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Q Bulletin, Volume 1, No. 32 (Supplement 1), Jan - Dec 202412th National QA Convention, 8 %u2013 10 October 2024QLL-118Biological Hazards at Pediatric Ward, Taiping Hospital, Perak: Towards ImprovingIndoor Air QualityErmie AH1, Subki A2, Nor Azura J1, Noor Rasyidi MN1, Mohd Shahrizal MD1, Shazila S1, Nur Marlina R1,Muhammad Abdullah AM11 Taiping Hospital, Perak2Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, PerakINTRODUCTION:Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in hospitals, particularly concerning microbiological parameters, isassociated with healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), posing risks to patient and staff health. AMinistry of Health Malaysia report in 2016 and 2017 highlighted Taiping Hospital as one of the 'Top 5Hospitals' with the highest number of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases, emphasising the linkbetween IAQ and HCAIs. This study aims to assess IAQ level in the Paediatric Ward, evaluate handhygiene compliance and assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) levels, aiming to enhanceinfection control through targeted interventions, \METHODOLOGY:Using Anderson bio samplers, bacterial concentrations in the air were measured, while hand hygienecompliance was assessed using the WHO's \gauged through adapted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) questionnaires. Statisticalanalyses, including Pearson correlation and linear regression, were conducted using SPSS Version 26.0.RESULTS:Post-intervention, indoor air bacterial concentration load in the Paediatric Ward decreased significantlyfrom 456 CFU/m%u00b3 to 289 CFU/m%u00b3. Hand hygiene compliance improved for three out of five parameters,reaching 100%, but remained below the 85% standard for the other two parameters. Notably, compliance%u201cAfter procedures%u201d improved from 66.6% to 80%, with a 5% Achievable Benefit Not Achieved (ABNA).A significant positive relationship between knowledge and practice was identified, accounting for 14.4%of the variance. Additionally, high KAP levels were attained.DISCUSSION:The study highlights the effectiveness of the intervention in enhancing hand hygiene compliance andreducing bacterial concentration, thus creating a safer healthcare environment. The positive correlationbetween knowledge and practice emphasizes the importance of educational initiatives in promoting betterhand hygiene behaviours. However, sustained efforts are necessary to maintain and further improve theseoutcomes, especially in high-activity areas, to ensure continued safety for patients and staff.210 | Page