Nationwide Survey on the Current Status of Infection Control in Oriental Medical Hospitals

Kim, Kyung Mi; Kim, Hyeong Jun

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Oriental medicine is a part of medical service in Korea. However, there are no information about the status of infection control program in oriental medical hospitals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of infection control activities in oriental medical hospitals and to provide a data to establish infection control policy in oriental medical hospitals.
METHODS
This study was based on the survey questionnaires about infection control program and activities with total 13 oriental medical university hospitals in Korea. Questionnaires were collected from February 1 to March 31, 2011.
RESULTS
Nine hospitals (69.2%) had infection control practitioner (ICP). Only 4 hospitals (30.8%) had full-time ICP and infection control office. The 6 hospitals (46.2%) had a position for infection control doctor and half of them were oriental medical doctors. Eight hospitals (61.5%) had an infection control committee and they had a meeting for average 2.5 times a year. Six hospitals (46.2%) performed surveillance and most of them were monitoring site directed infections. Only 4 hospitals have microbiology laboratory. All hospitals were using disposable acupuncture needles. Six hospitals were only using disposable wet cupping. Two hospitals (15.4%) were reusing wet cupping after disinfection.
CONCLUSION
Through this study it was able to find out the status of infection control activities in oriental hospitals. There were also many limits on infection control activities in oriental medical hospitals. Based on this study it is needed to develop the infection control guideline and education for associates in oriental hospitals.