scholarly journals Infection control survey in the hospitals to examine the role of masks and respirators for the prevention of respiratory infections in healthcare workers (HCWs)

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 408 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.A. Chughtai ◽  
R. MacIntyre ◽  
Y. Peng ◽  
Q. Wang ◽  
M.O. Ashraf ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Dinh Binh Tran

Protecting healthcare workers (HCWs) is a top priority in COVID-19 pandemic at this time. HCWs who carry the pathogens will increase the risk of infecting their patients, their colleagues as well as the community. Therefore, HCWs must follow the guidance of preventive measures issued by the Ministry of Health to ensure safety, although that means they have to work under uncomfortable condition. That is the reason why the role of surveillance and assessment the risk of infection is extremely critical. Only with regular and continuous supervision, with instructions and reminders, can HCWs effectively prevent the COVID-19 infection, especially while being under intensity - work pressure of the current situation.


Biomédica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supl. 2) ◽  
pp. 159-165
Author(s):  
Jorge Alberto Cortés ◽  
Pilar Espitia ◽  
Yuliet Liliana Rosero-Lasso

Introduction: Healthcare personnel plays an important role in the prevention of acute respiratory infections in hospital settings.Objective: Our aim was to establish the level of knowledge about respiratory virus infections and the attitudes and practices among healthcare workers, leaders of infection control committees in hospitals of Bogotá, Colombia.Materials and methods: We used a self-administered questionnaire of 28 items during the monthly meeting sponsored by the local health authority. “Yes or no” and “true or false” questions were applied to measure knowledge. Attitudes and practices were measured with a Likert-type scale according to the agreement degree.Results: We surveyed 70 healthcare workers. Respondents demonstrated a good level of knowledge as 80% of them answered correctly more than five questions. A total of 54.4% showed a low degree of agreement when asked if their institutions have the policy to stay home when they are sick with respiratory symptoms and 67.1% never or rarely remain at home under such conditions.Conclusion: Healthcare worker leaders of infection control committees in Bogotá’s ospitals have adequate knowledge about the prevention of seasonal respiratory viruses. There is a need for implementing urgent sick leave policies as a measure to prevent the spread of potential coronavirus infections in hospitals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 368-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abrar Ahmad Chughtai ◽  
Holly Seale ◽  
William D Rawlinson ◽  
Mohana Kunasekaran ◽  
C Raina Macintyre

Abstract Objectives Infection control policies and guidelines recommend using facemasks and respirators to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) from respiratory infections. Common types of respirators used in healthcare settings are filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs). Aims of this study were to examine the current attitudes and practices of HCWs regarding the selection and use of respiratory protection and determine the acceptability of a novel PAPR. Methods In-depth interviews were undertaken with 20 HCWs from a large tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia. Participants were fit tested with a lightweight tight-fitting half-facepiece PAPR (CleanSpace2™ Power Unit, PAF-0034, by CleanSpace Technology®) using the TSI™ Portacount quantitative fit test method. Results Interview results showed that HCWs had a limited role in the selection and use of facemasks and respirators and had been using the devices provided by the hospital. The majority of subjects had no knowledge of hospital policy for the use of facemasks and respirators, had not been trained on the use of respirators, and had not been fit tested previously. Compliance with the use of facemasks and respirators was perceived as being low and facemasks and respirators were typically used only for short periods of time. All 20 participants were successfully fit tested to the CleanSpace2™ PAPR (overall geometric mean fit factor—6768). According to the exit surveys, CleanSpace2™ PAPRs were easy to don (14/20) and doff (15/20) and comfortable to wear (14/20). Most participants believed that PAPRs provide higher protection, comfort and reusability over N95 FFR and can be used during pandemics and other high-risk situations. Conclusions HCWs should be aware of infection control policies and training should be provided on the correct use of respiratory protective devices. PAPRs can be used in hospital settings to protect HCWs from certain highly infectious and emerging pathogens, however, HCWs require adequate training on storage, use, and cleaning of PAPRs.


Author(s):  
Gideon Loevinsohn ◽  
Justin Hardick ◽  
Thomas Mehoke ◽  
Pamela Sinywimaanzi ◽  
Mutinta Hamahuwa ◽  
...  

