scholarly journals How Standard Are Standard Precautions? Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Standard Precautions at an Academic Medical Center

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s254-s254
Author(s):  
Rebecca Faller ◽  
Priya Sampathkumar ◽  
Stacy (Tram) Ung
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Standard Precautions ◽  
Respiratory Therapists ◽  
Inpatient Settings

Background: Standard precautions are the basis of infection prevention and include a set of common-sense infection control practices that prevent transmission of diseases acquired by contact with blood, body fluids, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes. These measures include hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning and disinfecting, linen handling, waste disposal, sharps safety and respiratory etiquette. Standard precautions require that the risk for exposure be assessed and appropriate precautions taken based on risk. Observations and anecdotal evidence have led us to believe that understanding of standard precautions is lacking among healthcare personnel. Methods: A survey was conducted at a large health system to assess knowledge and practices related to specific elements of standard precautions. Results: More than 3,000 HCWs responded from inpatient settings (41%), outpatient settings (37%), and both settings (22%). Nurses comprised the majority of respondents (54%), and others included physicians (9%), respiratory therapists, as well as physical and occupational therapists. Discussion: The vast majority (96%) of respondents agreed that standard precautions were required in the care of all patients, but a significant proportion (34%) interpreted that to mean that standard precautions always involve wearing gloves, and 22.5% thought that PPE was always required for standard precautions. Hand hygiene and sharps safety were identified as the best understood elements of standard precautions. Respiratory etiquette and cleaning and disinfection were reported as the least understood elements, with PPE, waste disposal, and linen handling also being reported as inadequately understood components of standard precautions (Fig. 1). Conclusions: In an era of increasing drug resistance and fewer effective antibiotics, standard precautions are our best defense against the spread of infections in the healthcare setting. Our survey showed that there is room for improvement among healthcare workers in understanding of the elements of standard precautions. We plan to use the survey to craft a targeted education campaign to improve understanding of and adherence to standard precautions.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Real-world impact of vaccination on COVID-19 incidence in health care personnel at an academic medical center

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Waldman ◽  
Jason Y. Adams ◽  
Timothy E. Albertson ◽  
Maya M. Juárez ◽  
Sharon L Myers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Frontline Employees ◽  
Work Location ◽  
Respiratory Therapists ◽  
Academic Medical

Abstract Objective: COVID-19 vaccination effectiveness in healthcare personnel (HCP) has been established, however, questions remain about its performance in high-risk healthcare occupations and work locations. We describe the effect of a COVID-19 HCP vaccination campaign on SARS-CoV-2 infection by timing of vaccination, job type, and work location. Methods: A retrospective review of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance, incidence of post-vaccination COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality among 16,156 faculty, students, and staff at a large academic medical center was conducted. Data were collected 8 weeks prior to the start of Phase 1a vaccination of frontline employees and ended 11 weeks after campaign completion. Results: COVID-19 employee incidence rate at our institution decreased from 3.2% during the 8 weeks prior to the start of vaccinations to 0.38% by four weeks after campaign initiation. SARS-CoV-2 infection risk was reduced among individuals receiving a single vaccination (HR = 0.52 [0.40, 0.68], p<0.0001) and further reduced with 2 doses of vaccine (HR = 0.17 [0.09, 0.32], p<0.0001). By two weeks after the second dose, the observed case positivity rate was 0.04%. Among Phase 1a HCP, we observed a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among physicians and a trend toward higher risk for respiratory therapists independent of vaccination status. Rates of infection were similar in a sub-group of nurses when examined by work location. Conclusions: Our findings show the real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in HCP. Despite these encouraging results, unvaccinated HCP remain at an elevated risk of infection highlighting the need for targeted outreach to combat vaccine hesitancy.

scholarly journals 499. Infection with Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Personnel with Exposure to COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S315-S315
Author(s):  
Minji Kang ◽  
Christopher Granda ◽  
Francesca J Torriani ◽  
Randy Taplitz ◽  
Frank Myers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
The United States ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Service Worker

