Evaluating Infection‐Control Practice Among Surgical, Anesthesia, and Radiology Teams

Abstract

Background:
Healthcare‐associated infections (HAIs) in perioperative and imaging settings pose substantial risks to patient safety. Anesthesia and imaging technologists are pivotal in infection prevention but often exhibit suboptimal compliance with protocols. This systematic review aimed to synthesize global and Saudi Arabian evidence on technologist adherence to infection‐control measures, identify effective interventions, and inform targeted strategies for improvement.
Methods:
We followed PRISMA guidelines to search PubMed and Embase from inception through December 31, 2024, supplemented by clinicaltrials.gov and reference‐list screening. Eligible studies were randomized clinical trials or cohort studies reporting quantitative compliance metrics among anesthesia or imaging technologists. Dual independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, extracted data using a standardized form, and assessed risk of bias with the Joanna Briggs Institute and Cochrane RoB 2.0 tools.
Results:
Fourteen studies (six trials, eight cohorts; total N≈1,365 technologists) met inclusion criteria. Baseline composite infection‐control compliance averaged 54.6% (range 18.0%–78.9%), with lower hand‐hygiene rates in anesthesia technologists (mean 45.3%) versus imaging technologists (61.8%; p<0.01). Multimodal interventions—combining direct observation, real‐time feedback, peer coaching, and refresher training, yielded mean compliance improvements to 68.2% at 6‐month follow‐up. Secondary outcomes included knowledge score increases, and decreased needlestick injuries in anesthesia staff (IRR 0.26).
Conclusions:
Infection‐control compliance among anesthesia and imaging technologists remains below recommended thresholds but can be substantially improved through sustained, multimodal interventions. Directly observed composite adherence rates serve as a robust primary outcome for benchmarking. Embedding continuous audit‐and‐feedback mechanisms, fostering supportive organizational cultures, and integrating electronic monitoring may enhance durability of gains. Nationally, formalized training mandates and incorporation of technologist performance metrics into accreditation frameworks are recommended to bridge local–global practice gaps and advance patient safety.