Knowledge and Practices of Respiratory Screening Clinic Staff during the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand

Knowledge and Practices of Respiratory Screening Clinic Staff during the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand

Nantanit Van Gulik^1,2, Parinya Santima³, Dongruethai Buadong ³, Wilai Napa³, Poolsuk Janepanish Visudtibhan ³, Usa Jainuk ³, Ana Hutchinson^1,4, ,

¹Deakin University School of Nursing and Midwifery, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
²Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research – Eastern Health Partnership, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
³Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Payathai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand
⁴Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research – Epworth HealthCare Partnership, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
Background
As part of a pandemic response plan it is vital to minimize Healthcare workers’ (HCWs) risk of exposure and infection. This study explored frontline Thai HCWs’ knowledge of COVID-19 transmission, infection prevention and control (IPC) practices.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey of HCWs including clinicians (doctors, registered nurses, practical nurses) and support staff (ward clerks, cleaners, and security staff) working in a Respiratory Screening Clinic between April and May 2020 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Results
A total of 160 participants completed the survey. Participants’ overall knowledge was high with significant differences between nurses and support staff (x̄ =13.00, SD=1.04 VS x̄ =12.13, SD=0.89 respectively, P<0.05). Nurses had a higher IPC compliance score (x̄ =13.11, SD=1.69) compared to doctors and practical nurses (x̄ = 10.88, SD=2.18 VS x̄ = 12.70, SD=1.74 respectively, P = .001). Doctors reported reusing masks, potential increasing their COVID-19 exposure risk. More than 65% of clinicians and almost 90% of support staff misunderstood key principles of effective hand hygiene. In terms of effective hand washing, nurses were the most likely to perform hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub and hand washing after removing gloves while doctors reported lower compliance. Conclusions The study findings highlight the importance of clear communication between health care leaders and frontline staff when rolling out a pandemic response plan together with providing information to all staff in a timely manner to ensure safe and efficient practices are implemented. Future staff education and training should promote in the early stages of a pandemic.

Biography

Nantanit completed her PhD at Deakin University in 2018. Before joining Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research – Eastern Health as a Research Fellow, she gained experiences in both clinical practice and academia from Mahidol University, Thailand. She has 20 years of experience working as a registered nurse, infection control nurse, and clinical nurse educator which includes lecturing and training of undergraduate and postgraduate students. She has been leading a number of studies related to infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship, patient safety and quality of care.