Dentists' Perspectives on Infection Control in Relation to Blood-borne Viruses

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
K. M. Jenkinson ◽  
M. Temple-Smith ◽  
J. Lavery ◽  
S. M. Gifford ◽  
M. Morgan

The prevalence of blood-borne viruses (BBV) continues to increase in Australia, as does the need for vigilant infection control. Despite this, some Australian health practitioners demonstrate poor compliance with recommended infection control practices. The aim of this study was to examine the experiences and attitudes of dentists regarding infection control, patients with BBV, occupational risk, and related matters, and identify reasons for non-compliance with infection control guidelines. A purposive sample of 25 Victorian dentists took part in semi-structured interviews between November 2003 and November 2004. Interviews were taped, transcribed and coded for thematic analysis. The majority of participants expressed compliance with standard precautions; however, many admitted to changing their routine infection control practices for patients known or assumed to have a BBV. Approximately half disclosed minor changes, such as double gloving; a small minority reported having treated people with a BBV at the end of a session. Most participants experienced apprehension about the risk of occupational exposure to BBV and admitted this as the reason for changing infection control practices. Reasons offered by participants for poor compliance included ignorance of either the effectiveness of standard precautions or BBV transmission, or confusion and frustration regarding inadequate or impractical infection control guidelines. It is suggested that infection control guidelines be specifically designed for dental practice, and that these be promoted in both undergraduate dental education and professional development.

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona E. Pelly ◽  
Libby Swanepoel ◽  
Joseph Rinella ◽  
Sheri Cooper

The objective of this study was to explore consumers’ use and perception of the Australian Health Star Rating (HSR). A purposive sample of fifteen Australian grocery shoppers was recruited into four focus groups using a supermarket intercept strategy. Focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed and analysed using an iterative approach to thematic analysis. Three key themes emerged from analysis. The HSR was seen as simple, uncluttered, easy to understand and useful for quick comparison across products. The nutrition information was viewed positively; however, there was little confidence in the HSR due to a perceived lack of transparency in the criteria used to determine the number of stars. Highly processed foods were generally seen as having inflated ratings and participants expressed concern that this would increase consumption of these products. Finally, there was a belief that the HSR had a lack of negative imagery limiting the dissuasive impact on consumers when presented with low-rated foods. Consumers saw benefits in the HSR but were sceptical about how the ratings were derived. Transparency about the development and education on the application may assist with consumers’ perception of the HSR.


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp19X702809
Author(s):  
Ben Bowers ◽  
Kristian Pollock ◽  
Sam Barclay ◽  
Stephen Barclay

BackgroundGPs have a central role in decisions about prescribing anticipatory medications (AMs) to help control symptoms at the end of life. Little is known about GPs’ decision-making processes in prescribing AMs and the subsequent use of prescribed drugs.AimTo explore GPs’ decision-making processes in the prescribing and use of AMs for patients at the end of life.MethodA qualitative interpretive descriptive enquiry with a purposive sample of 13 GPs working across one English county. Data was collected in 2017 via semi-structured interviews and analysed inductively using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis.ResultsThree themes were constructed from the data: 1) ‘Something we can do’: AMs were a tangible intervention GPs felt they could offer to provide symptom relief for patients approaching death. 2) ‘Getting the timing right’: the prescribing of AMs was recognised as a harbinger of death for patients and families. GPs preferred to prescribe drugs weeks before death was expected, while recognising this meant that many prescribed AMs were never used. 3) ‘Delegating care while retaining accountability’: GPs relied on nurse to assess when to administer drugs and keep them updated about their use.ConclusionGPs view AMs as key to symptom management for dying people. AMs are routinely prescribed even though they are often not used. In order to feel comfortable delegating care, GPs need regular access to nurses and trust in their skills to administer drugs appropriately. Patient and family experiences of AMs, and their preference for involvement in decision-making about their use warrant urgent investigation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-52
Author(s):  
Debbie Fortnum ◽  
Wendi Bradshaw

Context The latest KHA-CARI guidelines provide recommendations on screening for and management of blood-borne viruses (BBV) and multi-resistant organisms (MRO). The Guidelines comprise almost 80 pages, and include detailed practical advice related to clinical infection prevention, management considerations, and the working party’s evidence sourcing methodologies. Objectives To outline the format and content of the guidelines, summarising key points as relevant to nursing practice within haemodialysis units. To review the key points in the guidelines in regard to standard precautions, routine and enhanced surveillance screening, management of patients with positive results for BBV and MRO, environmental and equipment use and cleaning, use of personal protective equipment, and suggestions for clinical care. To highlight how the guidelines can support a dialysis unit in meeting relevant standards in the accreditation process. Key findings The KHA-CARI guidelines governing infection control in Australian and New Zealand haemodialysis units are detailed and evidence-based, and if adopted within an appropriate clinical governance framework, provide a comprehensive approach toward unit-based infection control that supports compliance with a number of the eight Australian National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) standards. Patient-centred care and implementation impact is a key focus of the guidelines, although they highlight limitations imposed by gaps in evidential knowledge. Conclusion The KHA-CARI infection control guidelines provide a high-quality, evidence-focused and detailed review of recommendations in regard to preventing and managing BBV and MRO infections in dialysis units. They align with NSQHS accreditation standards.