Abstract Background As of June 2, 2020, 67,113 cases and 321 deaths due to Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) have been reported in healthcare personnel (HCP) in the United States. Given the close contact of HCP with individuals with COVID-19, it is important to quantify the risk of acquiring COVID-19 in the healthcare setting. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of HCP exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at our academic medical center from March 15, 2020 to May 16, 2020. Exposure during the study period was defined as having contact with patients or other HCP with COVID-19 within 6 feet of distance for at least 90 seconds when HCP’s eyes, nose, or mouth were not covered. HCP with exposures were monitored for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 for 14 days from last exposure and those who developed symptoms were tested for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR. Results We identified 33 exposure events; 19 of which were patient-to-HCP exposures and 14 of which were HCP-to-HCP exposures. These 33 events resulted in 959 exposed HCP among whom 238 (25%) developed one or more symptoms of COVID-19 and required SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing. Testing was performed at 7.1 ± 5.0 (mean ± SD) days from exposure. Of the 238 HCP who were tested, 82% were female and 49% were registered nurses (Table 1). Five HCP tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR, but one was presumed to have acquired the disease from a household member with confirmed COVID-19. Among the four HCP who were infected due to occupational exposure, three were nurses while one was an environmental service worker (Table 1). Conclusion Despite exposures among HCP, the risk of acquiring symptomatic COVID-19 in the healthcare setting was low with less than 1% of HCP with occupational exposure subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19. With the definition of exposure now changed to at least 15 minutes of close contact without personal protective equipment, we anticipate fewer exposures at our healthcare facility and that much of COVID-19 transmission affecting HCP are due to community exposures. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals 68. Active Monitoring of a Healthcare Worker Cohort During the COVID-19 Epidemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S165-S165
Author(s):  
Rupak Datta ◽  
Melissa Campbell ◽  
Anne Wyllie ◽  
Arnau Casanovas-Massana ◽  
Ryan Handoko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Active Monitoring ◽  
Passive Monitoring ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Blood Specimens

Abstract Background Initial CDC recommendations for passive monitoring of COVID-19 related symptoms among staff may not be sufficient in preventing the introduction and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare settings. We therefore implemented active monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers (HCWs) at an academic medical center during the COVID-19 epidemic in northeast US. Methods We recruited a cohort of HCWs at Yale New Haven Hospital who worked in COVID-19 units and did not have COVID-19 related symptoms between March 28 and June 1, 2020. During follow-up, participants provided daily information on symptoms by responding to a web-based questionnaire, self-administered nasopharyngeal (NP) and saliva specimens every 3 days, and blood specimens every 14 days. We performed SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and an anti-spike protein IgM and IgG ELISA to identify virological and serological-confirmed infection, respectively. Results We enrolled 525 (13%) amongst 4,136 HCW of whom daily information on symptoms and NP, saliva, and blood specimens were obtained for 66% (of 13208), 42% (or 1977), 44% (of 2071) and 65% (of 1099), respectively, of the follow-up measurement points. We identified 16 (3.0% of 525) HCWs with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and an additional 12 (2.3% of 525) who were not tested by PCR or had negative PCR results but had serological evidence of infection. The overall cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 5.3% (28 of 525) amongst HCWs. Cases were not identified by hospital protocols for passive staff self-monitoring for symptoms. Amongst 16 PCR-confirmed cases, 9 (56%) of the 16 PCR-confirmed HCW had symptoms during or after the date of initial detection. We did not identify an epidemiological link between the 28 confirmed cases. Conclusion We found that a significant proportion (5.3%) of HCWs were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 epidemic. In the setting of universal PPE use, infections were possibly acquired in the community rather than stemming from patient-HCW or HCW-HCW transmission. Passive monitoring of symptoms is inadequate in preventing introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into the healthcare setting due to asymptomatic and oligosymptomatic presentations. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Sustained Improvement in Hand Hygiene Adherence: Utilizing Shared Accountability and Financial Incentives

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 1129-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Talbot ◽  
James G. Johnson ◽  
Claudette Fergus ◽  
John Henry Domenico ◽  
William Schaffner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Sustained Improvement ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
The Impact

Objective.To evaluate the impact of an institutional hand hygiene accountability program on healthcare personnel hand hygiene adherence.Design.Time-series design with correlation analysis.Setting.Tertiary care academic medical center, including outpatient clinics and procedural areas.Participants.Medical center healthcare personnel.Methods.A comprehensive hand hygiene initiative was implemented in 2 major phases starting in July 2009. Key facets of the initiative included extensive project planning, leadership buy-in and goal setting, financial incentives linked to performance, and use of a system-wide shared accountability model. Adherence was measured by designated hand hygiene observers. Adherence rates were compared between baseline and implementation phases, and monthly hand hygiene adherence rates were correlated with monthly rates of device-associated infection.Results.A total of 109,988 observations were completed during the study period, with a sustained increase in hand hygiene adherence throughout each implementation phase (P<.0001) as well as from one phase to the next (P < .0001), such that adherence greater than 85% has been achieved since January 2011. Medical center departments were able to reclaim some rebate dollars allocated through a self-insurance trust, but during the study period, departments did not achieve full reimbursement. Hand hygiene adherence rates were inversely correlated with device-associated standardized infection ratios (R2 = 0.70).Conclusions.Implementation of this multifaceted, observational hand hygiene program was associated with sustained improvement in hand hygiene adherence. The principles of this program could be applied to other medical centers pursuing improved hand hygiene adherence among healthcare personnel.

