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Faculty of Health Sciences

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Compliance

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    An exploratory study of compliance with patient radiation safety standards amongst radiographers in Eswatini public hospitals
    (2024) Shungube, Amelia; Khoza, Thandokuhle Emmanuel
    Background The consequence of non-compliance with patient radiation safety standards is increased unnecessary radiation exposure with high chances of harmful biological effects. Somatic effects may take up to 40 years to manifest, which may cause radiographers to be careless with radiation protection compliance when used. Radiographers performing these procedures are trained to use the minimum amount of radiation necessary by observing the radiation safety standards. The study aimed to explore compliance with patient radiation safety standards by radiographers in Eswatini public hospitals in order to recommend appropriate compliance standards to the Eswatini Ministry of Health. Methodology The research questions were derived using a qualitative exploratory descriptive design, and constructivism paradigms. The data collection process consisted of in-depth one-on one interviews. The sample was selected based on a purposive sampling approach. This study was conducted in the public hospitals in four regions of Eswatini. Study participants were radiographers employed in public hospitals with working experience of at least two years. Data saturation was achieved with 13 participants. After the data were collected, they were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings Three themes emerged from the data analysis, namely: a) Participants' attitudes towards compliance with radiation safety standards; b) radiographers’ subjective norms; and c) perceived behavioral control factors. This study has revealed a gap in compliance with patients' radiation safety standards amongst radiographers employed in Eswatini public hospitals. Conclusion The study demonstrated awareness and knowledge of patient radiation safety standards amongst radiographers in Eswatini public hospitals. However, compliance with the standards remained a personal decision because radiographers are not obliged to comply. Moreover, other factors contributing to non-compliance included defective lead protective devices; unavailability of all the lead protective designs; inappropriate design of the department building; and unauthorized staff making unjustified x-ray requests. The establishment of a self-regulatory body may assist in improving the situation through the introduction of radiation safety officers who will establish national Radiography policies and guidelines and ensure that radiographers follow them.
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    Assessing infection control knowledge and compliance of cardiovascular perfusionists in theatre at a private hospital in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
    (Durban University of Technology, 2023) Naidoo, Elizabeth; Akpa-inyang, Francis; Odayan, Myenderan; Adam, Jamila
    Infections acquired in a hospital (HAI) often referred to as nosocomial infections are related with increasing morbidity and death among patients that are hospitalised and are predisposed to an elevated risk of infection by health workers (HCWs). The need to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program is therefore essential for quality health care. This study sought to assess the knowledge and compliance of infection control practices of Cardiovascular Perfusionists in theatre at a private healthcare facility in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in the city of Durban. We conducted a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with 12 Cardiovascular Perfusionists (CP) who were purposively selected from private sector. The interviews lasted between 20 to 25 minutes and were transcribed, and then thematic analysis were applied using NVivo. The study found that there is a need for Clinical Technologist specialising in Cardiovascular Perfusion to undergo training in infection control and prevention practices at the higher education and training level. Subsequently, the study reveals that Cardiovascular Perfusionists have a good overall understanding of pathogens and the implications thereof. The study also notes that there is considerable compliance to infection control practices in theatre irrespective of the knowledge pertaining to infection control and prevention policies. We concluded that there is an overall good knowledge and understanding regarding infection control practices, although many felt that there exists an inequitable application of infection control policies due to professional biases.
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    The knowledge, perceptions, compliance and challenges of dental technicians and technologists in KwaZulu-Natal towards Continuing Professional Development
    (2021-05-27) Seedat, Naeem Cassim; Vahed, Anisa; Muslim, Tufayl Ahmed
    Literature documents that Continuing Professional Development (CPD) helps to track how practitioners are improving their skills, competency and performance while acquiring new skills to improve the quality of patient care. This process supports health care professionals to maintain, improve and advance their knowledge, skills, ethical and professional behaviour throughout their working life. Annually, dental technicians and technologists are required to provide evidence of their CPD engagement in order to retain their professional registration. This entails accruing a minimum of 30 Continuing Educational Units (CEUs) per annum. Reportedly, dental technicians have expressed their dissatisfaction with the management of CPD by the South African Dental Technicians Council (SADTC). Apart from this, there are no known studies on the challenges experienced by South African dental technicians and technologists concerning CPD compliance, which is required to keep them abreast of international and technological trends. This study therefore aimed to ascertain the knowledge, perception, compliance and challenges of dental technicians and technologists in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) towards CPD, in order to provide evidence-based information to guide stakeholders in the provision and management of CPD and to inform CPD policy formation and reform initiatives. This study used a quantitative non-experimental and descriptive research design, which follows a positivism paradigm. The study population involved dental technicians (n = 83) from KZN who completed an online questionnaire, which was underpinned by Kirkpatrick’s Four-level Training Evaluation model. The questionnaire mainly focused on dental technicians’ awareness, opinions and perceptions of CPD in terms of its delivery, quality of training, barriers to accessing activities and accruing CEUs. Data was analysed using descriptive (Univariate and Bivariate) and inferential (Mann Whitney and Chi Square) statistics (SPSS Version 25®) with the level of significance set at p<0.05. Using the principles of thematic analysis, five prominent themes emerged from the open-ended questions. Content validity ensured that the questionnaire focused on concepts and constructs from the literature review on CPD. The reliability of the results was maintained by Cronbach’s alpha. The results of the study revealed that CPD improves professional competency and supports the learning of advancements in technology. This coupled with the ease of access to CPD-related activities and ongoing communication from the SADTC enabled dental technicians and technologists to be CPD compliant. In contrast, the factors constraining dental technicians and technologists from being CPD compliant were their lack of awareness of the various ways to accrue CEUs, the high costs associated with CPD training, as well as a lack of financial and time relief from dental technologists (employers) to attend CPD activities. The attendance-based CPD activities and negligible adherence of the SADTC audit process to the principles of the South African National Standard (SANS 19011) audit document further exacerbated the constraints on compliance. In view of the results, the study recommends that dental technologists develop internal company policies to assist staff in attending CPD activities and provide more in-house and work-based CPD activities. It is further recommended that the SADTC revise the current Continuous Professional Development CEU accrual document to better align with the advancements of technologies currently taking place within the profession. Future studies should examine the auditing practices used by the SADTC in order to determine its alignment with the guidelines set out in the SANS 19011 audit document.