Infection prevention and control measures in audiology practice within public healthcare facilities in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

The response to the challenges arising during the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the rapid implementation of innovative technological solutions which have been built on established knowledge and resources. This has been reflected in infection, prevention and control practices (IPC) to minimise the transmission of the disease. In this article, we review ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) as such a technology. We illustrate the way it has traditionally been used in airborne and surface disinfection strategies, and how it has, more recently, been adapted. UVGI has been widely used as an environmental IPC measure against tuberculosis in South Africa, though challenges have been experienced in the implementation of the technology in public healthcare facilities. This has resulted in the development of a knowledge and infrastructure base. We posit that, given the established UVGI resources in South Africa, the technology may be a viable environmental IPC solution for the COVID-19 period and beyond.

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Improving knowledge, attitudes and practice to prevent COVID-19 transmission in healthcare workers and the public in Thailand

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10768-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rapeephan R. Maude ◽

Monnaphat Jongdeepaisal ◽

Sumawadee Skuntaniyom ◽

Thanomvong Muntajit ◽

Stuart D. Blacksell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Public ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Control Measures ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

The Public ◽

Educational Videos ◽

Prevention And Control Measures ◽

And Control

Abstract Background Key infection prevention and control measures to limit transmission of COVID-19 include social distancing, hand hygiene, use of facemasks and personal protective equipment. However, these have limited or no impact if not applied correctly through lack of knowledge, inappropriate attitude or incorrect practice. In order to maximise the impact of infection prevention and control measures on COVID-19 spread, we undertook a study to assess and improve knowledge, attitudes and practice among 119 healthcare workers and 100 general public in Thailand. The study setting was two inpatient hospitals providing COVID-19 testing and treatment. Detailed information on knowledge, attitudes and practice among the general public and healthcare workers regarding COVID-19 transmission and its prevention were obtained from a combination of questionnaires and observations. Results Knowledge of the main transmission routes, commonest symptoms and recommended prevention methods was mostly very high (> 80%) in both groups. There was lower awareness of aerosols, food and drink and pets as sources of transmission; of the correct duration for handwashing; recommended distance for social/physical distancing; and about recommended types of face coverings. Information sources most used and most trusted were the workplace, work colleagues, health workers and television. The results were used to produce a set of targeted educational videos which addressed many of these gaps with subsequent improvements on retesting in a number of areas. This included improvements in handwashing practice with an increase in the number of areas correctly washed in 65.5% of the public, and 57.9% of healthcare workers. The videos were then further optimized with feedback from participants followed by another round of retesting. Conclusions Detailed information on gaps in knowledge, attitudes and practice among the general public and healthcare workers regarding COVID-19 transmission and its prevention were obtained from a combination of questionnaires and observations. This was used to produce targeted educational videos which addressed these gaps with subsequent improvements on retesting. The resulting videos were then disseminated as a resource to aid in efforts to fight COVID-19 in Thailand and worldwide.

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Keeping the wolf at bay: Infection prevention and control measures for inpatient psychiatric facilities in the time of COVID-19

General Hospital Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.07.004 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 ◽

pp. 51-53 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Brian Barnett ◽

Frank Esper ◽

Charles B. Foster

Keyword(s):

Prevention And Control ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Control Measures ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Prevention And Control Measures ◽

And Control ◽

Psychiatric Facilities

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AMR: effective infection prevention and control measures

Practice Nursing ◽

10.12968/pnur.2019.30.8.390 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (8) ◽

pp. 390-395

Author(s):

Naomi Fleming

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Control Measures ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Practice Nurses ◽

Prevention And Control Measures ◽

Spread Of Infection ◽

And Control

Antimicrobial resistance is on the rise. As more infections are becoming resistant to antibiotic treatment, it would benefit practice nurses to be aware of the effective measures they can use to prevent the spread of infection, explains Naomi Fleming When micro-organisms are exposed to an antimicrobial, more susceptible organisms succumb, leaving behind those resistant to the antimicrobial. They can then pass on resistance to their offspring. The use and misuse of antimicrobials has increased the number and types of resistant organisms. As a result, standard treatments become ineffective and infections persist and may spread. Infection prevention and control (IPC) is key to reducing demand for antimicrobial use and reducing the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance. Poor IPC can increase the spread of drug-resistant infections. Interventions such as effective hand hygiene and vaccination have significant potential to limit opportunities for drug-resistant strains to emerge. Effective leadership is vital and nurses are central to promoting IPC, leading on IPC compliance and ensuring uptake of vaccination in primary care.

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