Multi-Disciplinary Skull Base Conference and its Effects on Patient Management

2021 ◽  
pp. 000348942110212
Author(s):  
Nathan Kemper ◽  
Scott B. Shapiro ◽  
Allie Mains ◽  
Noga Lipschitz ◽  
Joseph Breen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Internal Auditory Canal ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Case Review ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Lateral Skull Base

Objective: Examine the effects of a multi-disciplinary skull base conference (MDSBC) on the management of patients seen for skull base pathology in a neurotology clinic. Methods: Retrospective case review of patients who were seen in a neurotology clinic at a tertiary academic medical center for pathology of the lateral skull base and were discussed at an MDSBC between July 2019 and February 2020. Patient characteristics, nature of the skull base pathology, and pre- and post-MDSBC plan of care was categorized. Results: A total of 82 patients with pathology of the lateral skull base were discussed at a MDSBC during an 8-month study period. About 54 (65.9%) had a mass in the internal auditory canal and/or cerebellopontine angle while 28 (34.1%) had other pathology of the lateral skull base. Forty-nine (59.8%) were new patients and 33 (40.2%) were established. The management plan changed in 11 (13.4%, 7.4-22.6 95% CI) patients as a result of the skull base conference discussion. The planned management changed from some form of treatment to observation in 4 patients, and changed from observation to some form of treatment in 4 patients. For 3 patients who underwent surgery, the planned approach was altered. Conclusions: For a significant proportion of patients with pathology of the lateral skull base, the management plan changed as a result of discussion at an MDSBC. Although participants of a MDSBC would agree of its importance, it is unclear how an MDSBC affects patient outcomes.

scholarly journals 1189. Effectiveness of Multimodal Intervention Strategies to Improve Hand Hygiene Compliance at an Academic Medical Center

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S426-S427
Author(s):  
Bhagyashri D Navalkele ◽  
Myrtle Tate ◽  
Jeff Dunaway ◽  
Sheila Fletcher ◽  
Barbara Inman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Improve Hand Hygiene ◽  
Early 19Th Century ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Multimodal Intervention ◽  
Hygiene Compliance

Abstract Background Since the early 19th century, hand hygiene (HH) has been recognized as the most important factor in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAI). Still, improving HH compliance is a major hurdle for most healthcare facilities. Our study objective was to evaluate effectiveness of bundled intervention tools in increasing hand hygiene (HH) compliance. Methods The study was performed at the University of Mississippi Medical Center located in Jackson, MS. A multidisciplinary HH team was established in January 2016. Team members included infection prevention, nurse managers, physician, resident, housekeeping, process engineers, and ancillary staff. Hand hygiene compliance was determined based on room entry and exit observations. Intervention strategies were based on Joint Commission Center’s Targeted Solutions Tool (TST) to identify barriers in HH compliance, standardization of data collection, covert observer training and Just-in-time training of providers. Other strategies implemented included education and feedback, rewards and recognition, and system change measures during the 3-year study period (timeline in Table 1). Hand hygiene compliance was calculated based on number of compliance opportunities/total number of observations. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to analyze HH data. We did not assess the concomitant reduction in HAI rates as simultaneous HAI prevention strategies confounded analysis. Results Based on total 95,491 observations performed (January 2016- December 2018), there was a statistically significant improvement in HH compliance during the study period from 66.5% in 2016 to 73% in 2017 and 79.5% in 2018 (P = 0.04). Conclusion At our institution, we observed a 56% improvement in hand hygiene compliance over 36-months timeframe. Multidisciplinary team involvement and multimodal intervention strategies play crucial role in improvement and sustainment of HH compliance. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Environmental Contact and Self-contact Patterns of Healthcare Workers: Implications for Infection Prevention and Control

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. S178-S184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linh T Phan ◽  
Dayana Maita ◽  
Donna C Mortiz ◽  
Susan C Bleasdale ◽  
Rachael M Jones
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Job Roles ◽  
Respiratory Therapists ◽  
Contact Patterns ◽  
Environmental Surfaces ◽  
Viral Respiratory Infections

