Central University of Technology, Free State, School of Health Technology, South Africa.
Int Dent J. 2010 Jun;60(3):181-9.
In a country where the prevalence of infectious diseases ranks among the highest in the world, infection control in health care facilities should not be debatable. This unfortunately does not seem to be the case in South African oral health care facilities. This study is a systematic review of available literature on the adherence of South African oral health care professionals to infection control recommendations. Nine focus areas were investigated with regard to infection control practices: knowledge of infectious occupational hazards; personal hygiene and care of hands; correct application of personal protective equipment; use of environmental barriers and disposable items; sterilisation (recirculation) of instruments and handpieces; disinfection (surfaces) and sound housekeeping; management of waste disposal; quality control of dental unit waterlines, biofilms and water; as well as other special considerations. Although South African studies are limited and most of them relied on self-reports, which could have resulted in a serious overestimation of compliance, even these studies indicate serious shortcomings with regard to infection control practices in oral health care facilities in this country. This review highlights opportunity for improvement. Furthermore, it identifies possibilities for future research in infection control and also opportunities to improve infection control education for all oral health care workers in the country.
在一个传染病流行率位居世界前列的国家，医疗机构的感染控制不应存在争议。但不幸的是，南非的口腔卫生保健机构似乎并非如此。本研究对南非口腔卫生保健专业人员遵守感染控制建议的现有文献进行了系统评价。调查了感染控制实践的九个重点领域：了解传染性职业危害；个人卫生和手部护理；正确使用个人防护设备；使用环境屏障和一次性物品；器械和手机的消毒（再循环）；表面消毒和良好的内务管理；废物处理管理；牙科器械水路、生物膜和水的质量控制；以及其他特殊考虑因素。尽管南非的研究有限，而且大多数研究都依赖于自我报告，这可能导致对合规性的严重高估，但即使是这些研究也表明，该国口腔卫生保健机构的感染控制实践存在严重缺陷。本综述强调了改进的机会。此外，它确定了未来在感染控制方面进行研究的可能性，以及为该国所有口腔卫生保健工作者改进感染控制教育的机会。
