LAHORE, Oct 21: In the absence of basic facilities for hand washing in most public hospitals, some 91 per cent doctors and paramedics are not observing this practice after examining patients, reveals a study of the Pakistan Medical Research Council (PMRC).

“Hand washing is one of the most vital procedures for preventing Nosocomial Infection in hospitals. It prevents potentially fatal spread of infection from patient to patient and from patient to health care workers in a health care setting,” the study says.

The study has been conducted to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice patterns of hand washing in several public sector hospitals of the country.

Two doctors, a head nurse, a junior/student nurse and a dispenser/dresser/trainee technician were interviewed in each of the selected hospitals. Pro forma was used to collect the information; besides an observational form was also filled to see the actual facilities available and the practice pattern of the staff. A total of 386 individuals, including 191 doctors, were interviewed.

It has been noted that the facility for hand washing is available at only 17 per cent units but only nine per cent doctors and paramedics of them bother to use it.

“Around 48 per cent doctors and 70 per cent paramedics stated that they were practicing hand washing after examining every patient but when observed only nine per cent were doing so. A majority of them used toilet soap, which they had purchased by themselves and 33 per cent were of the view that hand washing practice with soap and water was not adequate to prevent infection. Most of them (58 per cent) said that if the facility was provided they would perform hand washing regularly”, the study says.

It says that water was not available for hand washing at 66 per cent places. There was no washbasin at 61 per cent units and detergent was not available at 68 per cent places. At some places these facilities were available to senior doctors only while junior doctors and other staff were not allowed to use it, it says and adds that gloves were not available at 71 per cent units.

General cleanliness of the hospitals recorded 22 per cent as bad, 51 per cent adequate and only 27 per cent as good.

The results of the PMRC study show that at most places basic facilities for hand washing are not available. A majority of doctors and paramedical staff is not practicing hand washing after examining patients, therefore, it is recommended that hand washing facilities should be provided at all places of hospitals where patients are examined.

“Health education should be provided regularly through print and electronic media and workshops to create awareness about hand washing benefits. Senior doctors should make sure that they adhere to this practice and also keep a check on their juniors in this regard,” the study recommends.