scholarly journals A Review of Single-Use and Reusable Gowns and Drapes in Health Care

2001 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 248-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Rutala ◽  
David J. Weber
Keyword(s):  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Surgical Site Infections ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Functional Requirements ◽  
Invasive Procedures ◽  
Bloodborne Pathogens ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Environmental Surfaces ◽  
Single Use

AbstractGowns and drapes are used widely in healthcare facilities. Gowns have been used to minimize the risk of disease acquisition by healthcare providers, to reduce the risk of patient-to-patient transmission, and during invasive procedures to aid in maintaining a sterile field. Drapes have been used during invasive procedures to maintain the sterility of environmental surfaces, equipment, and patients. This article reviews the use of gowns and drapes in healthcare facilities, including the characteristics, costs, benefits, and barrier effectiveness of single-use and reusable products.Currently, gowns protect healthcare personnel performing invasive procedures from contact with bloodborne pathogens. Although gowns have been recommended to prevent patient-to-patient transmission in certain settings (eg, neonatal intensive care unit) and for certain patients (eg, those infected with vancomycin-resistant enterococci), scientific studies have produced mixed results of their efficacy. While appropriate use of drapes during invasive procedures is recommended widely as an aid in minimizing contamination of the operative field, the efficacy of this practice in reducing surgical-site infections has not been assessed by scientific studies.Based on an evaluation of the functional requirements, environmental impact, and economics of gowns and drapes, clear superiority of either reusable or single-use gowns and drapes cannot be demonstrated. The selection of particular gowns and drapes by individual healthcare facilities requires an assessment of the facility's requirements, available products, and costs and should be based on the desired characteristics of an ideal gown or drape as defined in this paper.

RESEARCH: Dry Heat Processing of Single-Use Respirators and Surgical Masks

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 410-416
Author(s):  
Joyce M. Hansen ◽  
Scott Weiss ◽  
Terra A. Kremer ◽  
Myrelis Aguilar ◽  
Gerald McDonnell
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Airborne Particles ◽  
Heat Processing ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Dry Heat ◽  
Surgical Masks ◽  
Single Use

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has challenged healthcare providers in maintaining the supply of critical personal protective equipment, including single-use respirators and surgical masks. Single-use respirators and surgical masks can reduce risks from the inhalation of airborne particles and microbial contamination. The recent high-volume demand for single-use respirators and surgical masks has resulted in many healthcare facilities considering processing to address critical shortages. The dry heat process of 80°C (176°F) for two hours (120 min) has been confirmed to be an appropriate method for single-use respirator and surgical mask processing.

scholarly journals ROADMAP TO RESTARTING ELECTIVE SURGERIES POST COVID 19 PANDEMIC - AN ANESTHETISTS PERSPECTIVE

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Chaula Doshi ◽  
Priyanka Jagavkar
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Infection ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Medical Procedures ◽  
Plateau Phase ◽  
Invasive Procedures ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
The World ◽  
Close Contacts

Corona Virus Disease (COVID 19) is a respiratory infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 or COVID 19 virus which struck the world in November 2019 rapidly spreading and attaining the form of a pandemic by March 2020.The disease was officially named as Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) by WHO on February 11, 2020.Spread is predominantly through respiratory droplet and close contacts with infected individuals. Airborne transmission is possible during aerosol generating medical procedures as the virus is abundantly present in nasopharyngeal, salivary secretions and body fluids of affected patients. During the pre-peaking, peak and plateau phase of the epidemic, non-emergency surgeries and invasive procedures took a backseat as all resources of healthcare providers were put to combat the disease. As the pandemic fades away the need of adapting the healthcare facilities and restarting elective surgeries has to be addressed. In this article we try to highlight the various challenges faced by the surgeons, anesthetists and healthcare professionals to restart elective surgical work. The strategies to overcome these hurdles are also discussed.

