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  3. 8. An Audit of Infection Control Measures and their Relationship with Infection Rate among Burn Patients at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad
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8. An Audit of Infection Control Measures and their Relationship with Infection Rate among Burn Patients at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad

Original Article

 

Infection Control and Infection Rate among Burn Patients

An Audit of Infection Control Measures and their Relationship with Infection Rate among Burn Patients at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad

Abdullah Mahmood, Firdous Khan and Muhammad Faizan Abbasi

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the infection control protocols followed in our unit and see their impact on infection rate and patient outcome.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad over a period of six months from January 1st, 2024 to June 30th, 2024.

Methods: A review of infection control protocols currently followed in our unit was made using a structured Performa. Data was collected only for those burn patients who developed signs of sepsis 48 hours after admission. Compliance to various protocols was determined and their relationship with infection rate was analyzed using Pearson Chi-square test with P value ≤ 0.05 taken as significant.

Results: Various lapses in infection control have been identified, including the lack of PPE and autoclave, inadequate use of hand sanitizer by staff and attendants, and non-compliance with proper cleaning and dressing practices. The overall infection rate was 68.8%. Appropriate cleaning of dressing room reduced infection rates to 30.9%, while reusing linen and inappropriate dressings increased rates to 87.3% (p value = 0.03 and 0.000 respectively). Attendants visiting multiple patients carried an infection rate of 89.1% (p value=0.000).

Conclusion: This audit underscores the critical role of rigorous infection control measures in determining outcomes for burn patients. Gaps in infection preventions were identified. Recommendations include ongoing education of staff, doctors and patient’s attendants, adherence to protocols and repeated audits.

Key Words: Multi Drug Resistant Organisms, Infection Control Measures, Infection Rate

Citation of article: Mahmood A, Khan F, Abbasi MF. An Audit of Infection Control Measures and their Relationship with Infection Rate among Burn Patients at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. Med Forum 2024;35(8):37-41. doi:10.60110/medforum.350808.