Survey of isolation room equipment and resources in an academic hospital - ProQuest

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• The infection control team instigated the present study to improve overall adherence of isolation practices through the evaluation of isolation rooms and associated equipment.

• Failure to use isolation precautions correctly can lead to disease transmission and lead to occupational exposure of healthcare workers

• Standard precautions are required for each patient and include hand hygiene, safe injection practices, utilisation of masks for lumbar punctures/catheters, as well as safe handling and decontamination of equipment and surfaces.

• Evidence has shown that healthcare workers have diverse attitudes, understanding and compliance with established infection control guidelines, which may contribute to the growing problem

• compliance with infection control protocols has not necessarily improved

• Disinfection equipment is an important consideration in the prevention of HAIs

• An observational study demonstrated 50 per cent of staff donned gloves and gowns when entering isolation rooms

• accessibility of isolation equipment, however, may be a key component to healthcare worker adherence.

• healthcare professionals cite a significant barrier to adherence to precautions is sufficient access to protective equipment

• nursing students report being noncompliant with isolation precautions due to a lack of resources

• largest deficit was the availability of resources for disinfection and single-use equipment.