Trends and Opportunities in Health Analytics as a Service and Implications for Use in Low Resource Settings: A Literature Review Abstract (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghana Bastwadkar ◽  
Carolyn McGregor ◽  
S Balaji
Keyword(s):  
Data Mining ◽  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Data Analytics ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Big Data Analytics ◽  
Healthcare Facilities

BACKGROUND This paper presents a systematic literature review of existing remote health monitoring systems with special reference to neonatal intensive care (NICU). Articles on NICU clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) which used cloud computing and big data analytics were surveyed. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to review technologies used to provide NICU CDSS. The literature review highlights the gaps within frameworks providing HAaaS paradigm for big data analytics METHODS Literature searches were performed in Google Scholar, IEEE Digital Library, JMIR Medical Informatics, JMIR Human Factors and JMIR mHealth and only English articles published on and after 2015 were included. The overall search strategy was to retrieve articles that included terms that were related to “health analytics” and “as a service” or “internet of things” / ”IoT” and “neonatal intensive care unit” / ”NICU”. Title and abstracts were reviewed to assess relevance. RESULTS In total, 17 full papers met all criteria and were selected for full review. Results showed that in most cases bedside medical devices like pulse oximeters have been used as the sensor device. Results revealed a great diversity in data acquisition techniques used however in most cases the same physiological data (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation) was acquired. Results obtained have shown that in most cases data analytics involved data mining classification techniques, fuzzy logic-NICU decision support systems (DSS) etc where as big data analytics involving Artemis cloud data analysis have used CRISP-TDM and STDM temporal data mining technique to support clinical research studies. In most scenarios both real-time and retrospective analytics have been performed. Results reveal that most of the research study has been performed within small and medium sized urban hospitals so there is wide scope for research within rural and remote hospitals with NICU set ups. Results have shown creating a HAaaS approach where data acquisition and data analytics are not tightly coupled remains an open research area. Reviewed articles have described architecture and base technologies for neonatal health monitoring with an IoT approach. CONCLUSIONS The current work supports implementation of the expanded Artemis cloud as a commercial offering to healthcare facilities in Canada and worldwide to provide cloud computing services to critical care. However, no work till date has been completed for low resource setting environment within healthcare facilities in India which results in scope for research. It is observed that all the big data analytics frameworks which have been reviewed in this study have tight coupling of components within the framework, so there is a need for a framework with functional decoupling of components.

scholarly journals Registration of Blood Exposure Accidents in the Netherlands by a Nationally Operating Call Center

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 1017-1023
Author(s):  
Peter M. Schneeberger ◽  
Annemarie E. Meiberg ◽  
Janet Warmelts ◽  
Sander C. A. P. Leenders ◽  
Paul T. L. van Wijk
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Call Center ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Hepatitis B Vaccination ◽  
Occupational Health Services ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Call Center Employees

Objective.Healthcare providers and other employees, especially those who do not work in a hospital, may not easily find help after the occurrence of a blood exposure accident. In 2006, a national call center was established in the Netherlands to fill this gap.Methods.All occupational blood exposure accidents reported to the 24-hours-per-day, 7-days-per-week call center from 2007, 2008, and 2009 were analyzed retrospectively for incidence rates, risk assessment, handling, and preventive measures taken.Results.A total of 2,927 accidents were reported. The highest incidence rates were reported for private clinics and hospitals (68.5 and 54.3 accidents per 1,000 person-years, respectively). Dental practices started reporting incidents frequently after the arrangement of a collective financial agreement with the call center. Employees of ambulance services, midwife practices, and private clinics reported mostly high-risk accidents, whereas penitentiaries frequently reported low-risk accidents. Employees in mental healthcare facilities, private clinics, and midwife practices reported accidents relatively late. The extent of hepatitis B vaccination in mental healthcare facilities, penitentiaries, occupational health services, and cleaning services was low (<70%).Conclusions.The national call center successfully organized the national registration and handling of blood exposure accidents. The risk of blood exposure accidents could be estimated on the basis of this information for several occupational branches. Targeted preventive measures for healthcare providers and other employees at risk can next be developed.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2012;33(10):1017-1023

scholarly journals What is stopping us? An implementation science study of kangaroo care in British Columbia’s neonatal intensive care units

