Audit Report: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Infection Prevention and Control Programs in Healthcare Facilities

Infection prevention and control (IPC) programs are important for the prevention of infection among patient and health care workers in healthcare facilities to reduce healthcare associated infections (HAIs). Analyses showed that the rates of HAI have increased globally even with developments in medical practices, therefore, evaluation of the IPC implementation should continue. Aim: This paper assesses the IPC knowledge, practice, and compliance in selected healthcare facilities: how IPC is implemented, challenges faced and HCW’s perceptions to recognize gaps for improvement to the safety of patients. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of HCWs used structured questionnaires administered to 200 HCWs from various posts in healthcare facilities. Exploratory and descriptive analysis of quantitative and qualitative data was done to evaluate IPC practice adherence, implementation challenges, and differences by department. Results: The findings were that adherence to hand washing was at 68%, use of PPE was at 75%, and sterilization practices of equipment and instruments at 82%. The emergency department exhibited the lowest compliance rates (hand hygiene: The overall infection rate is 62% while the PPE is 65%) and found to have the highest HAI rate of 7.1/1,000 patient days. General wards reported the highest compliance and lowest HAI rates (hand hygiene: (SS: 75%; PPE: 85%; HAI: 4.8/1,000 patient days). This study reveals that training effectiveness was high concerning practical demonstrations with a satisfaction of 82%, but low concerning the frequency of training sessions with only 65% satisfaction. Conclusion: Enhancing compliance needs interventions such as regularly scheduled training, increased surveillance, and IPC targeted approaches following risk areas such as emergency and ICU. Such measures have the potential to lower HAIs and enhance global healthcare provision.