scholarly journals Infection prevention and control: Key measures in healthcare settings to reduce the spread of COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (S1) ◽  
pp. 124-134
Author(s):  
Banerjee J ◽  
Bilolikar AK ◽  
Fatima R
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Consistent Performance ◽  
And Control

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses an enormous burden on society, economic and healthcare systems worldwide. The various measures being taken to control its spread. It has no definitive treatment and vaccination till date. Therefore, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice in the healthcare facilities is the most important and essential to combat this health crisis. The increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases among healthcare professionals along with evidence of ongoing transmission in some healthcare settings suggest the gaps in the implementation of IPC practice. This need reviewing of all guidelines and their appropriate implementation. Strategic preparedness of preventive measures within health-care facilities; their proper implementation; the continuous, correct & consistent performance of IPC measures and use of tools to identify IPC gaps & to monitor progress are the key features to achieve success in reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV2 virus. Keywords: infection prevention and control (IPC); COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; pandemic, hand hygiene; cleaning and disinfection

scholarly journals Assessment of standard precaution related to infection prevention readiness of healthcare facilities in Bangladesh: Findings from a national cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Abdullah Al Jubayer Biswas ◽  
Md Zakiul Hassan ◽  
Mohammad Riashad Monjur ◽  
Md Saiful Islam ◽  
Aninda Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Standard Precautions ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Standard Precaution ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Baseline assessment of standard precaution relating to infection prevention and control (IPC) preparedness to fight health crisis within healthcare facilities at different levels and its associated factors in Bangladesh remains unknown. Methods: We analyzed the nationally representative Bangladesh health facility survey (BHFS) data conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) during July–October 2017. We used the World Health Organization (WHO) Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) manual to determine the standard precautions related to the IPC readiness index. Using a conceptual framework and multivariable linear regression, we identified the factors associated with the readiness index. Results: We analyzed data for 1,524 surveyed healthcare facilities. On average, only 44% of the standard precaution elements were available in all facilities. Essential elements, such as guidelines for standard precautions (30%), hand-washing soap (29%), and pedal bins (38%), were not readily available in all facilities. The tuberculosis service area was least prepared, with 85% of elements required for standard precaution deficient in all facilities. Significantly lower readiness indexes were observed in the rural healthcare facilities (mean difference, −13.2), healthcare facilities administered by the MoHFW (mean difference, −7.8), and private facilities (mean difference, −10.1) compared to corresponding reference categories. Conclusions: Our study revealed a severe lack of standard precaution elements in most healthcare facilities, particularly in rural health centers. These data can provide a baseline from which to measure improvement in infection prevention and control (IPC) in these facilities and to identify areas of gaps for targeted interventions to improve IPC strategies that can improve the Bangladesh health system.

scholarly journals Assessment of Infection Prevention and Control Implementation in Primary and Secondary Health Care Facilities in Rivers State

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-114
Author(s):  
A. Dan-Jumbo ◽  
C.T. Briggs-Nduye ◽  
T.C. Uzosike
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Rivers State ◽  
And Control

Background: Controlling infections in healthcare facilities is necessary for reducing infection transmission. There is limited data on the status of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programme in healthcare facilities in Rivers State. An assessment of IPC implementation in health facilities in Rivers State was therefore conducted.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, stratified sampling technique was applied to select 99 healthcare facilities. Health personnel in-charge of selected facilities were interviewed using the validated Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF) tool. It was modified to focus on four out of eight core components areas and graded using the World Health Organization IPCAF guidelines.Results: Twenty (20.2%) facilities had IPC programmes with clearly defined objectives and activity plans. A copy of the IPC guidelines was available in 56 (56.6%) facilities, however, only 13 (13.1%) monitored implementation of the guidelines. Forty (40.4%) facilities had healthcare workers that were trained based on updated IPC guidelines. Supply of personal protective equipment was adequate in 29 (29.3%) facilities and a mixed method of healthcare waste disposal was practiced in 46 (46.4%) facilities. Overall, 56 (56.6%) of the facilities had scores within the basic IPC level of practice while 43 (43.4%) had scores within the intermediate level of IPC practice.Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that IPC committees should be set up in all healthcare facilities with the obligation of updating IPC guidelines, training healthcare personnel, and implementing IPC activities in respective healthcare facilities.