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Coutts ◽  
Alix Woldring ◽  
Ann Pederson ◽  
Julie De Salaberry ◽  
Horacio Osiovich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Healthcare Provider ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes ◽  
Kangaroo Care ◽  
Optimal Care ◽  
Barriers And Enablers ◽  
Provider Beliefs

Abstract Background The goal of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is to provide optimal care for preterm and sick infants while supporting their growth and development. The NICU environment can be stressful for preterm infants and often cannot adequately support their neurodevelopmental needs. Kangaroo Care (KC) is an evidence-based developmental care strategy that has been shown to be associated with improved short and long term neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm infants. Despite evidence for best practice, uptake of the practice of KC in resource supported settings remains low. The aim of this study was to identify and describe healthcare providers’ perspectives on the barriers and enablers of implementing KC. Methods This qualitative study was set in 11 NICUs in British Columbia, Canada, ranging in size from 6 to 70 beds, with mixed levels of care from the less acute up to the most complex acute neonatal care. A total of 35 semi-structured healthcare provider interviews were conducted to understand their experiences providing KC in the NICU. Data were coded and emerging themes were identified. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) guided our research methods. Results Four overarching themes were identified as barriers and enablers to KC by healthcare providers in their particular setting: 1) the NICU physical environment; 2) healthcare provider beliefs about KC; 3) clinical practice variation; and 4) parent presence. Depending on the specific features of a given site these factors functioned as an enabler or barrier to practicing KC. Conclusions A ‘one size fits all’ approach cannot be identified to guide Kangaroo Care implementation as it is a complex intervention and each NICU presents unique barriers and enablers to its uptake. Support for improving parental presence, shifting healthcare provider beliefs, identifying creative solutions to NICU design and space constraints, and the development of a provincial guideline for KC in NICUs may together provide the impetus to change practice and reduce barriers to KC for healthcare providers, families, and administrators at local and system levels.

scholarly journals Inactivation of Candida auris and Candida albicans by Ultraviolet-C

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s292-s292
Author(s):  
William Rutala ◽  
Hajime Kanamori ◽  
Maria Gergen ◽  
Emily Sickbert-Bennett ◽  
David Jay Weber
Keyword(s):  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Candida Auris ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Environmental Surfaces ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
Indirect Exposure ◽  
Ultraviolet C ◽  
Severe Infections ◽  
Uv C

Background:Candida auris is an emerging fungal pathogen that is often resistant to major classes of antifungal drugs. It is considered a serious global health threat because it has caused severe infections with frequent mortality in over a dozen countries. C. auris can survive on healthcare environmental surfaces for at least 7 days, and it causes outbreaks in healthcare facilities. C. auris has an environmental route of transmission. Thus, infection prevention strategies, such as surface disinfection and room decontamination technologies (eg, ultraviolet [UV-C] light), will be essential to controlling transmission. Unfortunately, data are limited regarding the activity of UV-C to inactivate this pathogen. In this study, a UV-C device was evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against C. auris and C. albicans. Methods: We tested the antifungal activity of a single UV-C device using the vegetative bacteria cycle, which delivers a reflected dose of 12,000 µW/cm2. This testing was performed using Formica sheets (7.6 × 7.6 cm; 3 × 3 inches). The carriers were inoculated with C. auris or C. albicans and placed horizontal on the surface or vertical (ie, perpendicular) to the vertical UV-C lamp and at a distance from 1. 2 m (~4 ft) to 2.4 m (~8 ft). Results: Direct UV-C, with or without FCS (log10 reduction 4.57 and 4.45, respectively), exhibited a higher log10 reduction than indirect UV-C for C. auris (log10 reduction 2.41 and 1.96, respectively), which was statistically significant (Fig. 1 and Table 1). For C. albicans, although direct UV-C had a higher log10 reduction (log10 reduction with and without FCS, 5.26 and 5.07, respectively) compared to indirect exposure (log10 reduction with and without FCS, 3.96 and 3.56, respectively), this difference was not statistically significant. The vertical UV had statistically higher log10 reductions than horizontal UV against C. auris and C. albicans with FCS and without FCS. For example, for C. auris with FCS the log10 reduction for vertical surfaces was 4.92 (95% CI 3.79, 6.04) and for horizontal surfaces the log10 reduction was 2.87 (95% CI, 2.36–3.38). Conclusions:C. auris can be inactivated on environmental surfaces by UV-C as long as factors that affect inactivation are optimized (eg, exposure time). These data and other published UV-C data should be used in developing cycle parameters that prevent contaminated surfaces from being a source of acquisition by staff or patients of this globally emerging pathogen.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Community health worker models in South Africa: a qualitative study on policy implementation of the 2018/19 revised framework

