Differences in identifying healthcare associated infections using clinical vignettes and the influence of respondent characteristics: a cross-sectional survey of Australian infection prevention staff

Background.Research suggests that patients could improve healthcare workers' compliance with hand hygiene recommendations by reminding them to cleanse their hands.Objective.To assess patients' perceptions of a patient-participation program to improve healthcare workers' compliance with hand hygiene.Design.Cross-sectional survey of patient knowledge and perceptions of healthcare-associated infections, hand hygiene, and patient participation, defined as the active involvement of patients in various aspects of their health care.Setting.Large Swiss teaching hospital.Results.Of 194 patients who participated, most responded that they would not feel comfortable asking a nurse (148 respondents [76%]) or a physician (150 [77%]) to perform hand hygiene, and 57 (29%) believed that this would help prevent healthcare-associated infections. In contrast, an explicit invitation from a healthcare worker to ask about hand hygiene doubled the intention to ask a nurse (from 34% to 83% of respondents; P < .001) and to ask a physician (from 30% to 78%; P < .001). In multivariate analysis, being nonreligious, having an expansive personality, being concerned about healthcare-associated infections, and believing that patient participation would prevent healthcare-associated infections were associated with the intention to ask a nurse or a physician to perform hand hygiene (P < .05). Being of Jewish, Eastern Orthodox, or Buddhist faith was associated also with increased intention to ask a nurse (P < .05), compared with being of Christian faith.Conclusions.This study identifies several sociodemographic characteristics associated with the intention to ask nurses and physicians about hand hygiene and underscores the importance of a direct invitation from healthcare workers to increase patient participation and foster patient empowerment. These findings could guide the development of future hand hygiene-promotion strategies.

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National point prevalence survey on healthcare-associated infections in acute care hospitals, Switzerland, 2017

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.32.1800603 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (32) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Walter Zingg ◽

Aliki Metsini ◽

Carlo Balmelli ◽

Dionysios Neofytos ◽

Michael Behnke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Care ◽

Acute Care Hospitals ◽

Point Prevalence ◽

Healthcare Associated Infections ◽

Limited Information ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Prevalence Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Point Prevalence Survey ◽

Healthcare Associated

Background As a part of the national strategy on the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAI), a point prevalence survey (PPS) was conducted in acute care hospitals in Switzerland. Aim Our objective was to assess the burden of HAI in Swiss acute care hospitals. Methods All acute care hospitals were invited to participate in this cross-sectional survey during the second quarter of 2017. The protocol by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control was applied. Patients of all ages, hospitalised on the day of survey were included, except when admitted to outpatient clinics, emergency and psychiatry. Results Ninety-six acute care hospitals (79% of all hospitals ≥ 100 beds) provided data on 12,931 patients. Pooled and randomised HAI prevalences were 5.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.5–6.3) and 5.4% (95% CI: 4.8–6.0), respectively. The HAI incidence was estimated at 4.5 (95% CI: 4.0–5.0). The most common type of HAI was surgical site infection (29.0%), followed by lower respiratory tract (18.2%), urinary tract (14.9%) and bloodstream (12.8%) infections. The highest prevalence was identified in intensive care (20.6%), in large hospitals > 650 beds (7.8%), among elderly patients (7.4%), male patients (7.2%) and patients with an ultimately (9.3%) or rapidly (10.6%) fatal McCabe score. Discussion This is the first national PPS of Switzerland allowing direct comparison with other European countries. The HAI prevalence was at European Union average (5.9% in 2016 and 2017), but higher than in some countries neighbouring Switzerland. Based on the limited information from previous surveys, HAI appear not to decrease.

