Evaluation of Programs of Infection Control related to Healthcare Assistance in Hospitals

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the Infection Control Programs in the state of Paraná’s hospitals, considering a hypothesis of a minimum overall performance of 75%. Method This was a cross-sectional study of procedural evaluation, using a previously established instrument comprised of four indicators that evaluate the technical-operational structure (PCET), the operational guidelines (PCDO), the system of epidemiological surveillance (PCET), and activities of control and prevention (PCCP). The study was carried out between 2013 and 2014 in 50 hospitals for the initial sample. Results The overall compliance obtained was 71.0% (23.88pd), with the indicators of PCET being 79.4% (18.9pd); PCVE 76.0% (30.5pd); PCDO 65.5% (26.9pd); and PCCP 63.2%/(39.5pd). There was statistical significance to indicate the greater performance of PCIRAS in carrying out internal audits (p=0.0099), quality certification (p=0.01949), exclusive nurses (p<0.0001), contracted or permanent medical professionals (p=0.0005), longer work schedule of doctors exclusively dedicated for 4 hours (p=0.001), greater experience of doctors (p=0.0028) and nurses (p=0.0094). Conclusion The general compliance of these programs did not prove the hypothesis originally formulated, due to the PCDO and PCCP indicators. As such, it is possible to argue that the programs demonstrate the minimal suitability for their operations and to carry out the epidemiological surveillance of HAI, but they are impaired by the quantitative and qualitative insufficiency of the operational guidelines (PCDO) and the actions for control and prevention of these infections (PCCP).