Lack of standardization and workflow disruptions may contribute to low adherence to infection control policies in emergency departments, according to research from the American Journal of Infection Control.
Columbia university researchers compiled a meta-analysis of nearly 36 papers on infection control in EDs. They found:
- Hand hygiene compliance ranged from 7.7 percent to 89.7 percent.
- Only 69.7 percent of urinary catheter insertions were justifiable/warranted.
- Catheter training and insertion practices varied greatly, and adherence to any given catheter policy was no greater than 58 percent at any hospital studied.
- ED equipment was consistently contaminated.
Researchers concluded more study of infection control in the ED is needed, as it is rarely studied, though it appears designing and adhering to effective infection control practices are not currently priorities in ED settings.
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