Assessment of Infection Control Program and Practices in Private Care Hospitals of Saudi Arabia; A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Hospital acquired infections are still a health care problem across many countries. However, the implementation of the required
and recommended infection control practices is unsatisfactory. Methods: This was a 6-month cross-sectional study in five regions’ private
hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Results: All the hospitals’ infection control practices were below 75%. Administrators, doctors, nurses, and allied
medical staff’s were of practicing infection control varied across the five hospitals. Only the doctors and allied medical staff responded with
more “yes” than “no” to infection control practice questions. Conclusion: The infection control program and practices in private hospitals in
Saudi Arabia are still demanding. Unless these practices are improved across private-sector hospitals, the prevalence and burden of hospital
acquired infections will remain in place.