Nursing students’ perception of infection control and prevention nurses’ work – results of a survey study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Jaślan ◽  
Anna Różańska ◽  
Marta Wałaszek ◽  
Anna Szczypta ◽  
Agnieszka Gniadek ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The results of several studies in the area of infection control in Poland are disturbing. The situation may be shaped by many factors. But the key factor is the infection teams and especially infection control and prevention nurses (ICPNS) ability of influencing positive medical personnel attitudes and behavior in this area. Aim of the study The article presents the results of the study on nursing students’ perception of ICPNs work. Material and method The study was conducted using the author's anonymous questionnaire conducted among nursing students of three Polish universities. Results The results proved to be peculiar. About 80% respondents confirmed the ICPNs key role in ensuring patient and personnel safety, while only 31.6% declared its great authority among the hospital staff. Conclusions Obtained results indicate the necessity of thorough studies on the organization and structure of infection control in Polish hospitals, with particular emphasis of building its’ positive perception by wards staff as well as implementing education campaign on infection control in hospital environment.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 6-23
Author(s):  
A.G. Salmanov

The Ukrainian Strategy and Action Plan for the Prevention of Healthcare Association Infections (HAIs) and An- timicrobial Resistance defines the purpose, principles and main directions of the improvement of the National system for control and prevention of HAI and AMR pathogens of these infections, mechanisms of its functioning, as well as expected socio-economic impact. Action plan underscores the need for an effective «One Health» approach involving coordination among numer- ous international sectors and actors, including human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, environment, and well-informed consumers. The Action Plan recognizes and addresses both the variable resources nations have to combat antimicrobial resistance. The main objectives of the Ukrainian Action Plan is to improve the regulatory, legal and methodological support system of prevention of Healthcare-associated Infections (HAI), laboratory diagnosis and monitoring of AMR pathogens infections, training system for medical personnel in these fields. We are talking about the introduction of modern approaches and optimization of controls and prevention of HAI, preventing of transmission of multi re- sistance pathogens in healthcare institutions, improving the effectiveness of disinfection and sterilization measures. It is planned to create a unified system of laws and regulations that will ensure effective control and prevention of HAI and AMR, and investigation of outbreaks when they occur and ensuring of adequate compensation to victims; to prepare a standard on infection control with the compliance of mandatory requirements aimed at preventing HAI and AMR in healthcare institutions based on their profile; to create in healthcare institutions the methods of epidemiological diagnostic, based on standard criteria for determining of nosocomial infection cases by anatomic localization of infection. In addition, it is necessary to optimize the list of indications for microbiological and clinical research material and objects of hospital environment, rules of sampling and shipping of samples of biological material in the laboratory. And to develop target prevention programs for HAI and AMR at the national (country), regional and municipal levels. To implement modern technologies on infection control and monitoring of AMR in health care institutions. As a result of the Ukrainian Action Plan is expected to reduce the number of infections caused by resistant strains of microorganism’s mortality, disability and complications from infections associated with medical care, increase the employment potential of the nation by reducing temporary and permanent loss of working ability as a result of population diseases. Also, it is necessary to increase safety of patients and staff while providing medical care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 574-580
Author(s):  
Ui Yoon Choi ◽  
Young Mi Kwon ◽  
Jung Hyun Choi ◽  
Jehoon Lee

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is unlikely to end soon, and hospitals face a high risk of exposure to COVID-19 and nosocomial infections. Therefore, strengthened infection control and prevention (ICP) strategies are crucial. Here, we share our experience of activities implemented by an infection control surveillance-working group (ICS-WG) and the introduction of a hospital emergency code for patients requiring screening for COVID-19, which were established at a university-affiliated hospital. This hospital applies multi-step processes to identify patients who must visit the outdoor screening clinic for COVID-19 testing, instead of entering the hospital building. However, some of these patients inevitably end up inside the hospital building. To solve this issue, we implemented a process to announce the emergency code (“code apple”) and have the medical personnel escort such patients to the outdoor screening clinic. This process was useful in protecting the hospital from unnecessary exposure to COVID-19. The ICS-WG was assigned to conduct the surveillance of ICP practices, patrol the hospital, and recommend improvements for any practices that did not adhere to the guidelines. The ICS-WG also developed a checklist as a monitoring tool for ICP practices. The checklists were distributed to the infection control coordinators who were assigned to monitor their team’s ICP practices and report to the ICS-WG. Overall, we believe that code apple and the ICS-WG are effective strategies in improving ICP practices of COVID-19 at hospitals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S313-S314
Author(s):  
Marilou Corpuz ◽  
Ruchika Jain ◽  
Gregory Weston ◽  
Priya Nori ◽  
Priya Nori ◽  
...  

