Factors Associated With Critical-Care Healthcare Workers' Adherence to Recommended Barrier Precautions During the Toronto Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Outbreak

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 1275-1283 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Shigayeva ◽  
K. Green ◽  
J. M. Raboud ◽  
B. Henry ◽  
A. E. Simor ◽  
...  

Objective.To assess factors associated with adherence to recommended barrier precautions among healthcare workers (HCWs) providing care to critically ill patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).Setting.Fifteen acute care hospitals in Ontario, CanadaDesign.Retrospective cohort study.Patients.All patients with SARS who required intubation during the Toronto SARS outbreak in 2003.Participants.HCWS who provided care to or entered the room of a SARS patient during the period from 24 hours before intubation until 4 hours after intubation.Methods.Standardized interviews were conducted with eligible HCWs to assess their interactions with the SARS patient, their use of barrier precautions, their practices for removing personal protective equipment, and the infection control training they received.Results.Of 879 eligible HCWs, 795 (90%) participated. In multivariate analysis, the following predictors of consistent adherence to recommended barrier precautions were identified: recognition of the patient as a SARS case (odds ratio [OR], 2.5 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.5-4.5); recent infection control training (OR for interactive training, 2.7 [95% CI, 1.7-4.4]; OR for passive training, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.0-3.0]), and working in a SARS unit (OR, 4.0 [95% CI, 1.8-8.9]) or intensive care unit (OR, 4.3 [95% CI, 2.0-9.0]). Two factors were associated with significantly lower rates of consistent adherence: the provision of care for patients with higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores (OR for score APACHE II of 20 or greater, 0.4 [95% CI, 0.28-0.68]) and work on shifts that required more frequent room entry (OR for 6 or more entries per shift, 0.5 [95% CI, 0.32-0.86]).Conclusions.There were significant deficits in knowledge about self-protection that were partially corrected by education programs during the SARS outbreak. HCWs' adherence to self-protection guidelines was most closely associated with whether they provided care to patients who had received a definite diagnosis of SARS.

2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Poutanen ◽  
Mary Vearncombe ◽  
Allison J. McGeer ◽  
Michael Gardam ◽  
Grant Large ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:The four hospitals assessed in this study use active surveillance cultures for methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and contact precautions for MRSA-positive patients as part of routine infection control practices. The objective of this study was to determine whether nosocomial acquisition of MRSA decreased in these hospitals during an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) when barrier precautions were routinely used for all patients.Design:Retrospective cohort study.Setting:Three tertiary-care hospitals (a 1,100-bed hospital; a 500-bed hospital; and an 823-bed hospital) and a 430-bed community hospital, each located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Patients:All admitted patients were included.Results:The nosocomial rate of MRSA in all four hospitals combined during the SARS outbreak (3.7 per 10,000 patient-days) was not significantly different from that before (4.7 per 10,000 patient-days) or after (3.4 per 10,000 patient-days) the outbreak (P= .30 andP= .76, respectively). The nosocomial rate of MRSA after the outbreak was significantly lower than that before the outbreak (P= .003). Inappropriate reuse of gloves and gowns and failure to wash hands between patients on non-SARS wards were observed during the outbreak. Increased attention was paid to infection control education following the outbreak.Conclusions:Inappropriate reuse of gloves and gowns and failure to wash hands between patients may have contributed to transmission of MRSA during the SARS outbreak. Attention should be paid to training healthcare workers regarding the appropriate use of precautions as a means to protect themselves and patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 388-396
Author(s):  
Hyunkyum Kim ◽  
Jeongmin Oh ◽  
Sang-Gon Lee ◽  
Kwang-Seok Shim

