Enhancing Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention: A Multidisciplinary Approach Integrating Nursing, Anesthesia, and Administrative Roles in Saudi Arabian Hospitals
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant challenge to patient safety and healthcare quality in Saudi Arabia. Effective HAI prevention requires a multidisciplinary approach that leverages the expertise of various healthcare professionals. This comprehensive review examines the potential for integrating nursing, anesthesia, and administrative roles to enhance HAI prevention strategies in Saudi Arabian hospitals, aligning with the healthcare transformation goals of Vision 2030.
Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus databases. Studies published between 2010-2024 addressing the roles of nurses, anesthesia professionals, and healthcare administrators in HAI prevention, with a focus on interprofessional collaboration and infection control practices, were included. Thematic analysis identified key strategies, challenges, and implications for the Saudi healthcare context.
Results: The review identified three main themes: (1) the central role of nurses in implementing and monitoring infection control practices, (2) the importance of anesthesia professionals in preventing surgical site infections and device-associated infections, and (3) the critical leadership and support functions of healthcare administrators in fostering a culture of safety and allocating resources for HAI prevention. Key challenges included knowledge gaps, workload pressures, and communication barriers. Promising strategies involved education and training, standardized protocols, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Conclusion: Enhancing HAI prevention in Saudi Arabian hospitals requires a synergistic approach that integrates the expertise and efforts of nurses, anesthesia professionals, and healthcare administrators. Fostering interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based practice, and a culture of safety is crucial for reducing HAI rates and improving patient outcomes. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of multidisciplinary HAI prevention interventions and explore strategies for sustaining best practices in the Saudi healthcare context.