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A cross-sectional survey of the acceptability of data collection processes for validation of a European point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use

Journal of Infection Prevention ◽

10.1177/1757177416637131 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 122-126 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lesley Price ◽

Jacqui Reilly ◽

Jon Godwin ◽

Shona Cairns ◽

Susan Hopkins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Point Prevalence ◽

Antimicrobial Use ◽

Healthcare Associated Infections ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Prevalence Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Point Prevalence Survey ◽

Healthcare Associated

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Interfacility transfer communication of multidrug-resistant organism colonization or infection status: Practices and barriers in the acute-care setting

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2021.131 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Katherine D. Ellingson ◽

Brie N. Noble ◽

Genevieve L. Buser ◽

Graham M. Snyder ◽

Jessina C. McGregor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Care ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Research Network ◽

Resistant Organism ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hospital Size ◽

Academic Affiliation ◽

Healthcare Epidemiology

Abstract Objective: To describe interfacility transfer communication (IFTC) methods for notification of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) status in a diverse sample of acute-care hospitals. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Participants: Hospitals within the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Research Network (SRN). Methods: SRN members completed an electronic survey on protocols and methods for IFTC. We assessed differences in IFTC frequency, barriers, and perceived benefit by presence of an IFTC protocol. Results: Among 136 hospital representatives who were sent the survey, 54 (40%) responded, of whom 72% reported having an IFTC protocol in place. The presence of a protocol did not differ significantly by hospital size, academic affiliation, or international status. Of those with IFTC protocols, 44% reported consistent notification of MDRO status (>75% of the time) to receiving facilities, as opposed to 13% from those with no IFTC protocol (P = .04). Respondents from hospitals with IFTC protocols reported significantly fewer barriers to communication compared to those without (2.8 vs 4.3; P = .03). Overall, however, most respondents (56%) reported a lack of standardization in communication. Presence of an IFTC protocol did not affect whether respondents perceived IFTC protocols as having a significant impact on infection prevention or antimicrobial stewardship. Conclusions: Most respondents reported having an IFTC protocol, which was associated with reduced communication barriers at transfer. Standardization of protocols and clarity about expectations for sending and receipt of information related to MDRO status may facilitate IFTC and promote appropriate and timely infection prevention practices.

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Healthcare workers’ compliance and its potential determinants to prevent COVID-19 in public hospitals in Western Ethiopia

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-021-06149-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Werku Etafa ◽

Gosa Gadisa ◽

Shibiru Jabessa ◽

Tagay Takele

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Associated ◽

Staff Commitment ◽

Western Ethiopia

Abstract Background Globally, Coronavirus disease-19 has created unprecedented challenges to public health. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of COVID-19 because of their profession. There are limited studies conducted in Ethiopia among HCWs regarding their compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures. Therefore, this study intended to assess HCWs’ compliance with measures to prevent COVID-19, and its potential determinants in public hospitals in Western Ethiopia. Methods A self-administered, multicenter hospital-based cross-sectional survey was proposed to 422 randomly selected HCWs working in seven public hospitals in Western Ethiopia identified as COVID-19 referral centers. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Binary logistic regression was used to identify potential determinants of outcome variables at p-value < 0.05. Results Out of 422 completed questionnaires, the overall HCWs’ compliance with COVID-19 prevention is 22% (n = 404). In multivariate regression analysis, factors such as spending most of caring time at bedside (AOR = 1.94, 95%CI, 1.06–3.55), receiving training on infection prevention/COVID-19 (AOR = 1.86, 95%CI, 1.04–3.33), reading materials on COVID-19 (AOR = 2.04, 95%CI, 1.14–3.63) and having support from hospital management (AOR = 2.09, 95%CI, 1.20–3.64) were found to be significantly associated with COVID-19 preventive measures. Furthermore, inadequate supplies of appropriate personal protective equipment (83.2%), insufficient supportive medications (78.5%), and lack of provision of adequate ventilation (77.7%) were the barriers to COVID-19 prevention most frequently mentioned by participants. Conclusion Our findings highlight HCWs’ poor compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures. Providing information and refreshing training to improve the level of healthcare workers’ adherence with COVID-19 prevention is as imperative as increasing staff commitment to supply resources necessary to protect HCWs and to reduce healthcare-associated infections transmission of SARS-COV-2.

