ABSTRACT
Aim: Infection control is crucial in any clinical setting. It is vital that all dentists must follow the infection control protocols in their clinics to prevent cross-infection. In a dental clinic, even simple dental procedures including extractions, scaling and root planning, dental crown preparations and root canal treatment, have a high risk of exposure to blood, which may cause transmission blood-borne diseases. Dentist’s compliance with these guidelines and recommendations have been recently studied in different parts of the world. Hence this study was performed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding infection control measures among private dental practioners in Karachi, Pakistan.Study Design:Cross-sectional study.Place and Duration of Study:This study was conducted for a period of four months in Karachi, Pakistan. Materialsand Methods: Present cross–sectional study was performed by interviewing 234dentists via a questionnaire based upon various questions regarding infection control. Sample were collected using convenience sampling, from private dental clinics in Karachi, Pakistan. Setting:Questionnaire were sent to 400 general dentist in Karachi,out of which 234 replied.Results: Mostly (69%) dentists who took part in the study were males. Regarding infection control, most of the individuals had a comprehensive understanding of infection control techniques. Isolation was considered to play a vital role in cross-infection prevention by 97.3% of the dentists. 93.2% used autoclave for sterilization and majority had thorough knowledge of the process involved. Regarding preventive measures, 66.7% of the dentists were vaccinated against major infectiousagents in our society and 92.2% took protective measures required to prevent cross-infection.Conclusion: Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding infection control of dentists in private clinic of Karachi, Pakistan are satisfactory.
ABSTRACT
Introduccion: la eficacia de los preparados de base alcohólica para manos con etanol al 80% o alcohol isopropílico al 75% como alternativa al lavado de manos con jabón normal o antimicrobiano constituyen el objeto del Reto Mundial en pro de la Seguridad del Paciente: "Una atención limpia es una atención más segura". Objetivo: medir eficacia para eliminación de gérmenes del preparado de base alcohólica para manos propuesto por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Materiales y metodos: se incluyeron 103 trabajadores sanitarios, 17.5% médicos y 82.5% enfermeras que laboraban en un hospital. Se tomaron 332 muestras antes y después de cada técnica. Resultados: se identificaron 28.3% muestras con unidades formadoras de colonias previo a lavado de manos y 15.3% en la posterior (p= 0.234); con preparado de base alcohólica para manos en la muestra previa 25.6% y después de la higiene 2.4% (p= 0.000). Se identificaron Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo en el 25.9% y Gram negativos en 2.1% de las muestras, en 4 casos se aisló Enterobacter sp. La receta de base alcohólica para manos fue eficaz antes y después de la higiene con preparado de base alcohólica (RR 0.10 IC 95% 0.02-0.39), al compararla con el lavado con agua y jabón (RR 0.12 IC 95% 0.03-0.5). La técnica de lavado de manos no fue eficaz (RR 0.71 IC 95% 0.43- 1.18). Conclusion: el preparado de base alcohólica para manos hecho con la receta sugerida por la Organización Mundial de la Salud es más eficaz en la eliminación de gérmenes de las manos que el lavado de manos con jabón. (Acta Med Colomb 2011; 36: 181-186).
Introduction: The effectiveness of alcohol-based handrub containing 80% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol 75%, as an alternative to handwashing with plain soap and water is the objective of global challenge for the safety of the patient, "Clean Care is Safer Care". Objective: To measure effectiveness on removing germs of Alcohol-based handrub proposed by the World Health Organization. Materials and methods: We included 103 health workers, 17.5% physicians and 82.5% nurses who worked in a hospital. 332 samples were taken before and after each technique Results: 28.3% samples were identified coloni forming units before handwashing and 15.3% in the posterior (p=0.234), with alcohol-based handrub in the sample previous 25.6% and after the hygiene 2.4% (p= 0.000). Coagulase-negative staphylococci were identified in 25.9% and 2.1% gram negative samples, in 4 cases was isolated Enterobacter sp. The alcohol-based handrub was effective when calculated before and handrubbing (RR 0.10 CI 0.02-0.39) when compared with the technique handwashing with soap and water (RR 0.12 CI 0.03- 0.5). The technique of handwashing was not effective (RR 0.71 CI 0.43-1.18) Conclusion: Alcohol-based handrub prepared using the suggested recipe by the World Health Organization is more effective in removing germs than handwashing with soap. (Acta Med Colomb 2011; 36: 181-186).