scholarly journals Chlorhexidine wipes: Time to stop and think about allergy

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigid T Doolan ◽  
Helen M Crilly
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Isopropyl Alcohol ◽  
Multiple Reactions ◽  
Safe Management ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hidden Allergen

Summary We report three precautionary cases of perioperative anaphylaxis to chlorhexidine isopropyl alcohol antiseptic wipes (CAW). In two cases, the patients were inadvertently re-exposed to CAW despite known chlorhexidine hypersensitivity. Chlorhexidine has been described as ‘the hidden allergen’. As a result, patients may suffer multiple reactions before chlorhexidine is confirmed as the cause. Healthcare workers may not recognize that products they use for common clinical steps contain chlorhexidine. These cases highlight the need for constant vigilance to facilitate the safe management of patients with a history of chlorhexidine anaphylaxis.

scholarly journals Healthcare Workers’ Perspectives on the Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine in Terms of Their Exposure to the Influenza Vaccine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 465
Author(s):  
Leena R. Baghdadi ◽  
Shatha G. Alghaihb ◽  
Alanoud A. Abuhaimed ◽  
Dania M. Alkelabi ◽  
Rawan S. Alqahtani
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine ◽  
History Of

In 2019, a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)) caused a global pandemic. There was an urgent need to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 to reduce its spread and economic burden. The main objective of this study was to understand the attitudes and concerns of healthcare workers (HCWs) towards the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine, whether their decision was influenced by their history of taking the seasonal influenza vaccine, and factors that influence the acceptance of the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We selected and surveyed 356 HCWs via an electronic self-administered questionnaire. A total of 61.16% of HCWs were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and 55.9% of them had received the seasonal influenza vaccine in the preceding year (2019–2020). The strongest predictors for taking the COVID-19 vaccine were the HCWs’ belief that the COVID-19 vaccine would be safe, needed even for healthy people, that all HCWs should be vaccinated against COVID-19, and that HCWs will have time to take the vaccine. Being female, being middle aged, having <5 years of work experience, having no fear of injections, and being a non-smoker were predictive factors for taking the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. No associations were found between the intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine and a history of taking the seasonal influenza vaccine.

scholarly journals Vaccination strategy and anti - SARS-CoV-2 S titers in healthcare workers of the INT – IRCCS “Fondazione Pascale” Cancer Center (Naples, Italy)

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesta Cavalcanti ◽  
Maria Antonietta Isgrò ◽  
Domenica Rea ◽  
Lucia Di Capua ◽  
Giusy Trillò ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Vaccination Strategy ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the resulting disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), have spread to millions of people globally, requiring the development of billions of different vaccine doses. The SARS-CoV-2 spike mRNA vaccine (named BNT162b2/Pfizer), authorized by the FDA, has shown high efficacy in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection after administration of two doses in individuals 16 years of age and older. In the present study, we retrospectively evaluated the differences in the SARS-CoV-2 humoral immune response after vaccine administration in the two different cohorts of workers at the INT - IRCCS “Fondazione Pascale” Cancer Center (Naples, Italy): previously infected to SARS-CoV-2 subjects and not infected to SARS-CoV-2 subjects. Methods We determined specific anti-RBD (receptor-binding domain) titers against trimeric spike glycoprotein (S) of SARS-CoV-2 by Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S immunoassay in serum samples of 35 healthcare workers with a previous documented history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and 158 healthcare workers without, after 1 and 2 doses of vaccine, respectively. Moreover, geometric mean titers and relative fold changes (FC) were calculated. Results Both previously infected and not infected to SARS-CoV-2 subjects developed significant immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 after the administration of 1 and 2 doses of vaccine, respectively. Anti-S antibody responses to the first dose of vaccine were significantly higher in previously SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects in comparison to titers of not infected subjects after the first as well as the second dose of vaccine. Fold changes for subjects previously infected to SARS-CoV-2 was very modest, given the high basal antibody titer, as well as the upper limit of 2500.0 BAU/mL imposed by the Roche methods. Conversely, for naïve subjects, mean fold change following the first dose was low ($$ \overline{x} $$ x ¯ =1.6), reaching 3.8 FC in 72 subjects (45.6%) following the second dose. Conclusions The results showed that, as early as the first dose, SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals developed a remarkable and statistically significant immune response in comparison to those who did not contract the virus previously, suggesting the possibility of administering only one dose in previously SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects. FC for previously infected subjects should not be taken into account for the generally high pre-vaccination values. Conversely, FC for not infected subjects, after the second dose, were = 3.8 in > 45.0% of vaccinees, and ≤ 3.1 in 19.0%, the latter showing a potential susceptibility to further SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A great inspiration for today's vaccination efforts: Biographical sketch of Francisco Xavier Balmis (1753–1819)