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A nosocomial cluster of vancomycin resistant enterococci among COVID-19 patients in an intensive care unit

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control ◽

10.1186/s13756-020-00820-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Stefanie Kampmeier ◽

Hauke Tönnies ◽

Carlos L. Correa-Martinez ◽

Alexander Mellmann ◽

Vera Schwierzeck

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Control Measures ◽

Whole Genome Sequence ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Healthcare Associated Infections ◽

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽

Vancomycin Resistant ◽

Healthcare Associated

Abstract Background Currently, hospitals have been forced to divert substantial resources to cope with the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It is unclear if this situation will affect long-standing infection prevention practices and impact on healthcare associated infections. Here, we report a nosocomial cluster of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) that occurred on a COVID-19 dedicated intensive care unit (ICU) despite intensified contact precautions during the current pandemic. Whole genome sequence-based typing (WGS) was used to investigate genetic relatedness of VRE isolates collected from COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients during the outbreak and to compare them to environmental VRE samples. Methods Five VRE isolated from patients (three clinical and two screening samples) as well as 11 VRE and six vancomycin susceptible Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) samples from environmental sites underwent WGS during the outbreak investigation. Isolate relatedness was determined using core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). Results WGS revealed two genotypic distinct VRE clusters with genetically closely related patient and environmental isolates. The cluster was terminated by enhanced infection control bundle strategies. Conclusions Our results illustrate the importance of continued adherence to infection prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent VRE transmission and healthcare associated infections.

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Written versus verbal information for patients' education on healthcare-associated infections: a cross-sectional study

Journal of Hospital Infection ◽

10.1016/j.jhin.2015.08.019 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 91 (4) ◽

pp. 358-361 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Bo ◽

V. Amprino ◽

P. Dalmasso ◽

P.A. Argentero ◽

C.M. Zotti

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthcare Associated Infections ◽

Verbal Information ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Associated

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Using social media to disseminate research in infection prevention, hospital epidemiology, and antimicrobial stewardship

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2019.231 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (11) ◽

pp. 1262-1268 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kelly A. Cawcutt ◽

Jasmine R. Marcelin ◽

Julie K. Silver

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Best Practices ◽

Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Online Communication ◽

Health Impact ◽

Healthcare Associated Infections ◽

Hospital Epidemiology ◽

Healthcare Associated ◽

The Impact

AbstractSocial media, prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial stewardship (ASP) each impact every area of medicine. Independently, each have power to change medicine, however, synergistically, the impact could be transformative. Given the profound clinical, financial, and public health impact of infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship combined with the incomplete uptake of best practices, multimodal strategies employing social media are critical to increase the speed and reach of research. This review discusses the strategic utilization of online communication platforms to increase the dissemination of critical publications.

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A Cross-sectional Survey Using Clinical Vignettes to Examine Overdose Risk Assessment and Willingness to Prescribe Naloxone

Journal of General Internal Medicine ◽

10.1007/s11606-018-4733-y ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 507-509 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. Deanna Wilson ◽

Justin Berk ◽

Pamela Matson ◽

Natalie Spicyn ◽

Anika Alvanzo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Clinical Vignettes

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Factors influencing compliance to the infection control precautions among nurses and physicians in Jordan: A cross-sectional study

Journal of Infection Prevention ◽

10.1177/1757177417693676 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 182-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Maysa Nofal ◽

Maha Subih ◽

Mahmoud Al-Kalaldeh

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Clinical Training ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Nurses And Physicians ◽

Knowledge And Attitude ◽

Training Programmes ◽

Healthcare Associated

Background: Adherence to infection control precautions (ICP) is important to reduce the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Aims: To determine nurses and physician’s knowledge, attitude and compliance to ICPs and factors associated with reported compliance. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of nurses and physicians recruited from three hospitals at three different healthcare sectors in Jordan. Three instruments were used to assess knowledge, attitudes and compliance to ICPs. Findings: A total of 211 professionals completed the survey: 155 nurses and 56 physicians. Both groups had low knowledge scores for ICP but a high positive attitude. Although both groups had high reported compliance scores, nurses scores were higher ( P = 0.04). Participants from the private hospital had higher knowledge and compliance scores. Length of experience, knowledge and attitude were significant predictors of reported compliance to ICPs. Discussion: Despite poor knowledge, Jordanian healthcare professionals reported high scores for positive attitudes and compliance with IPCs. Clinical training programmes are required to enhance knowledge and understanding of IPCs.

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