Evaluation of the objectivity of an infection control audit tool.

A national study involving 22 districts was carried out during 1993 to evaluate an infection control audit tool. The tool was found to be objective and can be used by infection control teams to monitor practices and assess the impact of training programmes. It can also be used to provide purchasers with a measurable standard in relation to infection control quality issues. In total, 440 wards were audited. A few districts had problems in meeting some of the standards, particularly on sharps and waste. A subgroup of the West Midlands Infection Control Nurses Association was able to adapt the audit tool for specialized areas including general practice, nursing homes and dentistry.