scholarly journals Infection control practices and challenges in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
pp. 175717742110127
Author(s):  
Salma Abbas ◽  
Faisal Sultan
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
And Control

Background: Patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities during outbreaks hinges on a prompt infection prevention and control response. Physicians leading these programmes have encountered numerous obstacles during the pandemic. Aim/objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate infection prevention and control practices and explore the challenges in Pakistan during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and administered a survey to physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes at 18 hospitals in Pakistan. Results: All participants implemented universal masking, limited the intake of patients and designated separate triage areas, wards and intensive care units for coronavirus disease 2019 patients at their hospitals. Eleven (61%) physicians reported personal protective equipment shortages. Staff at three (17%) hospitals worked without the appropriate personal protective equipment due to limited supplies. All participants felt overworked and 17 (94%) reported stress. Physicians identified the lack of negative pressure rooms, fear and anxiety among hospital staff, rapidly evolving guidelines, personal protective equipment shortages and opposition from hospital staff regarding the choice of recommended personal protective equipment as major challenges during the pandemic. Discussion: The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes in Pakistan. It is essential to support infection prevention and control personnel and bridge the identified gaps to ensure patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities.

scholarly journals Infection Prevention and Control Policies and Staffing: A National Survey of Home Health Agencies in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s301-s301
Author(s):  
Jingjing Shang ◽  
Ashley Chastain ◽  
U. Gayani Perera ◽  
Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz ◽  
Patricia Stone
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Staff Member ◽  
Antibiotic Stewardship ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
And Control

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a national priority in all healthcare settings, and IPC staffing characteristics have been linked to patient safety outcomes. However, there is a lack of knowledge about IPC in home healthcare (HHC), the fastest growing healthcare sector. Our aim was to better understand the current state of IPC in HHC, as well as the HHC staff involved with IPC policy implementation. Methods: A national survey was conducted between October 2018 and November 2019. The participants included (1) agencies recruited from a national HHC conference and (2) a national random sample of 1,501 agencies stratified by census region, ownership status, and rural or urban location. Survey items included staff influenza vaccination policies, antibiotic stewardship, infection surveillance, and IPC staffing. Descriptive statistics were computed, and differences by ownership were calculated using 2 and Student t tests. Results: Of the 535 HHC agencies that responded to the survey (response rate, 33%), 64% were for-profit agencies. Overall, 30.8% of the agencies (17.9% for-profit, 57.6% nonprofit; P < .01) required staff influenza vaccination. Most nonprofit agencies (84.1%) and about half of the for-profit agencies (48.1%) offered free influenza vaccinations to staff (P < .01). During the past influenza season, 62.6% of agencies (81.5% nonprofit vs 51.6% for-profit; P < .01) had 75% of their employees vaccinated for influenza, and 9.3% (2% nonprofit vs 13.5% for-profit; P < .01) reported that they did not track this data. Only 17.9% of HHC agencies used antibiotic prescribing guidelines, and 33.3% reported that they reviewed cases to assess the appropriateness of antibiotic administration and/or indication. Most HHC agencies (86%) reported collecting and reviewing infection data to identify trends, which was often done quarterly or more frequently. Almost every responding agency reported that the staff member in charge of IPC had other responsibilities including administrative, education/training, or quality improvement, and 33.5% of those personnel had received no specific IPC training. Also, ~6% of agencies (12.5% of government-owned agencies) reported that they currently did not have a staff member in charge of IPC. Conclusions: This is the first national study of IPC in HHC, which can be used as a benchmark for quality improvement initiatives in the home care environment. Compared to other healthcare settings, HHC agencies have substantial challenges related to IPC. Most HHC agencies do not have a staff member exclusively dedicated to IPC, and staff training is inadequate. Furthermore, a significant number of agencies have no staff influenza vaccination or antibiotic stewardship policies in place. The situation is worse at for-profit agencies, which dominate the current US HHC industry.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Clean and Safe Healthcare Environment: Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Infection Prevention and Control among Health Workforce at North Showa Zone Oromiya Region

