Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Instrument Handling in Intraoperative Environment among Operation Theatre Staff: Knowledge and Practice Regarding Instruments in the Intraoperative Environment

Imad Ud Din Khan; Muhammad Mohsin; Athar Shams Rana; Laiba Mukhtar; . Talha; Muhammad Mohsin Abbas; Tehreem Tariq

doi:10.54393/nrs.v5i4.189

Authors

Imad Ud Din Khan Department of Health Technologies, Green International University, Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Mohsin Department of Emerging Allied Health Technology, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan
Athar Shams Rana Department of Health Technologies, Green International University, Lahore, Pakistan
Laiba Mukhtar Department of Emerging Allied Health Technology, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan
. Talha Department of Emerging Allied Health Technology, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Mohsin Abbas Department of Emerging Allied Health Technology, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan
Tehreem Tariq Department of Health Technologies, Green International University, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/nrs.v5i4.189

Keywords:

Operating Room Nursing, Surgical Instruments, Infection Control, Sterilization, Health Knowledge, Practice, Patient Safety, Perioperative Nursing, Hospital Hygiene

Abstract

In the intraoperative setting, proper handling of instruments is essential to maintain surgical efficiency and ensure patient safety. This would heavily rely on the personnel of the operating theatre (OT), such as surgeons, nurses, and technicians. Their knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of working with the instruments could be evaluated, which would help identify the areas that require improvement in the outcomes of the surgery. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the operating theatre personnel related to the management of instruments during the intraoperative care, to find the gaps in the protocol compliance, and to discuss the factors that impact compliance. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among working staff in specific hospitals operating theatres. They came up with a self-administered questionnaire that assessed their knowledge, attitudes, as well as practices in regard to instrument handling. Results: This study found that 113 (78%) operating theatre staff had a decent theoretical understanding of how to handle the instruments, and 116 (80%) were aware of their responsibility in preventing surgical site infection. Nevertheless, only 87 (60%) of them were adherent to proper handling protocols. In workload, time constraints, and limited resources (20%) were the main obstacles, which showed that there was a knowledge practice gap despite positive attitudes. Conclusions: Despite the fact that the majority of operating theatre staff showed sufficient knowledge and good attitudes to aseptic techniques and infection control, there is still a lot to be desired in decontamination, validation of sterilization, and storage of the instruments.

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