scholarly journals Germicidal Activity against Carbapenem/Colistin-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Using a Quantitative Carrier Test Method

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hajime Kanamori ◽  
William A. Rutala ◽  
Maria F. Gergen ◽  
Emily E. Sickbert-Bennett ◽  
David J. Weber
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Care Settings ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Carrier Test ◽  
Suspension Test

ABSTRACT Susceptibility to germicides for carbapenem/colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae is poorly described. We investigated the efficacy of multiple germicides against these emerging antibiotic-resistant pathogens using the disc-based quantitative carrier test method that can produce results more similar to those encountered in health care settings than a suspension test. Our study results demonstrated that germicides commonly used in health care facilities likely will be effective against carbapenem/colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae when used appropriately in health care facilities.

scholarly journals Survival, Persistence, and Isolation of the Emerging Multidrug-Resistant Pathogenic Yeast Candida auris on a Plastic Health Care Surface

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (10) ◽  
pp. 2996-3005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rory M. Welsh ◽  
Meghan L. Bentz ◽  
Alicia Shams ◽  
Hollis Houston ◽  
Amanda Lyons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Candida Auris ◽  
Pathogenic Yeast ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Care Settings ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Enrichment Protocol ◽  
Plastic Surfaces

ABSTRACTThe emerging multidrug-resistant pathogenic yeastCandida aurisrepresents a serious threat to global health. Unlike most otherCandidaspecies, this organism appears to be commonly transmitted within health care facilities and causes health care-associated outbreaks. To better understand the epidemiology of this emerging pathogen, we investigated the ability ofC. auristo persist on plastic surfaces common in health care settings compared with that ofCandida parapsilosis, a species known to colonize the skin and plastics. Specifically, we compiled comparative and quantitative data essential to understanding the vehicles of spread and the ability of both species to survive and persist on plastic surfaces under controlled conditions (25°C and 57% relative humidity), such as those found in health care settings. When a test suspension of 104cells was applied and dried on plastic surfaces,C. aurisremained viable for at least 14 days andC. parapsilosisfor at least 28 days, as measured by CFU. However, survival measured by esterase activity was higher forC. auristhanC. parapsilosisthroughout the 28-day study. Given the notable length of timeCandidaspecies survive and persist outside their host, we developed methods to more effectively cultureC. aurisfrom patients and their environment. Using our enrichment protocol, public health laboratories and researchers can now readily isolateC. aurisfrom complex microbial communities (such as patient skin, nasopharynx, and stool) as well as environmental biofilms, in order to better understand and preventC. auriscolonization and transmission.

Patient satisfaction with the quality of care in Ghana’s health-care institutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Asibi Abuosi ◽  
Mahama Braimah
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Facilities

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine patient satisfaction with the quality of care in Ghana’s health-care facilities using a disaggregated approach. Design/methodology/approach The study was a cross-sectional national survey. A sample of 4,079 males and females in the age group of 15-49 years were interviewed. Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis and t-tests were used in statistical analysis. Findings About 70 per cent of patients were satisfied with the quality of care provided in health-care facilities in Ghana, whereas about 30 per cent of patients were fairly satisfied. Females and insured patients were more likely to be satisfied with the quality of care, compared with males and uninsured patients. Research limitations/implications Because data were obtained from a national survey, the questionnaire did not include the type of facility patients attended to find out whether satisfaction with the quality of care varied by the type of health facility. Future studies may, therefore, include this. Practical implications The study contributes to the literature on patient satisfaction with the quality of care. It highlights that long waiting time remains an intractable problem at various service delivery units of health facilities and constitutes a major source of patient dissatisfaction with the quality of care. Innovative measures must, therefore, be adopted to address the problem. Originality/value There is a paucity of research that uses a disaggregated approach to examine patient satisfaction with the quality of care at various service delivery units of health facilities. This study is a modest contribution to this research gap.