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua P Murphy ◽  
Aneesa Moolla ◽  
Sharon Kgowedi ◽  
Constance Mongwenyana ◽  
Sithabile Mngadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Policy Implementation ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Programme Implementation ◽  
Healthcare Facilities

Abstract South Africa has a long history of community health workers (CHWs). It has been a journey that has required balancing constrained resources and competing priorities. CHWs form a bridge between communities and healthcare service provision within health facilities and act as the cornerstone of South Africa’s Ward-Based Primary Healthcare Outreach Teams. This study aimed to document the CHW policy implementation landscape across six provinces in South Africa and explore the reasons for local adaptation of CHW models and to identify potential barriers and facilitators to implementation of the revised framework to help guide and inform future planning. We conducted a qualitative study among a sample of Department of Health Managers at the National, Provincial and District level, healthcare providers, implementing partners [including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who worked with CHWs] and CHWs themselves. Data were collected between April 2018 and December 2018. We conducted 65 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with healthcare providers, managers and experts familiar with CHW work and nine focus group discussions (FGDs) with 101 CHWs. We present (i) current models of CHW policy implementation across South Africa, (ii) facilitators, (iii) barriers to CHW programme implementation and (iv) respondents’ recommendations on how the CHW programme can be improved. We chronicled the differences in NGO involvement, the common facilitators of purpose and passion in the CHWs’ work and the multitude of barriers and resource limitations CHWs must work under. We found that models of implementation vary greatly and that adaptability is an important aspect of successful implementation under resource constraints. Our findings largely aligned to existing research but included an evaluation of districts/provinces that had not previously been explored together. CHWs continue to promote health and link their communities to healthcare facilities, in spite of lack of permanent employment, limited resources, such as uniforms, and low wages.

Sharp Decrease of Reported Occupational Blood and Body Fluid Exposures in French Hospitals, 2003–2012: Results of the French National Network Survey, AES-RAISIN

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 963-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Floret ◽  
O. Ali-Brandmeyer ◽  
F. L’Hériteau ◽  
C. Bervas ◽  
S. Barquins-Guichard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Fluid ◽  
Sharp Decrease ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
National Network ◽  
The Past ◽  
Personnel Safety ◽  
Voluntary Basis

OBJECTIVETo assess the temporal trend of reported occupational blood and body fluid exposures (BBFE) in French healthcare facilities.METHODRetrospective follow-up of reported BBFE in French healthcare facilities on a voluntary basis from 2003 to 2012 with a focus on those enrolled every year from 2008 to 2012 (stable cohort 2008–12).FINDINGSReported BBFE incidence rate per 100 beds decreased from 7.5% in 2003 to 6.3% in 2012 (minus 16%). Percutaneous injuries were the most frequent reported BBFE (84.0% in 2003 and 79.1% in 2012). Compliance with glove use (59.1% in 2003 to 67.0% in 2012) and sharps-disposal container accessibility (68.1% in 2003 to 73.4% in 2012) have both increased. A significant drop in preventable BBFE was observed (48.3% in 2003 to 30.9% in 2012). Finally, the use of safety-engineered devices increased from 2008 to 2012.CONCLUSIONOf the 415,209 hospital beds in France, 26,158 BBFE could have occurred in France in 2012, compared with 35,364 BBFE in 2003. Healthcare personnel safety has been sharply improved during the past 10 years in France.Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(8):963–968

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