2021 ◽  
pp. 096777202110347
Author(s):  
Gabriel E Andrade
Keyword(s):  
History Of Medicine ◽  
19Th Century ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Biographical Sketch ◽  
Spanish Colonial ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
History Of ◽  
The 19Th Century

The management of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic will require huge worldwide vaccination efforts. In this endeavour, healthcare workers face the twofold challenge of reaching remote areas, and persuading people to take the vaccine shots. As it happens, this is nothing new in the history of medicine. Health workers can take inspiration from Francisco Xavier Balmis, a Spanish physician of the 19th century who realised the importance of Jenner's vaccine against smallpox, and led a big successful expedition to administer the vaccines in the Spanish colonial possessions of the Western hemisphere and Asia. This article presents a biographical sketch of Balmis, focusing on his expedition.

scholarly journals Occupational Sharp Injury and Splash Exposure among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Hospital

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roshan Mathew ◽  
Ritin Mohindra ◽  
Ankit Sahu ◽  
Rachana Bhat ◽  
Akshaya Ramaswami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Needle Stick Injury ◽  
Medical Procedures ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus Antibody

Abstract Background Occupational hazards like sharp injury and splash exposure (SISE) are frequently encountered in health-care settings. The adoption of standard precautions by healthcare workers (HCWs) has led to significant reduction in the incidence of such injuries, still SISE continues to pose a serious threat to certain groups of HCWs. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective study which examined the available records of all patients from January 2015 to August 2019 who self-reported to our emergency department with history of sharp injury and/or splash exposure. Details of the patients, mechanism of injury, the circumstances leading to the injury, status of the source (hepatitis B surface antigen, human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis C virus antibody status), and the postexposure prophylaxis given were recorded and analyzed. Data were represented in frequency and percentages. Results During the defined period, a total of 834 HCWs reported with SISE, out of which 44.6% were doctors. Majority of the patients have SISE while performing medical procedures on patients (49.5%), while 19.2% were exposed during segregation of waste. The frequency of needle stick injury during cannulation, sampling, and recapping of needle were higher in emergency department than in wards. More than 80% of HCWs received hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin postexposure. Conclusion There is need for periodical briefings on practices of sharp handling as well as re-emphasizing the use of personal protective equipment while performing procedures.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare workers toward COVID-19 and its prevention in Ethiopia: A multicenter study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110343
Author(s):  
Bedru Jemal ◽  
Zemedu Aweke ◽  
Simeneh Mola ◽  
Sileshi Hailu ◽  
Sileshi Abiy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Medical Illness ◽  
Chronic Medical Illness ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
History Of ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

