Viral Hepatitis B&C In Hemodialysis Units: Preventive Practices Toward Machine, Equipment, Environment and Waste Management

Research Abstract

Background: The ministry of health and population and infection control department has been using a scoring system to evaluate ongoing infection control programs in different hospitals. Through effective, this system could be revised and validated using current knowledge and evidence-based protocols and guidelines. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess preventive practices toward machine, equipment, environment and waste management that managed by hemodialysis nursing staffs with elderly viral hepatitis C and B in hemodialysis units. Design: A descriptive exploratory design was utilized in the current study. Setting: The study was carried out in two hemodialysis units at Beni-Suef University Hospital and Elwasta General Hospital in Beni-Suef Governorate. Subjects: A convenient sample of 76 hemodialysis nurses, of whom 22 were men and 54 women. Results: all (100%) of the dialysis nurses use a clean machine to start dialysis, while 48.7% clean the machine during dialysis session as needed. Additionally, 35% of them were incompetent regarding preventive practices related to practices toward machine & equipment in dialysis units. All (100.0% & 100.0%) of the dialysis nurses reported that, there is separate bathroom/toilets for staff, patients and air conditioning inside the unit, respectively. However, 55% of them were incompetent regarding preventive practices related to practices toward environment in dialysis units; 84.2% and 78.9% of the dialysis nurses place waste products in separate large plastic bags labeled with the unit’s name and there is garbage collection and transfer limited duration consistent with the circumstances and the volume of work, respectively. In addition, 63.2% of them were incompetent regarding toward safe waste management. Conclusion: there is statistically significant relation between dialysis nurses' practice and their years of experience in nursing field unit, nurses' experience in dialysis, and their attending training program for improving nursing skills. Recommendations: Reinforce HDUs with nurses with Bachelor degree and postgraduate studies to serve as models and leaders.

Research Keywords

viral hepatitis b&c; hemodialysis; preventive practices