Cross-Departmental Infection Control Practices Among Nurses, Dental Assistants, and Radiologic Technologists in a Tertiary Hospital in Riyadh

Background: Infection control in tertiary hospitals is a complex, multidisciplinary responsibility. While individual departments such as nursing, dental services, and radiology maintain their own protocols, inconsistencies across units may compromise patient safety and infection prevention outcomes.Objective: This study explored cross-departmental infection control practices among nurses, dental assistants, and radiologic technologists in a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the aim of identifying challenges, gaps, and opportunities for interprofessional alignment.Methods: A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was conducted involving 75 participants across nursing, dental, and radiology departments. Quantitative data were collected via structured questionnaires, while qualitative insights were drawn from semi-structured interviews. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze survey data, and thematic analysis was applied to interview transcripts.Results: Nurses demonstrated the highest levels of compliance with infection control protocols, while radiologic technologists reported lower adherence, particularly in equipment disinfection and interdepartmental communication. Key barriers included inconsistent training, siloed protocols, and unclear responsibilities regarding shared equipment. Participants strongly supported the need for standardized, cross-departmental infection control strategies.Conclusion: Infection control in tertiary care settings must extend beyond departmental boundaries. This study underscores the importance of unified protocols, interprofessional training, and shared accountability frameworks to reduce infection risks and improve patient outcomes.