Increased Production of Alcohol-Based Hand Rub Solution in Response to COVID-19 and Fire Hazard Potential: Preparedness of Public Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
ABHR
COVID-19
fire
hospitals
production
storage
Journal
Risk management and healthcare policy
ISSN: 1179-1594
Titre abrégé: Risk Manag Healthc Policy
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101566264
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2020
2020
Historique:
received:
01
09
2020
accepted:
15
10
2020
entrez:
18
11
2020
pubmed:
19
11
2020
medline:
19
11
2020
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) are regarded as the "gold standard" for hand disinfection in healthcare facilities. Local production of ABHRs in health facilities is recommended by WHO due to its availability and affordability reasons. However, fire hazard is a concern in health facilities during ABHRs production, storage, or use from dispensers. To evaluate the preparedness of public hospitals found in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia towards potential fire hazards during ABHR production and storage practices. A cross-sectional observational study was applied. An assessment checklist was used for evaluating public hospitals' measures taken for the potential fire hazards during ABHR production and storage practice. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used for data entry and analysis. Out of the 13 public hospitals observed in the study, fire extinguishers were not available in more than half of the hospitals' (7 hospitals) compounding premises. Also, 57.1% of the hospitals without fire extinguishers were manufacturing beyond the WHO 50 liters limit of ABHR solution at once under such unfavorable conditions. Moreover, ethanol and the oxidizing agent hydrogen peroxide were not stored separately in eight hospitals. None of the hospitals were found to be well prepared for the potential risk of fire associated with ABHR solution production and storage practice. Generally, the practices taken by the studied hospitals for preventing the fire risk and minimizing the damage if fire hazards occurred during ABHR production and storage were not satisfactory. On the safety and precautions measures taken for the risk of fire, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital (AMSH), and Eka Kotebe General Hospital (EKGH) showed a relatively better preparedness compared to others. ABHR solutions should be manufactured and stored in a way that limits the risk of ignition and follows standard fire safety measures.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) are regarded as the "gold standard" for hand disinfection in healthcare facilities. Local production of ABHRs in health facilities is recommended by WHO due to its availability and affordability reasons. However, fire hazard is a concern in health facilities during ABHRs production, storage, or use from dispensers.
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the preparedness of public hospitals found in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia towards potential fire hazards during ABHR production and storage practices.
METHODS
METHODS
A cross-sectional observational study was applied. An assessment checklist was used for evaluating public hospitals' measures taken for the potential fire hazards during ABHR production and storage practice. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used for data entry and analysis.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Out of the 13 public hospitals observed in the study, fire extinguishers were not available in more than half of the hospitals' (7 hospitals) compounding premises. Also, 57.1% of the hospitals without fire extinguishers were manufacturing beyond the WHO 50 liters limit of ABHR solution at once under such unfavorable conditions. Moreover, ethanol and the oxidizing agent hydrogen peroxide were not stored separately in eight hospitals.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
None of the hospitals were found to be well prepared for the potential risk of fire associated with ABHR solution production and storage practice. Generally, the practices taken by the studied hospitals for preventing the fire risk and minimizing the damage if fire hazards occurred during ABHR production and storage were not satisfactory. On the safety and precautions measures taken for the risk of fire, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital (AMSH), and Eka Kotebe General Hospital (EKGH) showed a relatively better preparedness compared to others. ABHR solutions should be manufactured and stored in a way that limits the risk of ignition and follows standard fire safety measures.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33204191
doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S279957
pii: 279957
pmc: PMC7667177
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
2507-2513Informations de copyright
© 2020 Selam et al.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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