Assessment of Infection Control Process at Hemodialysis Units in Kurdistan Region

Abstract

Objective: to assess the infection control process in hemodialysis units and to find out the relation ship
between nurses practices and some of the demographic characteristics.
Methodology:٨descriptive study was conducted at hemodialysis units in Hawler hospital and Azad
hospital in Duhok Governorate, from 15th of January2004 to the end of May 2005
Non-probability Sampling was performed, a purposive sample of (40) Nurses who worked in
hemodialysis units, a purposive sample of (63) patients who were attending to the hemodialysis unit at
time of the data collection ,and taking swab from different site of vascular access (fistula, shunt).٨
checklist was constructed by investigator in regard to the purpose of the present study which included
the different tools were used through the data collection.
part one: -٨ checklist for environmental precaution concerning infection control.
Part two: A-questioner for Sociodemographic characteristic for nurses. B - observational checklist
form for nursing practice concerning infection Control.
Part three: -٨ questioner for socio and clinical demographic of ([559) patient B- patient practice
concerning infection Control.
Part four: Swab specimens were also gathered from vascular access site. Content validity of the
checklist was responses through panel of (16) experts. Reliability of checklist was determined through
use of inter-observer questionnaire for nursing practice and the test- retest for patient practice.
Results: The results of the study revealed that the presents of isolate room at hemodialsis unit for
patients with HBV. The result also revealed that the standard precaution that was applied in dialysis
unit concerning infection control was adequate application of standard precaution of ventilation with
٠
College of Nursing/ University of Irbil
٠٠ Adult Nursing Department /College of NursingاUniversity of Baghdad
74
Infection Control Process at Hemodialysis Units
grand mean of Score (2.00), sterilization of the dialysis machine, and walls and floor cleaning with
grand mean of score (1.85). The data analysis indicated that the majority of nurses were male, with age
group (21-30) years. And more than half of them graduated from institute. The result also indicated
(82.5%) of nurses had (1-3) years of experience in hemodialysis (95%) had no training session after
graduation.
Concerning nurse's practice, the data revealed inadequate practices related to cleaning patient’s
bed and linens management, fistula care and instrument preparation, isolation room, sharp equipment
management, drugs administration management and instruction. Significant differences were found
between nurse’s practices and place of work, and no significant differences were found between
nurse’s practice concerning infection control and certain variables such as sex, age, marital status, level
of education and years of experience in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
The result shows that the half of patients of dialysis were male, their age ranged between (51-60)
years and had (1-5) years history of renal failure. Regarding patient practice, the patient had high mean
ofscore for doing laboratory tests.
Recommendation: The study recommended that the periodic evaluation for the environmental nurse’s
practices concerning infection control at dialysis unit and continuous training and education should be
conducted for all the nursing staff.