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Muluken Nigatu Selam,1 Regasa Bayisa,2 Andualem Ababu,2 Mahdi Abdella,2 Edesa Diriba,2 Minychel Wale,3 Assefa Mulu Baye4
1Department of Pharmacy and Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Directorate (PMED), Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 3All African Leprosy, Tuberculosis Rehabilitation and Training Center (ALERT), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 4Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Correspondence: Muluken Nigatu Selam
Department of Pharmacy and Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, PO Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel +251 912159807
Email [email protected]
Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHR) are considered the “gold standard” for hand disinfection in healthcare facilities. WHO recommends local production of ABHR in health facilities due to its availability and affordability reasons. However, fire hazard is a concern in healthcare facilities during production, storage, or use of ABHR from dispensers.
Objective: Assess the readiness of public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for potential fire hazards during ABHR production and storage practices.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was applied. An assessment checklist was used to assess the measures taken by public hospitals for potential fire hazards during the ABHR production and storage practice. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used for data entry and analysis.
Results: Of the 13 public hospitals observed in the study, fire extinguishers were not available in more than half of the hospital facilities (7 hospitals). Furthermore, 57.1% of hospitals without fire extinguishers were manufacturing beyond the WHO 50 liter limit of ABHR solution at a time under such unfavorable conditions. Furthermore, ethanol and the oxidizing agent hydrogen peroxide were not stored separately in eight hospitals.
Conclusion: None of the hospitals were found to be well prepared for the potential fire hazard associated with the production and storage practices of the ABHR solution. Generally, the practices taken by the studied hospitals to prevent fire risk and minimize damage if fire hazards occurred during the production and storage of ABHR were not satisfactory. Regarding the security measures and precautions taken against the risk of fire, the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), the Amanuel Specialized Mental Hospital (AMSH) and the Eka Kotebe General Hospital (EKGH) showed a relatively better preparation compared to others. ABHR solutions must be manufactured and stored in a manner that limits the risk of ignition and follows standard fire safety measures.
Keywords: ABHR, fire, hospitals, COVID-19, production, storage
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