scholarly journals Preparing for future waves and pandemics: a global hospital survey on infection control measures and infection rates in COVID-19

Author(s):  
Simon Matoori ◽  
Daniel R. Kuritzkes ◽  
Yonggeng Goh ◽  
Swee Tian Quek ◽  
Liang Wang ◽  
...  

AbstractA survey of hospitals on three continents was performed to assess their infection control preparedness and measures, and their infection rate in hospital health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. All surveyed hospitals used similar PPE but differences in preparedness, PPE shortages, and infection rates were reported.

Author(s):  
Meltem Karabay ◽  
Gulsum Kaya ◽  
Taner Hafizoglu ◽  
Oguz Karabay

Abstract Background In terms of pediatric healthcare-associated infections (HAI), neonatal intensive care units (NICU) constitute the greatest risk. Contacting a health care personnel, either directly or indirectly, elevates NICU occurrence rate and risks other infants in the same unit. In this study, it is aimed to retrospectively analyze the effect of the training along with camera monitoring and feedback (CMAF) to control the infection following a small outbreak. Methods ESBL producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was detected on three infants in May 2014 at the isolation room of Sakarya University Hospital NICU. Precautions were taken to prevent further spread of the infection. The infected infants were isolated and the decolonization process was initiated. For this aspect, health care workers (HCWs) in NICU were trained for infection control measures. An infection control committee has monitored the HCWs. Before monitoring, an approval was obtained from the hospital management and HCWs were informed about the CMAF, who were then periodically updated. On a weekly basis, NICU workers were provided with the feedbacks. Epidemic period and post-epidemic control period (June–July–August 2014) were evaluated and p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) density was 9.59% before the onset of the CMAF, whereas it was detected as 2.24% during the CMAF period (p < 0.05). Following the precautions, HAI and HAI density rates have reduced to 76.6% and 74.85%, respectively. Moreover, hand hygiene compliance of health care workers was found 49.0% before the outbreak, whereas this rate has elevated to 62.7% after CMAF. Conclusions Healthcare workers should be monitored in order to increase their compliance for infection control measures. Here, we emphasized that that CMAF of health workers may contribute reducing the HAI rate in the NICU.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (14) ◽  
pp. 2116-2127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena J. Chapman ◽  
Bienvenido A. Veras-Estévez ◽  
Jamie L. Pomeranz ◽  
Eddy N. Pérez-Then ◽  
Belkys Marcelino ◽  
...  

Due to their occupational exposure in health care settings, health care workers (HCW) have increased risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. They face challenges to remain up-to-date with evidence-based clinical practices and translate educational information into actions in infection control practices. Our purpose was to examine this “knowledge−action” gap about how HCWs understand their occupational M. tuberculosis risk and use recommended infection control measures in clinical practices in the Dominican Republic (DR). We conducted 10 focus groups with 40 physicians and nurses at two tertiary-level DR institutions. Using grounded theory methods, we developed a theoretical model to describe the decision-making process related to adherence to M. tuberculosis infection control measures in clinical practice. Findings highlight intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influenced the observed knowledge−action gap related to M. tuberculosis infection control practices in two DR health institutions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 519-525
Author(s):  
Ana Cláudia Vasconcellos Azeredo ◽  
Sizuane Rieger Holler ◽  
Ellis Gabriela Correa de Almeida ◽  
Otávio Augusto Gonçalves Dias Cionek ◽  
Marcelle Martinez Loureiro ◽  
...  

Background: Most studies that have evaluated the impact of infection-control measures (ICM) reported a decrease in latent tuberculosis (TB) and not in TB. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of ICM on TB incidence among Health Care Workers (HCW’s). Methods: We conducted a retrospective record review study in a general, tertiary care, university-affiliated hospital. All TB case reports among HCWs in the hospital from 2005 to 2018 were reviewed. The TB incidence was measured before and after 2012 to evaluate the impact of ICM implemented. Findings: In total, there were 53 TB cases. The number of TB cases before and after the implementation of ICM was 42 (incidence: 100.0 cases/100,000 HCWs/year) and 11 (incidence: 26.2 cases/100,000 HCWs/year), respectively ( p < .0001). Conclusions/Application to Practice: TB incidence among HCWs reduced significantly after the implementation of ICM. The establishment of ICM, such as written TB infection control plan, monitoring, screening, training, and education, can reduce TB incidence.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fawzia Butt ◽  
Hinal Thakkar ◽  
Jeremiah Munguti ◽  
Evelyne Waigayu

Author(s):  
Michelle C. Engelbrecht ◽  
Gladys Kigozi ◽  
Andre P. Janse van Rensburg ◽  
Dingie H.C.J Van Rensburg