Abstract Background Respiratory viruses on fomites can be transferred to sites susceptible to infection via contact by hands or other fomites. Methods Care for hospitalized patients with viral respiratory infections was observed in the patient room for 3-hour periods at an acute care academic medical center for over a 2 year period. One trained observer recorded the healthcare activities performed, contacts with fomites, and self-contacts made by healthcare workers (HCWs), while another observer recorded fomite contacts of patients during the encounter using predefined checklists. Results The surface contacted by HCWs during the majority of visits was the patient (90%). Environmental surfaces contacted by HCWs frequently during healthcare activities included the tray table (48%), bed surface (41%), bed rail (41%), computer station (37%), and intravenous pole (32%). HCWs touched their own torso and mask in 32% and 29% of the visits, respectively. HCWs’ self-contacts differed significantly among HCW job roles, with providers and respiratory therapists contacting themselves significantly more times than nurses and nurse technicians (P < .05). When HCWs performed only 1 care activity, there were significant differences in the number of patient contacts and self-contacts that HCWs made during performance of multiple care activities (P < .05). Conclusions HCWs regularly contact environmental surfaces, patients, and themselves while providing care to patients with infectious diseases, varying among care activities and HCW job roles. These contacts may facilitate the transmission of infection to HCWs and susceptible patients.

scholarly journals Healthcare personnel absenteeism, presenteeism, and staffing challenges during epidemics

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Douglas W. Challener ◽  
Laura E. Breeher ◽  
JoEllen Frain ◽  
Melanie D. Swift ◽  
Pritish K. Tosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
The United States ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Influenza Like Illness ◽  
Healthcare Workforce ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Hourly Employees

Abstract: Objective: Presenteeism is an expensive and challenging problem in the healthcare industry. In anticipation of the staffing challenges expected with the COVID-19 pandemic, we examined a decade of payroll data for a healthcare workforce. We aimed to determine the effect of seasonal influenza-like illness (ILI) on absences to support COVID-19 staffing plans. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Large academic medical center in the United States. Participants: Employees of the academic medical center who were on payroll between the years of 2009 and 2019. Methods: Biweekly institutional payroll data was evaluated for unscheduled absences as a marker for acute illness-related work absences. Linear regression models, stratified by payroll status (salaried vs hourly employees) were developed for unscheduled absences as a function of local ILI. Results: Both hours worked and unscheduled absences were significantly related to the community prevalence of influenza-like illness in our cohort. These effects were stronger in hourly employees. Conclusions: Organizations should target their messaging at encouraging salaried staff to stay home when ill.

scholarly journals 807. A Risk-Stratified Approach to Healthcare-Associated Tuberculosis Exposures Following the “Stone in the Pond” Principle

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S289-S289
Author(s):  
Dana E Pepe ◽  
Michael Aniskiewicz ◽  
George Paci ◽  
Linda Sullivan ◽  
Louise-Marie Dembry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoring System ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Abstract Background Large-scale tuberculosis (TB) exposure investigations cause anxiety to healthcare personnel (HCP) and patients, in addition to being resource and time intensive. TB contact tracing in England and Singapore follow the “stone in the pond” principle. We propose a similar risk-stratified approach to TB exposure investigations in an area of low incidence. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at a 1,541 bed academic medical center in New Haven, CT between January 14 and 11, 2017. Microbiology records, patient charts, and infection prevention databases were reviewed to find TB exposures. A scoring system adapted from CDC’s “Guidelines for the Investigation of Contacts of Persons with Infectious Tuberculosis” was developed to predict infectivity (two points for laryngeal TB, one point each for: cavitary TB, ≥1 positive respiratory acid fast bacilli smear or Xpert MTB/RIF, multi-drug-resistant (MDR) TB, foreign-born status, immunocompromised status, cough/hemoptysis, or procedure associated with positive TB culture). Using the “stone in the pond” principle, contacts were graded based on the type of exposure (Figure 1). Based on high, medium, and low risk, our new risk-stratified approach was applied to contact tracing. Results During the study period, 17 of 29 patients with pulmonary TB led to exposures. A subset of seven TB patients with complete exposure data was selected for further analysis. The original exposure investigations led to contact tracing of 586 HCP and 72 patients. No active or latent TB cases were identified among these exposed contacts. Using our scoring system, these seven patients were categorized into three high, two medium, and two low infectivity risk groups. On applying our new risk-stratified approach, contact tracing could be reduced by 42% and 84% for medium and low-risk exposures, respectively, by excluding these HCP groups from investigation (Figure 2). Conclusion We recommend a risk-stratified approach to healthcare-associated TB exposure investigations similar to the “stone in the pond” principle, based on index patient’s infectivity risk and type of exposure. This has potential to optimize resources and possibly reduce anxiety in medium and low-risk TB exposures in an area of low TB incidence. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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