Indoor air in healing environments

Facilities ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 600-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Gola ◽  
Gaetano Settimo ◽  
Stefano Capolongo
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Chemical Pollution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Maintenance Activities

Purpose Several countries have carried out air quality monitoring in professional workplaces where chemicals are used. Health-care spaces have been less investigated. This paper aims to define a protocol, as developed by a research group, for inpatient rooms to understand the state of the art and to suggest design and management strategies for improving process quality. Design/methodology/approach Starting from the ISO-16000 standard and guidelines for monitoring activities, a protocol is defined for a one year investigation, with passive samplers. Through data analysis of the investigations and analysis of the cleaning and finishing products, heating, ventilation and air conditioning and maintenance activities, etc., it is possible to highlight the potential influences of chemical pollution. Findings A methodology is defined for understanding the chemical pollution and the possible factors related to construction materials, cleaning products and maintenance activities. Research limitations/implications The paper analyzes only a limited number of case studies because the monitoring activity is still in progress. Practical implications The investigation offers a starting point for a wide tool for the definition of design, maintenance and management strategies in health-care facilities. Social implications The research project, aimed at improving the knowledge of indoor air quality (IAQ) in inpatient rooms, is a starting point for a supporting tool for future regulations concerning health-care facilities. Originality/value IAQ is an issue on which many governments are focusing. Several health-care researchers have reported studies that aim at improving users’ health. Most investigations are about biological and physical risks, but chemical risks have been less studied. The paper suggests some design and management strategies for inpatient room.

Confidentiality and security of information in the public health-care facilities to curb HIV/AIDS trauma among patients in Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngoako Solomon Marutha ◽  
Olefhile Mosweu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Aids Patients ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Hiv Aids

Purpose This study sought to investigate a framework for ensuring the confidentiality and security of information at the public health-care facilities to curb HIV/AIDS trauma among patients in Africa. In most instances, trauma to HIV/AIDS patients accelerate because of their personal information relating to the state of illness leaks to public people. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study used literature to study confidentiality and security of information at the public health-care facilities to curb HIV/AIDS trauma among patients in Africa. Findings The study revealed that confidentiality and security of information has been neglected, in most instances, at the health-care facilities, and this has, to some extent, affected HIV/AIDS patients negatively, leading to trauma, stigma and skipping of treatment by patients resulting in accelerated mortality among chronic patients. The study recommends that patients’ information be always strictly controlled and kept confidential and secured at all the times, especially that of HIV/AIDS patients. Practical implications The proposed framework can be used by health-care facilities to guide the management and promotion of the confidentiality and security of information in the public health-care facilities to curb additional trauma to HIV/AIDS patients in the context of Africa, and even beyond. Originality/value The study provides a framework to ensure the confidentiality and security of information at the public health-care facilities to curb additional trauma to HIV/AIDS patients.

Renovation in hospitals: a case study on the use of control cubes for local repairs in health-care facilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-257
Author(s):  
Ehsan Mousavi ◽  
Vivek Sharma ◽  
Dhaval Gajjar ◽  
Shervin Shoai Naini
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Repair Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Pathogenic Agents ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the control cubes for dust control in health-care facilities. Research shows that more than 80% of pathogenic agents in hospitals are spread into the air, where they either remain airborne or deposit on the surface. At the same time, renovation and repair activities, including regular maintenance, are a necessity in active health-care facilities and a multitude of studies have documented their impact on indoor air quality. The dust that is generated by construction activities may potentially carry pathogenic agents, varying from coarse particles (≤10 µm, PM10) to fine particles (≤2.5 µm, PM2.5), including airborne bacteria, and fungal spores linked to high patient mortality in immune-compromised patients. Design/methodology/approach This study measures the impact and effectiveness of one such preventative measure, namely, the control cube (CC), on air quality during renovation and repair. CC is a temporary structure, typically made from stainless steel, around the local repair zone to minimize the spread of dust and potential microorganisms. The current paper presents a comparative analysis to identify the effectiveness of a CC equipped with the high-efficiency particulate filtration (HEPA) filter in a hospital setting by simulating construction renovation and repair work. Findings A baseline was established to measure the effectiveness of CCs and the impact of negative pressure on the indoor air quality in a hospital during simulated renovation work. Results showed that CCs are very effective in minimizing the spread of dust due to construction activities in the hospital. However, it is imperative to ensure that the air inside the CC is cleaned via filtration. Originality/value CCs are very effective, and this paper investigates the best approach for facility managers to implement this strategy.

