Risk of Exposure to Bloodborne Infection for Italian Healthcare Workers, by Job Category and Work Area

2001 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 206-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Puro ◽  
Gabriella De Carli ◽  
Nicola Petrosillo ◽  
Giuseppe Ippolito ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Exposure Risk ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Work Area ◽  
Hiv Exposure ◽  
Job Category

AbstractObjective:To analyze the rate of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids from all sources and specifically from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected sources among hospital workers, by job category and work area.Design:Multicenter prospective study. Occupational exposure data (numerator) and full-time equivalents ([FTEs] denominator) were collected over a 5-year period (1994-1998) and analyzed.Setting:18 Italian urban acute-care hospitals with infectious disease units.Results:A total of 10,988 percutaneous and 3,361 mucocutaneous exposures were reported. The highest rate of percutaneous exposure per 100 FTEs was observed among general surgery (11%) and general medicine (10.6%) nurses, the lowest among infectious diseases (1.1%) and laboratory (1%) physicians. The highest rates of mucocutaneous exposure were observed among midwives (5.3%) and dialysis nurses (4.7%), the lowest among pathologists (0%). Inadequate sharps disposal and the prevalence of sharps in the working unit influence the risk to housekeepers. The highest combined HIV exposure rates were observed among nurses (7.8%) and physicians (1.9%) working in infectious disease units. The highest rates of high-risk percutaneous exposures per 100 FTE were again observed in nurses regardless of work area, but this risk was higher in medical areas than in surgery (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-2.5; P<.0001).Conclusion:Exposure risk is related to job tasks, as well as to the type and complexity of care provided in different areas, whereas HIV exposure risk mainly relates to the prevalence of HIV-infected patients in a specific area. The number of accident-prone procedures, especially those involving the use of hollow-bore needles, performed by job category influence the rate of exposure with high risk of infection. Job- and area-specific exposure rates permit monitoring of the effectiveness of targeted interventions and control measures over time.

Pooling Raw Shell Eggs: Salmonella Contamination and High Risk Practices in the United Kingdom Food Service Sector

2010 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 574-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. GORMLEY ◽  
C. L. LITTLE ◽  
N. MURPHY ◽  
E. de PINNA ◽  
J. MCLAUCHLIN
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Food Service ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Risk Practices ◽  
Handling Practices

Salmonella contamination of pooled raw shelled egg mix (RSEM) used as an ingredient in lightly cooked or uncooked foods and high-risk kitchen hygiene practices in United Kingdom food service establishments using RSEM were investigated. Samples were collected from 934 premises. Salmonella was found in 1 (0.13%) of 764 RSEM samples, 2 (0.3%) of 726 samples from surfaces where ready-to-eat foods were prepared, and 7 (1.3%) of 550 cleaning cloths. Poor RSEM storage and handling practices were highlighted. Workers in 40% of the premises sampled failed to use designated utensils when RSEM was added to other ingredients, workers in 17% of the premises did not clean surfaces and utensils thoroughly after use with RSEM and before preparing other foods, only 42% of workers washed and dried their hands after handling eggs or RSEM, workers in 41% of the premises did not store RSEM at refrigeration temperature before use, and workers in 8% of the premises added RSEM to cooked rice at the end of cooking when preparing egg fried rice. Take-away premises, especially those serving Chinese cuisine, were least likely to have a documented food safety management system and awareness of the key food safety points concerning the use of RSEM compared with other food service premises (P &lt; 0.0001). Food service businesses using RSEM must be aware of the continuing hazard from Salmonella, must adopt appropriate control measures, and must follow advice provided by national food agencies to reduce the risk of Salmonella infection.

Health risk assessment of occupational exposure to heavy metals in a steel casting unit of a steelmaking plant using Monte–Carlo simulation technique

2021 ◽  
pp. 074823372110195
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Dehghani ◽  
Fariborz Omidi ◽  
Reza Ali Fallahzadeh ◽  
Bahman Pourhassan
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Steel Casting ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Monte Carlo Simulation Technique ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Casting Unit

The present work aimed to evaluate the health risks of occupational exposure to heavy metals in a steel casting unit of a steel plant. To determine occupational exposure to heavy metals, personal air samples were taken from the workers’ breathing zones using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health method. Noncancer and cancer risks due to the measured metals were calculated according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency procedures. The results indicated that the noncancer risks owing to occupational exposure to lead (Pb) and manganese were higher than the recommended value in most of the workstations. The estimated cancer risk of Pb was also higher than the allowable value. Moreover, the results of sensitivity analysis indicated that the concentration, inhalation rate, and exposure duration were the most influencing variables contributing to the calculated risks. It was thus concluded that the present control measures were not adequate and further improvements were required for reducing the exposure levels.

scholarly journals Effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on antimicrobial prevalence and prescribing in a tertiary hospital in Singapore

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tat Ming Ng ◽  
Sock Hoon Tan ◽  
Shi Thong Heng ◽  
Hui Lin Tay ◽  
Min Yi Yap ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Full Time Equivalent ◽  
Prevalence Survey ◽  
Antimicrobial Prescribing ◽  
Point Prevalence Survey ◽  
Prescribing Quality

