The Most Important Measures in Reducing Infection Control in the Anesthesia Work Environment: An Evidence-Based Study

Younes  Barazesh; Parisa  Moradimajd; Azam  Saei; Jamileh  Abolghasemi; Mohammad-Mahdi  Azizi-Darbandi

doi:10.18502/aacc.v11i1.17487

Younes Barazesh Department of Anesthesiology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Parisa Moradimajd Department of Anesthesiology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Azam Saei Research Center for Trauma in Police Operations, Directorate of Health, Rescue & Treatment, Police Headquarter, Tehran, Iran.
Jamileh Abolghasemi Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad-Mahdi Azizi-Darbandi Department of Anesthesiology and Operating Room, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/aacc.v11i1.17487

Keywords: Anesthesia work environment; Infection prevention; Standard precautions

Abstract

Background: Anesthesia providers cross-contaminate their work environment. The hands of anesthesia providers are vectors for the transmission of infection between medical equipment in the anesthesia work environment and patients. The high work density of anesthesia providers around the patient has made it important to monitor infection control in the work environment and anesthesia procedures. This research aimed to find the best evidence for preventing or reducing infection in the anesthesia work environment.

Methods: The measures required for the guidelines in the field of infection control in the anesthesia work environment were determined according to the available resources and the use of expert opinions of anesthesiologists and faculty members. Then, the guidelines for infection control in the anesthesia work environment were designed based on the evidence-based method (Stettler model). Also, it has been implemented in a limited way in the operating room. To assess the validity of the approach used in calculating the content validity coefficient (CVR) and the content validity index (CVI), Finally, the Test-Retest method, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient were used to determine reliability.

Results: The guidelines for infection control in the anesthesia work environment were designed using evidence-based methods (Stettler's model). The content validity of anesthesia procedures requiring infection control guidelines was reported with a content validity index (CVI) of more than 0.79 and a content validity ratio (CVR) of more than 0.59. The reliability test was measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.806).

Conclusion: Based on this study, the use of global infection control guidelines changes the attitude of anesthesia nurses and reduces the rate of infection in the anesthesia work environment. Also, the use of evidence-based methods facilitates the implementation of guidelines in the target environment.