Assessment of Existing Practices in the Operating Theatre in the Khartoum North Teaching Hospital; Sudan

This study; assessing existing practices in the operating theatre regarding hand washing; disinfection and sterilisation; was conducted at Khartoum North Teaching Hospital. As far as we know; this is the first study of its kind since the inauguration of the hospital in 1950. A total of 55 health personnel working in the operating theatre participated in the study. These included nurses and environmental service personnel (housekeepers and sterilisation and disinfection personnel). Knowledge and practice were evaluated using multiple choice and direct interview questions. Operation theatre sterilisation and disinfection practices were monitored using checklists modified from World Health Organization recommendations. A marked lack of knowledge and defective attitudes and practices were observed among a large number of personnel. It was observed that 51of the nurses were 46 years of age or older and that two-thirds had only a primary and intermediate school level education. The study recommends the upgrading of the operating theatres and additional training and education of staff. Theatres should be provided with facilities for proper disinfection and waste disposal. Qualified nurses should be employed. We also recommend the establishment of an infection control committee. The role of the committee would include the planning and execution of hygiene policies. In addition; planning and organising training courses in infection control should be seen as a priority

Prévention des infections au cours des activités de bloc opératoire dans les maternités de référence au sud du Benin

L'infection represente la troisieme cause de deces maternel au Benin. Elle est cependant evitable dans nos maternites. Qu'en est-il de sa prevention dans les maternites au sud du Benin. Cette etude est prospective; descriptive et transversale du 1er janvier au 31 mars 2004. Nous avons observe 183 prestataires : Le port de blouse de bloc operatoire; de calot et de bavette n'est effectif que dans 30;1des circonstances ou ils sont recommandes. Le niveau de pratique d'antisepsie est bon a 55;2.La proce- dure de decontamination est bonne a 97;8.La sterilisation est mal realisee par 65;1des prestataires. Le niveau de bonne pratique de prevention des infections dans les maternites est bas; 16;0des prestataires dans les maternites visitees. Il apparait necessaire de developper un programme national de prevention des infections et de creer dans chaque hopital un comite de lutte contre les infections nosocomiales