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) prevention, including infection control, is a key element in the strategy to end the global TB epidemic. While effective infection control requires all health system components to function well, this is an area that has not received sufficient attention inSouth Africa despite the availability of policy and guidelines.Aim: To describe the state of implementation of TB infection control measures in a high-burden metro in South Africa.Setting: The research was undertaken in a high TB- and HIV-burdened metropolitan area of South Africa. More specifically, the study sites were primary health care facilities (PHC), thatamong other services also diagnosed TB.Methods: A cross-sectional survey, focusing on the World Health Organization levels of infection control, which included structured interviews with nurses providing TB diagnosis and treatment services as well as observations, at all 41 PHC facilities in a high TB-burdened and HIV-burdened metro of South Africa.Results: Tuberculosis infection control was poorly implemented, with few facilities scoring 80% and above on compliance with infection control measures. Facility controls: 26 facilities (63.4%) had an infection control committee and 12 (29.3%) had a written infection control plan. Administrative controls: 26 facilities (63.4%) reported separating coughing and noncoughing patients, while observations revealed that only 11 facilities (26.8%) had separate waiting areas for (presumptive) TB patients. Environmental controls: most facilities used open windows for ventilation (n = 30; 73.2%); however, on the day of the visit, only 12 facilities (30.3%) had open windows in consulting rooms. Personal protective equipment: 9 facilities (22%) did not have any disposable respirators in stock and only 9 respondents (22%) had undergone fit testing. The most frequently reported barrier to implementing good TBinfection control practices was lack of equipment (n = 22; 40%) such as masks and disposable respirators, as well as the structure or layout of the PHC facilities. The main recommendation to improve TB infection control was education for patients and health care workers (n = 18; 33.3%).Conclusion: All levels of the health care system should be engaged to address TB prevention and infection control in PHC facilities. Improved infection control will address the nosocomial spread of TB in health facilities and keep health care workers and patients safe from infection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
pp. 465-470
Author(s):  
Juhaina Abdulraiem AL Mosharaf ◽  
Adam Abdalla Mater

Health care workers (HCW) are at increased risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) from occupational exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The objective was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for LTBI among primary HCW in Aljazeera state Sudan. We conducted an analytical study, among HCW in TB treatment center using a structured questionnaire and an evaluated for LTBI using the tuberculin skin test among 367 HCW, the LTBI prevalence was 35.7%. (64.5%), We found that the following factors associated with LTBI in HCW were in age group 30-40 years was 63% ,75.2% of the participants didn't do the skin test for TB, and the high risk among the  lab technician represented 41.2%. Our study recommended implementation of sound TB infection control measures in all health care facilities with patients suspected of having infectious.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitin Agarwal ◽  
Prateek Agarwal ◽  
Ashley Querry ◽  
Anna Mazurkiewicz ◽  
Zachary J. Tempel ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEPrevious studies have demonstrated the efficacy of infection prevention protocols in reducing infection rates. This study investigated the effects of the development and implementation of an infection prevention protocol that was augmented by increased physician awareness of spinal fusion surgical site infection (SSI) rates and resultant cost savings.METHODSA cohort clinical investigation over a 10-year period was performed at a single tertiary spine care academic institution. Preoperative infection control measures (chlorohexidine gluconate bathing, Staphylococcus aureus nasal screening and decolonization) followed by postoperative infection control measures (surgical dressing care) were implemented. After the implementation of these infection control measures, an awareness intervention was instituted in which all attending and resident neurosurgeons were informed of their individual, independently adjudicated spinal fusion surgery infection rates and rankings among their peers. During the course of these interventions, the overall infection rate was tracked as well as the rates for those neurosurgeons who complied with the preoperative and postoperative infection control measures (protocol group) and those who did not (control group).RESULTSWith the implementation of postoperative surgical dressing infection control measures and physician awareness, the postoperative spine surgery infection rate decreased by 45% from 3.8% to 2.1% (risk ratio 0.55; 95% CI 0.32–0.93; p = 0.03) for those in the protocol cohort, resulting in an estimated annual cost savings of $291,000. This reduction in infection rate was not observed for neurosurgeons in the control group, although the overall infection rate among all neurosurgeons decreased by 54% from 3.3% to 1.5% (risk ratio 0.46; 95% CI 0.28–0.73; p = 0.0013).CONCLUSIONSA novel paradigm for spine surgery infection control combined with physician awareness methods resulted in significantly decreased SSI rates and an associated cost reduction. Thus, information sharing and physician engagement as a supplement to formal infection control measures result in improvements in surgical outcomes and costs.


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