Background: An emerging respiratory disease abbreviated as coronavirus disease 2019 was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan city of China. The virus is zoonotic and tends to be transmitted between animals to humans and humans to humans. The major route of transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 is droplet and close contact. The Ethiopian Ministry of Health has initiated training for health care workers at a different level. Thus, the main objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health workers in Ethiopia toward coronavirus disease 2019 and its prevention techniques. Method: An institution-based multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in each of eight teaching and referral hospitals. A total of 422 Ethiopian healthcare workers were selected for the assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice toward coronavirus disease 2019. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with the attitude and knowledge of healthcare workers toward coronavirus disease 2019 at a significance level of p < 0.05. Result: Three hundred ninety-seven healthcare workers participated in the study, with a response rate of 94%. Among these, 88.2% and 94.7% of respondents had good knowledge and positive attitudes, respectively. A respondent with a history of chronic medical illness (odds ratio: 0.193, 95% confidence interval: 0.063–0.593), social media, telecommunication, and television/radio as a source of information were significantly associated with knowledge (odds ratio: 3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.5–7.4, OR: 4.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.3–14.3 and odds ratio: 3.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.4–7.2). In addition, respondents with a history of chronic medical illness were significantly associated with a negative attitude toward coronavirus disease 2019. Conclusion: The knowledge and attitude were good while; the practice was relatively low. Sources of information such as social media, telecommunication, and television/radio were positively associated with healthcare workers' knowledge about coronavirus disease 2019.

scholarly journals A survey of Nipah virus infection among various risk groups in Singapore

2002 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. P. CHAN ◽  
P. E. ROLLIN ◽  
T. G. KSIAZEK ◽  
Y. S. LEO ◽  
K. T. GOH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Past History ◽  
Nipah Virus ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Infected People ◽  
The People ◽  
History Of ◽  
Abattoir Workers

Following the Nipah virus (NV) outbreak in March 1999 in Singapore, a serological survey was undertaken to screen individuals potentially exposed to NV. Blood samples were tested for NV IgM, IgG and neutralizing antibodies. Twenty-two (1·5%) of 1469 people tested had antibodies suggesting NV infection. Although 12 of the 22 infected people (54·6%) were symptomatic, the remaining 10 (45·4%) were clinically well and had no past history of compatible pulmonary or neurological disease. Clinical and serological findings suggested three people had been infected with NV before the outbreak was recognized. All those who were infected were male abattoir workers. None of the people who had contact with horses, and no healthcare workers exposed to infected patients and their specimens had detectable antibodies. This study provides evidence that NV causes asymptomatic infection. All of the antibody positive individuals had direct contact with pigs and there was no evidence of human to human transmission.

Screening Healthcare Workers for Varicella-Zoster Virus: Can We Trust the History?

2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 595-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maha Almuneef ◽  
Ziad A. Memish ◽  
Mostafa F. Abbas ◽  
Hanan H. Balkhy
Keyword(s):  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
New Employees ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
History Of ◽  
Serologic Screening ◽  
New Recruits

AbstractObjective:To determine the relationship between immunity and a history of chickenpox based on a self-administered questionnaire.Methods:We investigated immunity to varicella-zoster virus in a cohort of newly recruited employees with different job categories and different nationalities using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay IgG.Results:There were 1,058 new recruits. Of these, 890 (84%) were immune and 168 (16%) were susceptible. The susceptibility rate was 23% (n = 77) for Asian, 15% (n = 14) for South African, 13% (n = 66) for Middle Eastern, and 9% (n = 11) for Western employees. Physicians were more likely to be immune (93%) than were nurses (85%), medical technicians (75%), or administrative clerks (84%). Seropositivity was not affected by age or gender. The positive predictive value of a history of chickenpox for the seropositivity was 89% (511 of 574); the negative predictive value was 22% (105 of 484). History of chickenpox had a sensitivity of 57% (511 of 890) and a specificity of 63% (105 of 168).Conclusions:The varicella-zoster virus seroprevalence among new employees was low, posing an important risk to existing employees and patients. Positive or negative history of chickenpox was an unreliable indicator of susceptibility among healthcare workers of different nationalities. Serologic screening of all employees and vaccination of those susceptible was recommended.

scholarly journals Knowledge, perceptions and practices of healthcare workers regarding the use of respiratory protection equipment at Iran hospitals

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzieh Honarbakhsh ◽  
Mehdi Jahangiri ◽  
Haleh Ghaem
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Respiratory Protection ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Job Experience ◽  
History Of ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Spss Software ◽  
Knowledge And Practice

