Observance of Infection Control and Sterilization Standards in Limited Surgical Centers of Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Successful control of hospital infections requires appropriate preventive measures, achieved when hospital staff meets the principles of infection control. The present study was conducted to determine the rate of compliance with infection and sterilization control standards in limited surgical centers of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in all active limited surgical centers affiliated to the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (eight centers). The standard measures of infection control and sterilization were assessed in four domains including standard precautions, hand hygiene, disinfection and sterilization of equipment, and environmental health.

The rate of compliance with infection and sterilization control standards was 74% in the limited surgical centers. The rate of compliance was 55% for standard precautions, 30% for hand hygiene, 67.5% for equipment disinfection and sterilization, and 64.6% for environmental health.

The infection control and sterilization standards for hand hygiene are less adhered to in limited surgical centers. Therefore, it is necessary to provide complete, correct training on hospital infections and the ways of control for promoting the performance of staff.