Evaluation of Compliance to Infection Control Protocols in the Governmental Hospitals in the West Bank/Palestine

Compliance with infection control protocols (ICP) can decrease nosocomial infections. The objectives of this study were to evaluate compliance of the hospitals’ administration, doctors and nurses to ICP in the governmental hospitals in the West Bank. The heads of infection control departments in the hospitals were interviewed first. Then a descriptive cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted between June and August, 2015. SPSS program (version 16) was used for data analysis. The study included 587 doctors and nurses. Only 150 (44.6%) said that there is a copy of ICP in their department and 221(38.0%) said that they had educational courses related to infection control. The nurses were more likely to receive educational courses; 47.4% nurses versus 24.5% doctors, P value <0.001. Most healthcare professionals (86.4%) received hepatitis B vaccination. Nurses were more likely to have vaccination; (90.7%) nurses versus (79.8%) doctors, P value <0 .001. Among respondents, 72.1% said that they always wash their hands after examining the patients. However, 42.6% only said that they always wear gloves when they examine the patients. The limitations reported included absence of enough resources (55.0%), absence of enough training programs (49.6%), absence of clear protocols (44.1%) and large number of patients (44.0%).Clear ICP are absent; knowledge regarding these protocols is not enough. Compliance of healthcare providers with ICP is suboptimal. It is recommended to have standardized Palestinian ICP. Education and training programs are highly recommended.