Ayse Akbiyik
Ege University, Turkey
Title: The infection prevention and control practices of ambulance service
Biography
Biography: Ayse Akbiyik
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this research is to comprehensively evaluate the infection prevention and control practices of ambulance service. Methods: This cross section survey was carried out between June-September 2010, in Izmir. The study sample consisted of 213 ambulance service workers, all the emergency and rescue station buildings and ambulance vehicles. A questionnaire and two check-list forms were used as a means of data collection. Results: Within the framework of the employees’ responses, of 40 items of infection prevention and control criteria that is required to be met for ambulance service, an average 25 (24.86±4.09) were met while 15 weren’t. In the observational controls, it was found that the infection prevention and control criteria for ambulance vehicles were met with an average of 32.96±5.22. It was found that of 50 items of the criteria for infection prevention and control of ambulance vehicles, 33 were met while 17 weren’t. According to observational controls, of 17 items of infection prevention and control criteria for emergency and rescue station buildings, an average of 6 (5.88±1.52) were met while 11 weren’t. Conclusion: The questionnaire responses given by the ambulance personnel and observation controls made in the ambulance vehicles and emergency and rescue station buildings by the researchers suggest that the criteria set for infection prevention and control practices were not met at a satisfactory level, which meant the infection prevention and control practices were not in sufficient condition. It is advised that an IPC guideline which includes standards and procedures to be followed by ambulance service personel should be prepared.