Emergency Medical Services Providers’ Experiences and Attitudes Toward Infection Prevention and Control Measures in Saudi Arabia: a Qualitative Study

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anas A. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
And Control

Abstract Objectives: This study explores the experiences and practices of emergency medical services (EMS) providers, as well as the motivations that underpin perceptions toward standard infection prevention and control (IPC). The current literature suggests that EMS providers have a low compliance level with preventive measures, with misperceptions about risks and self-justification of personal skills reported. Methods: The study used qualitative methods and conducted 2 distinct focus group discussions and 20 in-depth interviews with both prehospital and inter-facility EMS providers. Data were thematically analyzed using the Framework approach. Results: The participants considered respiratory infections the most significant nosocomial risks. Lack of full disclosure of medical history to EMS providers was considered a significant threat. Beliefs about low effectiveness and harmful effects of the influenza vaccine, as well as low perceptions of influenza risks, were common. While apparent misperceptions contributed largely to the inappropriate use of preventive measures, the reliance on intuition and individual experiences was attributed to the inaccessibility of appropriate guidelines, and lack of formal IPC training programs. Conclusions: There is need to address EMS doubts and fears, improve IPC practices and awareness by institutionalizing IPC training programs, and ensure the design and accessibility of simplified and well-tailored IPC guidelines for EMS providers.

Hand hygiene and stopping the spread of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Ann-Marie Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Improve Compliance ◽  
And Control

Health professionals' lack of compliance with hand hygiene is a problem in both hospitals and emergency medical services. The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, is spreading around the world and practitioners must play their part to contain the outbreak. Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and stop the spread of COVID-19. A range of products (including alcohol-based handrub and personal and respiratory protective equipment), procedures and strategies can improve compliance with hand hygiene in emergency medical services. Incorporating hand-hygiene strategies into policy can help providers to improve compliance. Effectiveness of infection prevention and control measures should be assessed by audit. All health professionals should contribute to improving infection prevention and control, including in the prehospital environment and during transfer between settings.

scholarly journals Physiotherapists’ knowledge and the implementation of COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Wesam Saleh A. Al Attar ◽  
Mohamed A. Husain
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Western Pacific Region ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapists are required to recognize their role in managing patients with Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19), and to adopt preventive measures to limit transmission of the disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the perception, knowledge, and application of the preventive measures taken by physiotherapists in managing issues with confirmed or suspected patients suffering from COVID-19. METHODS: A self-administered survey comprising 15 questions was divided into four sections related to precautions when interacting with patients with COVID-19: (1) knowledge of the physiotherapy role, (2) knowledge of preventive measures to limit transmission of the virus, (3) practicing these measures, and (4) managing patients with COVID-19. RESULTS: A total of 456 physiotherapists from 139 countries participated in the study. Most physiotherapists were knowledgeable regarding their role in the management of COVID-19 patients (M = 94.3%; SD = 15.4) and the management of potential COVID-19 patients (M = 84.5%; SD = 20.1). The rating of knowledge and practices of preventive measures to limit transmission of COVID-19 were lower (M = 74.3%; SD = 25.7, and M = 62.5%; SD = 31.3, respectively). Participants from the European region (M = 83; SD = 15.8) had a higher score than participants from the Asia Western Pacific region (M = 78; SD = 18.49; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Physiotherapists are highly knowledgeable about their role in managing COVID-19 patients. Most of them are adopting preventive measures to limit the transmission of the disease. Yet, physiotherapists are required to enroll in medical education, training and infection control workshops and courses to remain updated with the recent advances in such fields.

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

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.

scholarly journals Developing a theory-based behavior change intervention to improve the prescription of surgical prophylaxis in an Egyptian University Hospital.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Leena Lohiniva ◽  
Iman Heweidy ◽  
Samiha Abdu ◽  
Abouelata Omar ◽  
Caroline Ackley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Theoretical Domains Framework ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Surgical Prophylaxis ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly pervasive due to multiple, complex prescribing and consuming behaviours. Accordingly, behaviour change is an important component of response to AMR. Little is known about the best approaches to change antibiotic use practices and behaviours. This project aims to develop a context-specific behaviour change strategy focusing on promoting appropriate prescription practices following the World Health Organization recommendations for surgical prophylaxis in an orthopaedic surgery unit in Egypt.Methods: The project included a formative qualitative research study was based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore the determinants for inappropriate prescription of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis at an orthopaedic unit. The intervention was developed to following the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) in a knowledge co-production workshop with infection prevention and control experts that ensured that the theory based intervention was a culturally acceptable, practical and implementable intervention. Results: The prescription of surgical prophylaxis was influenced by five TDF domains including, knowledge, belief in consequences (mistrust towards infection prevention and control measures), environmental factors (lack of prescription guidelines) , professional role and reinforcement (a lack of appropriate follow up actions influenced prescription of surgical prophylaxis). The appropriate set of behaviour change functions of BCW and related activities to improve the current practices included education, enablement, persuasion, environmental restructuring and restriction. Conclusions The study showed that a theory based and context specific intervention can be created by using the TDF and BCW together with knowledge-co creation to improve the prescription of surgical prophylaxis in and Egyptian orthopaedic unit. The intervention need to piloted and scaled up.

AMR: effective infection prevention and control measures

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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