Abstract Background COVID infections in inpatient psychiatry units present unique challenges during the pandemic, including behavioral characteristics of the patients, structural aspect of the unit, type of therapy for the patients. We present COVID outbreaks in psychiatry units in two hospitals in our medical center in Bronx, NY, and describe our mitigation strategies. Methods Hosp A: In the early period of the pandemic in NY, 2 patients in the inpatient psychiatry unit tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 PCR. The unit was temporarily closed to new admissions. Hosp B: On 4/1, one of the patients in a 22 bed Psych unit, admitted since 3/10/20, developed fever, cough and tested positive for COVID-19 PCR. Two of her close contacts tested positive for SARS-COV-2 PCR. Results Hospital A: In total, 5 of the 29 patients (17.2%) in the unit were SARS-CoV-2 positive, all of whom were asymptomatic. Hospital B: Testing of the remaining patients showed positive PCR in 10/14. PCR tests of healthcare workers (HCW) were positive in 13/46. Except for the index patient, all the patients were asymptomatic but 32/46 HCW reported symptoms. One negative patient subsequently turned positive. Infection control and prevention strategies instituted in both hospitals were the same with subtle differences due to dissimilar burden of infection and structure of the units. Table 1 shows the timing of the outbreak and the rapid institution of preventive measures in each of the hospitals. There was still difficulty with patients regarding adherence. Some of the patients refused to stay in isolation and would roam. Compliance with masking and hand hygiene was problematic. Communication was of paramount importance. Multiple meetings were held between the Psychiatry staff, Infection Control and Prevention team, executive leadership of the hospital. Environmental Services and Engineering were also involved. Communications with the NY State Department of Health occurred frequently. Conclusion Strategies for management of COVID-19 patients in inpatient psychiatric units depends on the density of infected patients in the hospital and in the community. The implementation of practice change may need to be rapidly adjusted depending on the situation and available resources. Contingency plans should be formulated early on. Disclosures Gregory Weston, MD MSCR, Allergan (Grant/Research Support)


Author(s):  
Eliza Lai-Yi Wong ◽  
Kin-Fai Ho ◽  
Dong Dong ◽  
Annie Wai-Ling Cheung ◽  
Peter Sen-Yung Yau ◽  
...  

Background: Standard precautions prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings. Incompliance with infection control guidelines of healthcare workers (HCWs) may increase their risk of exposure to infectious disease, especially under pandemics. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of compliance with the infection prevention and control practices among HCWs in different healthcare settings and its relationship with their views on workplace infection control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Nurses in Hong Kong were invited to respond to a cross-sectional online survey, in which their views on workplace infection and prevention policy, compliance with standard precautions and self-reported health during pandemics were collected. Results: The respondents were dissatisfied with workplace infection and prevention policy in terms of comprehensiveness (62%), clarity (64%), timeliness (63%), and transparency (60%). For the protective behavior, the respondents did not fully comply with the standard precautions when they were involved in medical care. Their compliance was relatively low when having proper patient handling (54%) and performing invasive procedures (46%). A multivariate analysis model proved that the level of compliance of the standard precautions was positively associated with the satisfaction on infection control and prevention policy among high risk group (0.020; 95% CI: 0.005–0.036), while older respondents had higher level of compliance among the inpatient and outpatient groups (coefficient range: 0.065–0.076). The higher level of compliance was also significantly associated with working in designated team and having chronic condition of the respondents among high-risk and inpatient groups. Conclusions: Standard precautions are the most important elements to reduce cross-transmission among HCWs and patients while the satisfaction on infection control and prevention policy would increase the compliance among the high-risk group. An overall suboptimal compliance and poor views on the infection prevention and control guidelines is a warning signal to healthcare system especially during pandemics.


Author(s):  
Silvia Di Meo ◽  
Enrico Bentivegna

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic represents an important risk factor for migrants’ health. Paul Farmer highlighted the risk of global health response in emergency conditions exacerbating global and social inequalities. We argue that this is the case for quarantine ships and migrants’ management during the pandemic. Every aspect of infection-control and prevention measures acquires detention characteristics in these situations. With emphasis to the evolution of the doctor-patient relationship and to the anthropological and cultural aspects that were established during the pandemic, this article aims to provide an integrated view where physicians and anthropologists collaborate to deepen the understanding of the topic.


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