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Safia Bibi

Hussaini Thalassemia Foundation, Pakistan

Title: Inadequate infection control practices in blood banks of Karachi; An explanation to the high burden of Hepatitis B and C

Biography

Biography: Safia Bibi

Abstract

Implementation of infection control standards in blood banks is important to prevent transmission of blood borne infections like HIV, HBV and HCV. No study from Pakistan evaluated the infection control practices in the blood banks of Pakistan. This cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate 1) safe blood supply 2) staff safety and 3) waste disposal practices in blood banks of Karachi through a structured questionnaire followed by an educational intervention. Mean scores for overall infection control practices and specific practices regarding safe blood supply, staff safety and waste disposal were calculated and compared with different factors using statistical tools. Patient safety scores of 49(92.5%) blood banks were within the satisfactory range but staff safety and waste disposal scores of only 26(49.1%) and 4(7.5%) blood banks were satisfactory. Significantly lower IC scores were observed for stand-alone blood banks and those working in the absence of hematologist (p-value<0.001). Availability of written SOPs and IC guidelines correlated positively (p-value<0.001) with mean IC scores.  Blood banks in Karachi lack implementation of IC standards particularly with reference to staff safety and waste management & disposal. Sindh blood transfusion  authority (SBTA) should take measures to increase IC compliance within blood banks.