Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Student research committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
2 2. Assistant Professor of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, Department of Medical Emergencies, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iranian Research Center on Healthy Aging, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
4 Investigating the impact of implementing Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) in the infection control process on the adherence of emergency department nurses to infection control guidelines
Abstract
Background: Infection control in the emergency department is of paramount importance but no study has been conducted on the impact of FMEA on infection control in emergency departments. This study aimed to determine the effect of implementing the FMEA method on the level of adherence to infection control guidelines by nurses in the emergency department.
Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted using a convenience sampling method on 40 nurses working in the emergency department. The data collection tool was a checklist assessing infection control practices. A four-hour brainstorming session was held to gather expert opinions on improving, and enhancing strategies for infection control were approved and implemented. Nurses’ infection control behaviors were evaluated using the checklist both before and two weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed using frequency, mean, standard deviation, and paired t-test.
Results: The prioritized risks were handwashing, use of mask and goggles, adherence to safety precautions, gown usage, and glove usage, in a descending order. The mean age of participants was 32.10 ± 6.94 years. Hand rub was 23.02 ± 3.94, and 22.12 ± 3.88 before and after intervention respectively; but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.09). Significant improvements were observed in adherence to safety precautions and glove usage before and after the intervention (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The interventions had a significant effect on improving adherence to safety precautions and glove usage. Therefore, it is recommended that healthcare centers adopt the FMEA approach alongside conventional methods to enhance infection control practices.
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