scholarly journals Molecular Survey of the Dissemination of TwoblaKPC-Harboring IncFIA Plasmids in New Jersey and New York Hospitals

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 2289-2294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Chen ◽  
Kalyan D. Chavda ◽  
Roberto G. Melano ◽  
Tao Hong ◽  
Albert D. Rojtman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
New York ◽  
New Jersey ◽  
Plasmid Transfer ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Conjugative Plasmid ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Clonal Spread ◽  
Sequence Types

ABSTRACTKlebsiella pneumoniaecarbapenemase (KPC)-producingK. pneumoniaestrains have spread worldwide and become a major threat in health care facilities. Transmission ofblaKPC, the plasmid-borne KPC gene, can be mediated by clonal spread and horizontal transfer. Here, we report the complete nucleotide sequences of two novelblaKPC-3-harboring IncFIA plasmids, pBK30661 and pBK30683. pBK30661 is 74 kb in length, with a mosaic plasmid structure; it exhibits homologies to several other plasmids but lacks the plasmid transfer operon (tra) and the origin of transfer (oriT) that are required for plasmid transfer. pBK30683 is a conjugative plasmid with a cointegrated plasmid structure, comprising a 72-kb element that highly resembles pBK30661 (>99.9% nucleotide identities) and an extra 68-kb element that harborstraandoriT. A PCR scheme was designed to detect the distribution ofblaKPC-harboring IncFIA (pBK30661-like and pBK30683-like) plasmids in a collection of clinicalEnterobacteriaceaeisolates from 10 hospitals in New Jersey and New York. KPC-harboring IncFIA plasmids were found in 20% of 491K. pneumoniaeisolates, and all carriedblaKPC-3. pBK30661-like plasmids were identified mainly in the epidemic sequence type 258 (ST258)K. pneumoniaeclone, while pBK30683-like plasmids were widely distributed in ST258 and otherK. pneumoniaesequence types and among non-K. pneumoniae Enterobacteriaceaespecies. This suggests that both clonal spread and horizontal plasmid transfer contributed to the dissemination ofblaKPC-harboring IncFIA plasmids in our area. Further studies are needed to understand the distribution of this plasmid group in other health care regions and to decipher the origins of pBK30661-like and pBK30683-like plasmids.

Incorporating sustainability in small health-care facilities: an integrated model

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Wing Ki Chu ◽  
Lenis Lai Wan Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Execution Plan ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Day To Day Operations ◽  
Leadership And Change ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeIt is challenging for small health-care facilities to implement changes when human and financial resources are limited for day-to-day operations. This paper aims to propose an integrated model for small- and medium-sized health-care facilities to integrate sustainability in their day-to-day operations, which have been derived from the leadership and change theories.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on previous research on leadership and change theories, the paper first critically reviewed the approaches to implementing changes and how applicable they are in the context of small- and medium-sized health-care facilities. Next, it proposes an integrated model with an execution plan.FindingsThe first part of the paper discusses how either the planned approach or emergent approach for change may fail in facilitating the implementation of sustainable initiatives, as incorporating sustainability into operations require both leadership of change and open learning systems. The second part outlines the four-phase combined approach, which includes phases of “exploration”, “planning”, “action” and “integration”, and discusses how change readiness is ensured through such approach.Practical implicationsThe authors propose an integrated model as a framework for integrating sustainability into the operations of small health-care facilities. The clearest possible steps at various phases are proposed. Potential barriers and risks are highlighted and the coping strategies proposed to maximise the chance of successfully transforming organisations.Originality/valueApplying the “how to” ideas based on the integrated model for change management will help leaders of health-care facilities gradually integrate sustainability into their day-to-day operations.