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Kemal Jemal ◽  
Ketema Gashaw ◽  
Tadele Kinati ◽  
Worku Bedada ◽  
Belete Getahun
Keyword(s):  
Health Workforce ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Control Practice ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
And Control ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

Background. Infection prevention and control practice (IPCP) is essential for healthcare safety and quality service delivery. The Ethiopian government has already put in place programs and initiatives for clean and safe healthcare facilities. However, in the North Showa Zone of the Oromiya Region, the infection prevention and control practice level was not well understood. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of infection prevention and control practice among the health workforce (HWF) in North Shoa healthcare facilities (NSHCFs) environment. Methods. Healthcare facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed. Structured and pretested self-administered questionnaires were distributed for 373 health workforce. Three hospitals and six health centers were randomly selected, and the study participants were selected by systematic sampling technique. Data were entered into Epi-data version 3.5.2 and then exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the associated factors with infection prevention practice, and a p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. A total of 361 (96.8%) health workforce responded to self-administered questionnaires. About 55.70% of study participants had good knowledge, 59.3% of them had a positive attitude, and 46.8% had a good infection prevention practice. Age category of 20–29(AOR = 4.08, 95%, CI = (1.97, 8.49)), female participants (AOR = 3.87, 95%, CI = (1.91, 7.86)), single participants (AOR = 3.89, 95%, CI = (1.92, 7.87)), having greater than ten years of working experience (AOR = 3.10, 95% CI = (1.19, 8.10)), positive attitude (AOR = 10.07, 95% CI = (4.82, 21.05)), and availability of water at working area (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI = (1.18, 4.35)) were significantly associated with good infection prevention practice. Conclusion. In this study, a significant number of health workers had low knowledge, negative attitudes, and poor infection prevention practices. Female participants, higher work experience, a positive attitude, and water availability in the healthcare facilities were positively associated with infection prevention and control practice. Healthcare facilities should be continued capacitating the health workforce on infection prevention and control measures and equipping health facilities with infection prevention materials.

scholarly journals Risk of COVID-19 Infection Among Medical Recorders: a Descriptive Study in Central Java Province

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-240
Author(s):  
Tiara Fani ◽  
Kriswiharsi Kun Saptorini ◽  
Retno Astuti Setijaningsih ◽  
Nimas Arum Titisari
Keyword(s):  
Medical Staff ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
And Control ◽  
Central Java Province

Covid infection risks among non-medical staff in healthcare facilities may not be as high as physicians and nurses. However, healthcare facilities should understand infection risk among non-medical staff who works during the pandemic. This study describes several factors associated with Covid-19 infection among medical recorders. A descriptive study with a cross-sectional approach observed 124 medical record officers in Central Java Province from January to June 2021. This study measured socio-demographic factors, job characteristics, infection prevention and control (IPC) efforts, and Covid-19 infection through an online questionnaire with Kobotoolbox. Data analyze performed in descriptive and bivariate analysis. Most respondents said personal protective equipment (PPE) availability was adequate and had received IPC training. Socio-demographic factors, PPE availability, IPC training, and occupation were significantly unrelated to covid 19 infections. Having infected co-workers was related to covid 19 transmissions. Covid-19 cases proportion mostly in respondents who work in type C and D hospitals, never or rarely available PPE, received IPC training, worked <7 hours/day, and medical record staff.  Healthcare facilities should pay more attention to PPE availability and other infection prevention and control for medical recorder staff. Further research should assess the contact history of workers with positive covid 19 both in or outside their workplace and their activities outside their workplace, PPE use compliance, and IPC training time.

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