, gloving was 59.7%, mouth masking was 51%, donning of personal protective equipment was 47.9%, vaccination was 22.22%, patient care equipment was 67.6%, clinical contact surface disinfection was 22%, and waste management efficiency was 69%.
Conclusions:
Without a proper immunization status, appropriate personal protective equipment, lack of reinforcement for training sessions, and compliance with infection control policy, infections among patients and DHCPs could be at a rise. This research was able to recognize the missing links between the macro areas and process areas, i.e. the policies existing in the institution and their implementation. An intensive training program with focus on training undergraduates for infection control practices and reinforcement of training among waste handlers can be further planned.