The knowledge of nurses on the disinfection of reusable objects and surfaces in clinical practice

Abstract

Introduction: Performing disinfection of reusable high-touch objects and surfaces is one of the important aspects in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. It is also important for the quality and safe provision of medical services. Nurses should have the knowledge to perform mechanical cleaning and disinfection, and of disinfectants, including the range of effectiveness, preparation, and method of application of disinfectants. Design: Cross-sectional quantitative research using a questionnaire. Methods: Quantitative research using the questionnaire technique was used to determine the knowledge of nurses about the principles of mechanical cleaning and disinfection of repeatedly used non-critical objects and areas in clinical practice. The research group consisted of 184 nurses from a selected regional hospital in the Czech Republic. Respondents from standard internal medicine and surgical departments participated in the research. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a statistical test. Results: The research found that 68.5% of nurses knew the procedure for the decontamination of work surfaces without the presence of biological material, and 51.1% of nurses knew the procedure for the decontamination of work trays with the presence of biological material. 51.1% of nurses were aware of the interpretation of the range of the effectiveness of disinfectants, and 65.2% of nurses were aware of the dilution of disinfectant solution. Conclusions: Based on the results of the research, we can state that nurses have adequate knowledge in some areas, but even so, it is necessary to provide regular training in the principles of decontamination of selected objects and areas used in nursing practice. Infections associated with health care can be influenced by following established hygienic-epidemiological principles.