The burden of nosocomial respiratory infections in rural southern Africa is poorly understood. We established a surveillance program at a rural Zambian hospital to detect influenza-like illness (ILI) and respiratory infections among hospitalized patients and a cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs). Nasopharyngeal specimens from symptomatic patients and HCWs underwent broadly multiplexed molecular testing to detect viruses and atypical bacteria. During 1 year of surveillance, 15 patients (1.7% of admissions) developed ILI more than 48 hours after admission. Among 44 HCWs, 19 (43%) experienced at least one ILI episode, with a total of 31 ILI episodes detected. Respiratory viruses were detected in 45% of patient and 55% of HCW specimens. The cumulative incidence of influenza infection among HCWs over 1 year was 9%. Overall, respiratory viruses were commonly found among patients and HCWs in a rural Zambian hospital with limited infection control infrastructure.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karoline Leuzinger ◽  
Tim Roloff ◽  
Rainer Gosert ◽  
Kirstine Soegaard ◽  
Klaudia Naegele ◽  
...  

Background. SARS-CoV-2 emerged in China in December 2019 as new cause of severe viral pneumonia (CoVID-19) reaching Europe by late January 2020. We validated the WHO-recommended assay and describe the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 and community-acquired respiratory viruses (CARVs). Methods. Naso-oropharyngeal swabs (NOPS) from 7663 individuals were prospectively tested by the Basel-S-gene and the WHO-based E-gene-assay (Roche) using Basel-N-gene-assay for confirmation. CARVs were tested in 2394 NOPS by multiplex-NAT, including 1816 together with SARS-CoV-2. Results. Basel-S-gene and Roche-E-gene-assays were concordant in 7475 cases (97.5%) including 825 (11%) positive samples. In 188 (2.5%) discordant cases, SARS-CoV-2 loads were significantly lower than in concordant positive ones and confirmed in 105 NOPS. Adults were more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2, while children were more likely to test CARV-positive. CARV co-infections with SARS-CoV-2 occurred in 1.8%. SARS-CoV-2 replaced other CARVs within 3 weeks reaching 48% of all detected respiratory viruses followed by rhino/enterovirus (13%), influenzavirus (12%), coronavirus (9%), respiratory syncytial (6%) and metapneumovirus (6%). Conclusions. The differential diagnosis for respiratory infections was broad during the early pandemic, affecting infection control and treatment decisions. We discuss the role of pre-existing immunity and competitive CARV replication for the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection among adults and children.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-86
Author(s):  
Cindy Ayustin Noya ◽  
Angkit Kinasih ◽  
Venti Agustina ◽  
R.Rr Maria Dyah Kurniasari

Infeksi saluran pernafasan akut atau yang sering disebut ISPA merupakan infeksi pada saluran pernafasan baik saluran pernafasan atas atau bawah.ISPA juga kebanyakan terjadi pada anak balita karena daya tahan tubuh mereka tidak kuat dalam menghadapi penyakit ISPA. ISPA mengakibatkan kematiansekitar15%-20% per tahun pada usia balita di Negara berkembang. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui dan menganalisa peran ibu dalam meningkatkan sistem imun anak dengan ISPA.Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kualitatif deskriptif dengan sampel purposive sampling.Populasi dan sampel penelitian ini adalah ibu yang mempunyai anak dengan riwayat dan saat ini menderita penyakit ISPA di Batu Gajah Kota Ambon.Partisipan dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 5 orang. Hasil dari penelitian mendapati 4 kategori yaitu pemberian nutrisi pada anak untuk memenuhi kebutuhan agar sistem imunnya terjaga, kebersihan lingkungan, peran ibu dalam melakukan pencegahan pada anaknya yang mengalami ISPA, dan  peran ibu dalam menjaga dan mempertahankan kesehatan anaknya.   Kata kunci: peran ibu, sistem imun, ispa THE ROLE OF MOTHERS IN INCREASING IMMUNE SYSTEM OF CHILDREN WITH ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTION    ABSTRACT Acute respiratory infections or often called ARI is an infection of the upper or lower respiratory tract. ARI occurs mostly in children under the age of five because their endurance is not strong in dealing with ARI. ARI results in deaths of around 15%-20% per year at the age of under-five in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to determine and analyze the role of mothers in improving the immune system of children against ARI. The research method used in this study was qualitative descriptive with a purposive sampling sample. Respondents and samples of this study were five mothers who had children with a history of ARI and currently suffering from the disease in Batu Gajah, Ambon City. The results of the study found 4 categories, namely providing nutrition to children to meet their needs so that their immune systems are maintained, clean environment, mother's role in preventing children with ARI, and mother's role to preserve and maintain the health of their children. The findings indicated that in terms of coping or improving the immune system of a child to avoid ARI, it is necessary to have role the of mothers in providing nutrition so that the immune system is boosted, besides that the mother can prevent and protect her child from various diseases, especially ARI. Keywords: role of mothers, immune system, acute respiratory infections