scholarly journals Integration of Chiropractic Services in Military and Veteran Health Care Facilities

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart N. Green ◽  
Claire D. Johnson ◽  
Clinton J. Daniels ◽  
Jason G. Napuli ◽  
Jordan A. Gliedt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Veteran Health ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Severe Injuries ◽  
Health Care Settings ◽  
Military Service Members ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Veteran Health Care

This literature review examined studies that described practice, utilization, and policy of chiropractic services within military and veteran health care environments. A systematic search of Medline, CINAHL, and Index to Chiropractic Literature was performed from inception through April 2015. Thirty articles met inclusion criteria. Studies reporting utilization and policy show that chiropractic services are successfully implemented in various military and veteran health care settings and that integration varies by facility. Doctors of chiropractic that are integrated within military and veteran health care facilities manage common neurological, musculoskeletal, and other conditions; severe injuries obtained in combat; complex cases; and cases that include psychosocial factors. Chiropractors collaboratively manage patients with other providers and focus on reducing morbidity for veterans and rehabilitating military service members to full duty status. Patient satisfaction with chiropractic services is high. Preliminary findings show that chiropractic management of common conditions shows significant improvement.

scholarly journals Patient satisfaction with rheumatological outpatient care in the Republic of Bashkortostan

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-3
Author(s):  
I.Z. Zubairov ◽  
◽  
L.Sh. Nazarova ◽  
S.G. Ahmerova ◽  
D.Kh. Kalimullina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Outpatient Care ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Republic Of Bashkortostan ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
The Republic

Due to high prevalence of rheumatic diseases, which are often characterized by a chronic, progressive course and early patient disability, the problem of health care quality in rheumatology remains extremely relevant. The purpose of the study was to analyze patient satisfaction with availability and quality of rheumatological outpatient care provided by health care facilities of the Republic of Bashkortostan. A survey of 289 adult patients who visited a rheumatologist for outpatient care at health care facilities of the Republic of Bashkortostan was conducted from May,1 to December,1, 2019 The study results show that in general patients expressed high satisfaction with the services provided and conditions of health care facilities (77% and 78%, respectively). At the same time, satisfaction with doctors’ professional skills was moderate (54%), while satisfaction with the organization of making a rheumatological appointment and official website of the facility was low (37% and 29%, respectively). In general, the data obtained indicate that patients highly appreciate quality of rheumatological outpatient care in the Republic of Bashkortostan. However, the need to further improve professional competencies of doctors, organization of scheduling appointments and official websites of health care facilities call for a special attention.

Information management practices in public tertiary health-care facilities: an empirical investigation from the state of Kuwait

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dari Alhuwail
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Health Care Organizations ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Standard ◽  
Care Facilities

Purpose This paper aims to gain insights about information management practices in public health-care organizations in Kuwait and offer recommendations to improve these practices. Design/methodology/approach This study involves secondary analysis of quantitative and qualitative accreditation-related data pertaining to the compliance with the Information Management standard at seven public tertiary health-care facilities over two accreditation cycles. Findings Overall, organizations improved their compliance with the Information Management standard. However, issues exist with effectively and efficiently transmitting data, aggregating clinical and administrative data and using the information for both strategic planning and quality improvement initiatives. Research limitations/implications The analysed data set does not provide information about the improvements done between the accreditation cycles. Caution should be applied before assuming generalizability of the results, considering the context and social constructs around the health-care system is essential. Practical implications Compliance with predetermined criteria through accreditation can improve information management practices. Without proper management of information at health-care facilities, achieving safe and effective patient care is futile. The role of health information technology (IT) should not be sidelined; robust health IT solutions can help support good information management practices thereby improving care quality and aiding health-care reform. Originality/value Concerning information management, health-care organizations providing focused services have clear advantages over organizations providing general care services. Considering the type of care organization (general vs specialized) can provide insights into how information management practices can affect the operations of the organization.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document