Author(s):  
Martina Rossitto ◽  
Paola Tabarini ◽  
Vanessa Tuccio Guarna Assanti ◽  
Enza Montemitro ◽  
Arianna Pompilio ◽  
...  

Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) exposes patients to the risk of developing anxiety and depression, with therapeutic compliance reduction, hospitalization increase, and quality of life and health outcomes deterioration. As pulmonary infections represent the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CF, environmental contamination due to droplet dispersion and the potential transmission from environment to such patients should be prevented. Therefore, in-person contact, including group-based psychotherapy, are strongly discouraged. Nevertheless, group sharing of disease-related experiences represents a way to recover the inner resources essential for dealing with a chronic pathology. Keeping in mind the guidelines for infection control, the aim of this study is to evaluate the risk of the dissemination of microorganisms in a restricted environment where patients with CF attend group psychotherapy sessions. Five patients, selected according to their microbiological status, attended 32 group-based psychological/psychoanalytic meetings. Before each session, they were asked to observe the infection control recommendations. Microbiological environmental monitoring (MEM) has been performed to evaluate both air and surface contamination. As reported, a strict observation of standard precautions allows one to avoid environmental contamination by pathogens of the CF respiratory tract. Although infection control guidelines discourage group-based psychological/psychoanalytic interventions, our observations report the feasibility and safety of group psychotherapy when strict precautions are taken.


Author(s):  
Alex Robinson ◽  
Liem Nguyen ◽  
Fleur Smith

The Washington Group questions (WGQ) on functioning have been widely promoted as the go-to tool for disability data collection. Designed for use by government, the WGQ have been adopted by non-government organizations (NGOs) for use in programming. However, little is known about how the WGQs are being used by NGOs or how use may be contributing to disability inclusion. Method: This paper describes exploratory research on the use of the WGQ in NGO programming. An online survey provided an overview of adoption followed by semi-structured interviews from a purposive sample to explore data collection, analysis, and use. Results: Thematic analysis showed limited inclusion outcomes directly attributable to use of the WGQ, adoption driven by individual champions rather than systematically across organizations, and challenges in data collection resulting in a wide range of prevalence rates. What information the WGQ can realistically contribute to programs was also overestimated. However, the process of using the WGQ was raising awareness on disability inclusion within program teams and communities. Conclusion: Acknowledging differences in emerging use by NGOs beyond the WGQ’s intended purpose, alongside promoting a flexible and staged approach to adoption and use in programming, may improve utility and disability inclusion outcomes over time.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110518
Author(s):  
Selin Keskin Kızıltepe ◽  
Zeliha Koç

Objective: To describe intensive care nurses’ experiences of caring for dying patients. Method: This study was carried out between July 15, 2019, and September 15, 2019, in a university hospital’s intensive care unit. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 14 intensive care nurses to describe their experiences related to patient deaths. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to identify, analyse and report the identified themes. Results: Four themes were identified: (I) Emotions experienced the first time their patient passed away; (II) feelings and thoughts on impact of death; (III) difficulties encountered when providing care and (IV) coping methods with this situation. Conclusion: Despite the passage of time, nurses are unable to forget their death experiences when they first encountered. They oftentimes use ineffective methods of coping and were negatively affected physically and emotionally.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 241-259
Author(s):  
Samantha Casey ◽  
Simon A. Moss ◽  
Joanne Wicks

The purpose of this study was to explore the accessibility of child-centered play therapy with Australian Muslim children. Eleven Australian Muslim parents participated in semi-structured interviews that explored three broad topics of play, counseling, and play therapy. Thematic analysis indicated that, despite several barriers to accessing counseling, child-centered play therapy may be accessible to this population. Specifically, several key insights emanated from the interviews. For example, Muslim adults tend to prefer Muslim health practitioners; however, when seeking a therapist to assist their child, these parents are not as concerned about the religious beliefs of health practitioners. In addition, despite cultural stigma against mental health services, Muslim parents invoke religious tenets to justify the importance of therapy. Furthermore, although play may be regarded as being indulgent in the Islamic community, Australian Muslim parents in this study appreciated the benefits of play to the development and progress of children and indicated the Islamic literature embrace play, especially before the age of 7 years. Implications for developing culturally responsive practice of play therapy and directions for future research are discussed.


Author(s):  
Kanamarlapudi Venkata Saikiran ◽  
Putta Sai Sahiti ◽  
Somisetty Venkata Mahalakshmi Mounika ◽  
Sainath Reddy Elicherla ◽  
Raichurkar Hemanth Kumar ◽  
...  

The present COVID-19 pandemic presents a high risk of transmission. Several infection control procedures have been employed to alleviate the further spread of this disease. The dental practice could be a potential risk factor for the transmission of this virus, which has a potential for aerosol generation. For a successful dental practice, effective infection control guidelines have to be established using relevant scientific research. In this perspective, the present article focused on current systematic reviews with evidence based effective treatment protocols during this pandemic.


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