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Table 2 Self-reported reusable medical equipment decontamination practice among nurses in Bale zone hospitals in 2018 (n = 272)

From: Decontamination of patient equipment: nurses’ self-reported decontamination practice in hospitals of southeast Ethiopia

Variables

Response

Frequency

Percent (%)

Did you use all necessary PPE when you perform instrument processing (n = 273)

Yes

196

71.8

No

77

28.2

Did you use Google/eye shield while you perform instrument processing for the last time (n = 196)

Yes

42

21.4

No

154

78.6

Did you use heavy duty glove when you handle, clean and process contaminated medical equipment for the last time (n = 196)

Yes

171

87.2

No

25

12.8

Did you use a mask when you clean and/or decontaminate reusable medical equipment for the last time (n = 196)

Yes

57

29.1

No

139

70.9

When do you soak contaminated items after any medical or surgical procedure

Immediately

49

17.9

Within 30 min

193

70.7

Within 1 h

31

11.4

I don’t soak at all

0

0

Did you always soaked contaminated equipment in 0.5% chlorine solution before you perform cleaning (n = 273)

Yes

211

77.3

No

62

22.7

How long did you soak contaminated equipment in 0.5% chlorine solutions the last time (n = 211)

5 min and less

0

0

10 min

163

77.2

For 1 h

44

20.9

For 24 h

4

1.9

I don’t know

0

0

Do you regularly monitor the steam and/or dry sterilized (autoclaves) using chemical indicators (n = 273)

Yes

54

19.8

No

219

80.2

Do you regularly monitor the steam and/or dry sterilized (autoclaves) using biological indicators at least every week (n = 273)

Yes

0

0

No

273

100

Do you always label the type, time and date of decontaminating solution (n = 273)

Yes

179

65.6

No

94

34.4

Overall decontamination practice

Acceptable

134

49.1

Unacceptable

139

50.9