Abstract Background The deployment of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) teams to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to a loss of developed frameworks, best practices and leadership resulting in adverse impact on antimicrobial prescribing and resistance. We aim to investigate effects of reduction in AMS resources during the COVID-19 pandemic on antimicrobial prescribing. Methods One of 5 full-time equivalent AMS pharmacists was deployed to support pandemic work and AMS rounds with infectious disease physicians were reduced from 5 to 2 times a week. A survey in acute inpatients was conducted using the Global Point Prevalence Survey methodology in July 2020 and compared with those in 2015 and 2017–2019. Results The prevalence of antimicrobial prescribing (55% in 2015 to 49% in 2019 and 47% in 2020, p = 0.02) and antibacterials (54% in 2015 to 45% in 2019 and 42% in 2020, p < 0.01) have been reducing despite the pandemic. Antimicrobial prescribing in infectious disease wards with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases was 29% in 2020. Overall, antimicrobial prescribing quality indicators continued to improve (e.g. reasons in notes, 91% in 2015 to 94% in 2019 and 97% in 2020, p < 0.01) or remained stable (compliance to guideline, 71% in 2015 to 62% in 2019 and 73% in 2020, p = 0.08). Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no increase in antimicrobial prescribing and no significant differences in antimicrobial prescribing quality indicators.

scholarly journals Estimating Economic Losses Caused by COVID-19 under Multiple Control Measure Scenarios with a Coupled Infectious Disease—Economic Model: A Case Study in Wuhan, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 11753
Author(s):  
Xingtian Chen ◽  
Wei Gong ◽  
Xiaoxu Wu ◽  
Wenwu Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Economic Model ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Central Valley ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Multiple Control ◽  
Health Crisis

Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic has caused an unprecedented public health crisis and drastically impacted the economy. The relationship between different control measures and economic losses becomes a research hotspot. Methods: In this study, the SEIR infectious disease model was revised and coupled with an economic model to quantify this nonlinear relationship in Wuhan. The control measures were parameterized into two factors: the effective number of daily contacts (people) (r); the average waiting time for quarantined patients (day) (g). Results: The parameter r has a threshold value that if r is less than 5 (people), the number of COVID-19 infected patients is very close to 0. A “central valley” around r = 5~6 can be observed, indicating an optimal control measure to reduce economic losses. A lower value of parameter g is beneficial to stop COVID-19 spread with a lower economic cost. Conclusion: The simulation results demonstrate that implementing strict control measures as early as possible can stop the spread of COVID-19 with a minimal economic impact. The quantitative assessment method in this study can be applied in other COVID-19 pandemic areas or countries.

scholarly journals RISK ASSESSMENT PERUSAHAAN EXPORT SEPATU PADA BAGIAN LINE UPPER PT. X

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Novita Dewi Vebriyana Dankis ◽  
Mulyono Mulyono
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Control ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Hazard Identification ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Residual Risk ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
On Line ◽  
Punch Hole

ABSTRACTRevolution in the industry sector has been rapidly grown to fill up all the needs of the consumer products. One involves  supporting advanced machinery such as “Cutting, Skiving, Stitching, Emboss Logo, Roving, Punch Hole, Juki, BrushingEdge, Hammer Over Lapping and Two Molding”. In the factory production process, there are various types of high-risk activities, especially on line upper. The main of this research is to study the risk assessment on export companies line the upper part of the shoes export company using Job Safety Analysis. This research was conducted observational crosssectional design. Observations made to the hazards and control measures. Interviews were conducted to 12 employees. Variables in this research is production activity, hazard identification, risk assessment, risk control and residual risk. The results of hazard identification has been done, there are 91 known potential hazards, for risk assessment found 7 high risk and low risk 5. Machine classified as high risk on the risk assessment is roving machine, whereas low-risk is two molding machine. Control efforts on the upper line in accordance with the hierarchy of controlling a number of 91 controls, whereas for the residual risk still remains as much as 30 residual risk. Control has been applied quite well by pressing the consequences of hazards and risk management.Keywords: risk assessment, controlling, residual risk

scholarly journals Healthcare worker’s emotions, perceived stressors and coping mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254252
Author(s):  
Suzanne Rose ◽  
Josette Hartnett ◽  
Seema Pillai
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Psychological Burden ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Risk Of Exposure ◽  
And Coping