Background: Using appropriate respiratory protection equipment (RPE) is very important to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) against respiratory hazards. The aim of this study was to identify the level of knowledge, perceptions and practices of HCWs on using RPE. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 284 employees of educational hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The study’s instrument was a self-made questionnaire that comprised four components: demographic inquiries and questions designed to assess the knowledge, perceptions and practice of HCWs regarding RPE. Collected data were analysed using SPSS software version 21. Results: Average scores of knowledge, perceptions and practice of HCWs on using RPE were 66.50% ± 11.93%, 80.32% ± 10.05% and 70.12% ± 20.51%, respectively. A significant association was observed between knowledge and age, job experience, history of using respirator, marital status and risk of respiratory hazards in the workplace and perceptions with age and education and practice with education. Conclusion: Studied HCWs had positive perceptions and moderate level of knowledge and practice about the use of RPE. Full implementation of respiratory protection program in the hospitals would be helpful to improve the knowledge, perceptions and practices of HCWs regarding RPE.

Alfin Catalysts and the Polymerization of Butadiene

1951 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-53
Author(s):  
Avery A. Morton
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Catalytic Polymerization ◽  
Sodium Salts ◽  
Multiple Reactions ◽  
Secondary Reactions ◽  
History Of ◽  
Organosodium Compounds

Abstract Alfin catalysts are special combinations of sodium salts which cause the rapid catalytic polymerization of butadiene to polymers of unusually high molecular weight. These polymerizations show characteristics which are common to all reactions of organosodium compounds, namely, the tendency to undergo multiple reactions. The reagents are also insoluble aggregates of ions whose behavior is affected by the ions in the aggregate. The history of the discovery is reviewed. The catalytic polymerization shows no property in common with the conventional sodium process for polymerizing butadiene. The present problems center in the elimination of secondary reactions that are known to occur. The theory by which all the reactions occur, including polymerizations induced by organosodium compounds, is discussed. Progress toward the practical use of the alfin polymers is being made.

Outbreak of Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection Among Thai Healthcare Workers

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 430-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anucha Apisarnthanarak ◽  
Rungrueng Kitphati ◽  
Pranee Tawatsupha ◽  
Kanokporn Thongphubeth ◽  
Piyaporn Apisarnthanarak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Serologic Test ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
History Of

Objective.To evaluate the correlation between self-report of a prior history of chickenpox and results of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immunoglobulin (Ig) G serologic test results in an outbreak of VZV infection among Thai healthcare workers (HCWs) and to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of establishing routine VZV immunization as part of an occupational health program on the basis of the outbreak data.Methods.All exposed patients received prophylaxis and the HCWs in our 3 intensive care units (ICUs) were prospectively evaluated. HCWs were assessed for disease history and serologic evidence of VZV IgG. A cost-benefit analysis was performed.Results.After 140 HCWs and 18 ICU patients were exposed to VZV, 10 HCWs (7%) with active VZV infection were relieved from work until skin lesions were crusted. Acyclovir (ACV) was prescribed to all 10 HCWs with active disease, and all 18 exposed patients received prophylaxis with ACV. Of 140 HCWs, 100 consented to longitudinal follow-up. Twenty-three (100%) of the HCWs who reported a history of chickenpox also had serologic test results that were postive for VZV IgG, compared with 30 (39%) of 77 HCWs who reported no prior history of chickenpox, yet had test results that were positive for VZV IgG. Reported history of chickenpox had a sensitivity of 43%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 61% with respect to VZV infection immunity. The total cost estimate for this outbreak investigation was $23,087.Conclusions.An HCWs reported history of chickenpox was a reliable predictor of immunity; a report of no prior history of chickenpox was unreliable. Our cost-benefit analysis suggests that the costs of an occupational health program that included VZV surveillance and immunization for the next 323 HCWs would be approximately equal to the excess costs of $17,227 for the ACV therapy, HCW furloughs, and staff overtime associated with this outbreak.

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