Access to improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is essential for the delivery of high-quality care in healthcare facilities and the prevention of hospital-acquired infections such as the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2. In addition, unimpeded access to WASH facilities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment centres (TCs) is central in facilitating compliance with infection prevention and control protocols. However, data for the WASH status of COVID-19 TCs in Ghana are limited. We evaluated the WASH status of seven COVID-19 TCs in Ghana using the WHO/UNICEF water and sanitation for health facility improvement tool (WASH FIT). The water domain had the highest number of indicators meeting standards with an average percentage score of 90.5% (range: 66.7–100%) across the seven TCs, followed by management (66.9%) and hygiene (58.7%). The TCs performed poorly in the sanitation and healthcare waste domain, with an average percentage score of 44.6% (range: 22.2–75%). These findings highlight the challenges being faced by COVID-19 TCs in implementing WASH services. Specific WASH interventions are urgently required to strengthen WASH services in the COVID-19 TCs. This should precede the prioritisation of resources to WASH infrastructure in the treatment facilities coupled with actions that involve all stakeholders.

Objective To assess hand hygiene compliance in selected primary hospitals in Ghana. Design A cross-sectional health facility-based observational study was conducted in primary health care facilities in five regions in Ghana. A total of 546 healthcare workers including doctors, nurses, midwives and laboratory personnel from 106 health facilities participated in the study. Main outcome measures The main outcome measures included availability of hand hygiene materials and alcohol job aids; compliance with moments of hand hygiene; and compliance with steps in hygienic hand washing. These were assessed using descriptive statistics. Results The mean availability of hand hygiene material and alcohol job aids was 75% and 71% respectively. This was described as moderately high, but less desirable. The mean hand hygiene compliance with moments of hand hygiene was 51%, which was also described asmoderately high, but less desirable. It was observed that, generally, hand hygiene was performed after procedures than before. However, the mean compliance with steps in hygienic hand washing was 86%, which was described as high and desirable. Conclusion Healthcare workers are generally competent in performance of hygienic hand washing. However, this does not seem to influence compliance with moments of hand hygiene. Efforts must therefore be made to translate the competence of healthcare workers in hygienic hand washing into willingness to comply with moments of hand hygiene, especially contact with patients.

Background: Healthcare in Ghana is characterised by high expenditures, multiple professions and specialties, complicated processes, and diverse workforces, all of which highlight the importance of evaluating service efficiency through a robust performance appraisal system. Objective of the study: This study aimed to assess the efficiency of four regional hospitals in Ghana in 2020. Method: Secondary data of four regional hospitals on bed occupancy rates, average length of stay and bed turnover rates, among others, were collected from District Health Information Management System (DHIMS) for further analysis. Pabón Lasso charts were drawn using Microsoft Excel 2019 to evaluate the efficiency level of hospitals and wards. Results and conclusion: The study compared the performance of regional hospitals in 2020. The results showed that the Greater Accra and Brong Ahafo were inefficient, the upper East regional hospital was less efficient while the Eastern regional hospital was efficient. It was also found that the medical, maternity and surgical wards of the Brong Ahafo hospital were inefficient. The emergency ward was the most efficient unit in the eastern regional hospital while that of the Upper East region was inefficient. The medical and surgical units of the Greater Accra regional hospital were less efficient.