IMPLEMENTATION OF BIOSAFETY PROTOCOLS AND THEIR IMPACT ON PATIENTS' PERCEPTION

There is limited information regarding the impact on patients of private clinics in the city of Cuenca concerning the implementation of biosafety protocols. Objective: To evaluate the perception of patients from private clinics in the city of Cuenca regarding the basic biosafety practices implemented by these establishments. Methodology: A descriptive and cross-sectional survey based on interviews included 150 patients from private clinics in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. Patients completed a questionnaire about their perception of the biosafety practices established by the clinics. The impact on patient perception was evaluated descriptively and analytically through the responses to the data collection instrument. Results: Regarding questions on the impact of patients toward the biosafety protocols implemented by dental clinics in the city of Cuenca, a higher percentage of positive impact was observed among respondents overall. As for the responses indicating negative impact toward the biosafety protocols, all showed a low average percentage, indicating that few respondents disagreed with or were unaware of the biosafety protocols in question.