Increasing cases, insufficient amount of personal protection equipment, extremely demanding workloads, and lack of adequate therapies to save lives can contribute to a psychological burden directly related to working during disease outbreaks. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 due to its ability to spread efficiently through asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. There are limited studies assessing the pandemic’s psychological impact on HCWs, specifically those in close proximity to hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Our study explored the emotions, perceived stressors, and coping strategies of front-line HCWs at high risk of exposure to COVID-19 during the first surge at our community-based teaching hospital, the epicenter of COVID-19 in Connecticut. A validated comprehensive questionnaire derived and modified from previous epidemics was used to inquire about staff feelings, factors that caused stress and factors that mitigated stress. Personal coping strategies and factors that can increase staff’s motivation to work during future events of similar nature were also asked. Emotional reactions, coping mechanisms, and stressors varied by healthcare role, while some experiences and reactions were similar among groups. Willingness to participate in a second wave of the pandemic or future outbreaks is strongly driven by adequate personal protective equipment, financial recognition, and recognition from management, similarly reported in previous disease outbreaks. All groups felt a reduction in stress due to a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, as well as when sharing jokes or humor with colleagues. Our HCWs at high risk of exposure experienced significant emotional distress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. By understanding the needs and experiences of our HCWs at highest risk, we can improve our psychological support using targeted interventions during future waves of this pandemic or similar devastating events.

scholarly journals Spatial-time Visualization of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in an Urban Area: Informing Health Policy and Practice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neda Firouraghi ◽  
Sayyed Mostafa Mostafavi ◽  
Amene Raouf-Rahmati ◽  
Alireza Mohammadi ◽  
Reza Saemi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Risk Areas

Abstract Background:Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an important public health concern worldwide. Iran is among the most CL-affected countries, being listed as one of the first six endemic countries in the world. In order to develop targeted interventions, we performed a spatial-time visualization of CL cases in an urban area to identify high-risk and low-risk areas during 2016-2019.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Mashhad. Patient data were gathered from Mashhad health centers. All cases (n=2425) were diagnosed in two stages; the initial diagnosis was based on clinical findings. Subsequently, clinical manifestation was confirmed by parasitological tests. The data were aggregated at the neighborhood and district levels and smoothed CL incidence rates per 100,000 individuals were calculated using the spatial empirical Bayesian approach. Furthermore, we used the Anselin Local Moran’s I statistic to identify clusters and outliers of CL distribution during 2016-2019 in Mashhad. Results:The overall incidence rates decreased from 34.6 per 100,000 in 2016 to 19.9 per 100,000 individuals in 2019. Both cluster analyses by crude incidence rate and smoothed incidence rate identified high-risk areas in southwestern Mashhad over the study period. Furthermore, the analyses revealed low-risk areas in northeastern Mashhad over the same 3-year period.Conclusions:The southwestern area of Mashhad had the highest CL incidence rates. This piece of information might be of value to design tailored interventions such as running effective resource allocation models, informed control plans and implementation of efficient surveillance systems. Furthermore, this study generates new hypotheses to test potential relationships between socio-economic and environmental risk factors and incidence of CL in areas with higher associated risks.

scholarly journals Targeting hotspots to reduce transmission of malaria in Senegal: modeling of the effects of human mobility

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kankoé Sallah ◽  
Roch Giorgi ◽  
El Hadj Ba ◽  
Martine Piarroux ◽  
Renaud Piarroux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Modeling ◽  
Malaria Incidence ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Transmission Season ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Additional Control ◽  
Mathematical Simulations

AbstractBackgroundIn central Senegal malaria incidences have declined in recent years in response to scaling-up of control measures, but now remains stable, making elimination improbable. Additional control measures are needed to reduce transmission.MethodsBy using a meta-population mathematical model, we evaluated chemotherapy interventions targeting stable malaria hotspots, using a differential equation framework and incorporating human mobility, and fitted to weekly malaria incidences from 45 villages, over 5 years. Three simulated approaches for selecting intervention targets were compared: a) villages with at least one malaria case during the low transmission season of the previous year; b) villages ranked highest in terms of incidence during the high transmission season of the previous year; c) villages ranked based on the degree of connectivity with adjacent populations.ResultsOur mathematical modeling, taking into account human mobility, showed that the intervention strategies targeting hotspots should be effective in reducing malaria incidence in both treated and untreated areas.ConclusionsMathematical simulations showed that targeted interventions allow increasing malaria elimination potential.

scholarly journals Impact of Naturally Occurring Asbestos on Asbestos Ban: Regulations and Experience of the Republic of Korea

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 742
Author(s):  
Jiwoon Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Exposure Risk ◽  
Close Collaboration ◽  
Mineral Particles ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
The Future ◽  
Naturally Occurring Asbestos ◽  
The Republic

This review examined the main issues debated in Korea regarding the production and use of materials containing naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) as impurities, and investigated the impacts of these debates on the asbestos ban, as well as the future implications. In Korea, incidents associated with the production and use of NOA-contaminated talc powders, construction rocks, serpentinites, and dolomite rocks raised public concern and led to accelerating the ban on asbestos. The main controversies concern policies on appropriate asbestos content limits, whether materials containing a trace amount of NOA should be banned, and the control of materials with high human exposure risk. To address recurring controversies, the implementation of preventive measures to manage elongated mineral particles and the use of transmission electron microscopy for more sensitive analysis need to be discussed, along with reaching social agreement on the controversial policies. To minimize the potential exposure to asbestos that may occur during the production and use of industrial minerals in the future, it is necessary to apply occupational exposure control measures and monitor the health effects of the relevant population groups. These national policies on NOA should be prepared based on close collaboration and discussion with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and related academic experts.

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