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasha H. Bassyouni ◽  
Ahmed-Ashraf Wegdan ◽  
Naglaa A El-Sherbiny

To evaluate the role of educational intervention on health care workers' (HCWs) compliance to standard precautions and cleaning of frequently touched surfaces at critical care units, forty-nine HCWs at 2 intensive care units (ICUs) and one neonatology unit at Fayoum University hospital were evaluated for knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards standard precautions as well as obstacles affecting their compliance to standard precautions before and after a 32-hour purposed-designed infection control education program. A structured self-administrated questionnaire as well as observational checklists were used. Assessment of Environmental cleaning was investigated by observational checklist, ATP bioluminescence and aerobic bacteriological culture for 118 frequently touched surfaces. Pre-intervention assessment revealed that 78.6% of HCWs were with good knowledge, 82.8% with good attitude and 80.8% had good practice. Obstacles identified by HCWs were as follow: making patient-care very technical (65.3%), deficiency of hand washing facilities (59.2%), skin irritation resulting from hand hygiene products (51%), and unavailability of PPE (38.8%). High significant improvements of knowledge, attitude and practice were detected after one month of educational intervention (P= 0.000). During the pre-interventional period only 30.5% of surfaces were considered clean versus 97.45% post intervention (P< 0.05). The highest Median ATP bioluminescence values were obtained from telephone handset, light switches and Blood pressure cuffs. S. aureus was the most common isolated organism followed by Enterococcus spp and E.coli (52, 38 and 19 surfaces respectively). In conclusion, contentious training of HCWs on standard precautions should be considered a mandatory element in infection control programs


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (09) ◽  
pp. 4802
Author(s):  
Izabel Cristina Santiago Lemos ◽  
Giovana Mendes De Lacerda ◽  
Maysa de Oliveira Barbosa ◽  
Gyllyandeson de Araújo Delmondes ◽  
Patrícia Rosane Leite de Figueiredo ◽  
...  

Traditional knowledge emerges as a relevant figure in care used by mothers and caregivers for the management of acute respiratory infections, diarrhea and anemia. To understand the meaning given to the use of traditional knowledge by mothers or caregivers for the treatment of these illnesses, their reflexes to conventional treatment, as well as discuss the role of health professionals with regard to the use of plants and animals by mothers or responsible for the management the respiratory infections; diarrhea and anemia. The research was conducted in Santo Antônio community (Barbalha - CE). Techniques as “rapport” and “Snowball” were used for data collection, and a closed questionnaire and semi-structured interview were applied. For data analysis, the Collective Subject Discourse (CSD) was used. The sample included 54 informants. There were 19 key ideas identified, which revealed an appreciation of the use of natural resources to treat the respiratory infections; diarrhea and anemia, an association between conventional and traditional medicine in the management these common childhood illnesses and the need for health professionals value the popular knowledge in assistance provided. Health professionals are encouraged to include behaviors in their care practice that allow greater contact with local cultures, being able to measure what resources are used and how they can interfere on the prescribed therapy.


Author(s):  
Rowa Aljondi ◽  
Salem Saeed Alghamdi ◽  
Ikhlas Abdelaziz ◽  
Lubna Bushara ◽  
Somayah Alghamdi ◽  
...  

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