Title: Infection Control within the Healthcare Administration in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Khalil Alnakhli - BS and Dr. Thomas Shaw, PhD, Professor
Volume: 8
Issue: 8
Pages: 52-59
Publication Date: 2024/08/28
Abstract:
Infection control within healthcare administration in Saudi Arabia is crucial due to the rising incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in its rapidly expanding healthcare sector. This study aims to investigate how enhanced infection control training programs for healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia can improve compliance with infection control measures and reduce HAIs compared to current practices without additional training. The systematic literature review covered articles published between 2018 and 2024, using databases such as MEDLINE and PubMed. The review included 40 articles that met strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results show that enhanced training programs significantly improve healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices, leading to better compliance with infection control protocols and a reduction in HAIs. Several studies reported a decrease in HAIs by up to 20% following the implementation of comprehensive training programs. These findings emphasize the need for continuous education and standardized protocols in infection control. The discussion highlights the strengths of the study, including the rigorous selection process and systematic data analysis, while acknowledging limitations such as time constraints, exclusion of non-English articles, and potential reviewer bias. The study concludes that enhanced infection control training programs are essential for improving patient safety and healthcare outcomes in Saudi Arabia. Policymakers and healthcare leaders are urged to prioritize these programs to address the ongoing and emerging challenges in infection control.