Evaluation of the Quality of Medico-technical Equipment Sterilization in National University Hospital of Cotonou in Benin in 2013

In low income countries, hospital-acquired infections continue to develop in hospitalized patients, and may also affect medical staff. Medico-technical equipment sterilization is critical for prevention and safety care of nosocomial infections.

To assess the quality of medico-technical equipment sterilization at the National University Hospital of Cotonou in 2013.

This cross-sectional and evaluative study was conducted at the National University Hospital of Cotonou from 10^th June to 04^th July 2013. A sample of 51 health workers involved in the of medico-technical equipment sterilization system, two (02) administrative authorities, the responsible of National Committee for the Fight against nosocomial infections in the hospital, 41 sterilized instruments and compresses were assessed in the study. Health workers were observed in their work environment before undergoing an individual interview as well as the administrative authorities and the Responsible of the National Committee for the Fight against nosocomial infections. Sterilized instruments are analyzed in microbiology laboratory.

More than half of the participants were male (52.9%). The average age of respondents was 41 ± 7.5 years. The sterilization unit of the hospital was managed by common surgical department of the hospital and its mission was to provide sterile medico-technical equipment. The sterilization unit did not meet the standard architecture of sterilization environment. Equipment sterilization procedure did not meet standards of quality assurance. There was no preventive maintenance procedure for autoclave and poupinel that were used for sterilization of instruments. No indoor cleaning and air sterilization of the service of sterilization were planned. However, equipment sterilization supplies were available, and 13.72% of workers surveyed were well-skilled. Microbiological tests showed that 48.8% of sterilized medical equipment was contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter cloacae.

The quality of instrument sterilization system in the HKM National University hospital of Cotonou was poor. Sterilized equipment was contaminated by pathogens. Medical equipment sterilization process needs improvement to prevent hospital-acquired infections.