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been an epidemic in the Republic of Korea since the first patient who came in China was confirmed as having the disease on January 19, 2020. Therefore, surgery for COVID-19-related patients is expected to increase.Case: We experienced two cases of COVID-19-related patients who underwent surgery for femur fracture under general anesthesia. In one case, infection control to prevent transmission was achieved, while in the second case, healthcare workers were exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2).Conclusions: In areas where there is COVID-19 epidemic, SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR should be performed before surgery in patients with symptoms of respiratory infection such as fever, cough, and sputum, or for those in whom the possibility of COVID-19 cannot be completely excluded. Efforts should be made to prevent healthcare worker’s exposure and the contamination of the operating room.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja Vigenschow ◽  
Jean Ronald Edoa ◽  
Bayode Romeo Adegbite ◽  
Pacome Achimi Agbo ◽  
Ayola A. Adegnika ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In countries with a high tuberculosis incidence such as Gabon, healthcare workers are at enhanced risk to become infected with tuberculosis due to their occupational exposure. In addition, transmission can occur between patients and visitors, if a tuberculosis infection is not suspected in time. Knowledge about tuberculosis and correct infection control measures are therefore highly relevant in healthcare settings. Methods We conducted an interviewer-administered knowledge, attitude and practice survey amongst healthcare workers in 20 healthcare facilities at all levels in the Moyen-Ogooué province, Gabon. Correctly answered knowledge questions were scored and then categorised into four knowledge levels. Additionally, factors associated with high knowledge levels were identified. Fisher’s Exact test was used to identify factors associated with high knowledge levels. Results A total of 103 questionnaires were completed by various healthcare personnel. The most-frequently scored category was ‘intermediate knowledge’, which was scored by 40.8% (42/103), followed by ‘good knowledge’ with 28.2% (29/103) and ‘poor knowledge’ with 21.4% (22/103) of participating healthcare workers, respectively. ‘Excellent knowledge’ was achieved by 9.7% (10/103) of the interviewees. Apart from the profession, education level, type of employing healthcare facility, as well as former training on tuberculosis were significantly associated with high knowledge scores. Attitudes were generally positive towards tuberculosis infection control efforts. Of note, healthcare workers reported that infection control measures were not consistently practiced; 72.8% (75/103) of the participants were scared of becoming infected with tuberculosis, and 98.1% saw a need for improvement of local tuberculosis control. Conclusions The survey results lead to the assumption that healthcare workers in the Moyen-Ogooué province are at high risk to become infected with tuberculosis. There is an urgent need for improvement of tuberculosis infection control training for local healthcare personnel, particularly for less trained staff such as assistant nurses. Furthermore, the lack of adequate infection control measures reported by staff could possibly be correlated with a lack of adequate facility structures and protective equipment and requires further investigation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin-Chung Cheng ◽  
Yu-Chun Yen ◽  
Amy Ming-Fang Yen ◽  
Sam Li-Sheng Chen

Abstract Background We aimed to investigate factors associated with personal self-protection in infection control among dental care workers. Methods A cross-sectional survey with self-report questionnaire was conducted between Jan and Dec, 2018. 275 dentists and 298 dental assistants were enrolled from randomly selected dental care settings.Results Compliance with wearing hair caps, facial masks, and hand washing is not as high as oral masks and gloves (over 90%). For dentists, the level of clinical setting (aOR=3.1, P<0.001) and the correct use of disinfectants for impression materials (aOR=2.0, P<0.05) were associated with hair cap wearing. Gender (aOR=0.15, P<0.05) and correct use of indicator during sterilization (aOR=2.9, P<0.05) were associated with facial mask wearing. The correct use of indicator during sterilization (aOR=2.4, P<0.05) and disinfection for impression materials (aOR=2.2, P<0.05) were associated with hand washing. For dental assistants, longer work experience (aOR=1.05, P<0.05), working days (aOR=1.82, P<0.05), the correct use of disinfectants for impression materials (aOR=2.4, P<0.001), and the frequent use of gloves (aOR=8.0, P<0.05) were associated with facial mask wearing. The surface disinfection of working tables (aOR=2.8, P<0.001) and the frequent changing of gloves (aOR=5.96, P<0.05) were associated with hand washing. Conclusions Gender, the length of work practice, and correct techniques for sterilization use were identified as major factors associated with compliance with self-protection in infection control among dental care workers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Jiahui Wang ◽  
Yanhua Hao ◽  
Ke Wu ◽  
Mingli Jiao ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThe sudden outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) plunged healthcare workers (HCWs) into warfare. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout and the factors associated with it among frontline HCWs fighting COVID-19.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among frontline HCWs fighting against the COVID-19 in Wuhan, Harbin, and Shenzhen during the period from February 18 to March 4. Finally, HCWs were recruited using cluster sampling, 1,163 HCWs were included in the final analysis. Burnout was measured using a 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory scale (MBI scale).ResultsOf the participants, 48.6% suffered from burnout, and 21.8% showed a high degree of burnout. Doctors (b = 3.954, P = 0.011) and nurses (b = 3.067, P = 0.042) showed higher emotional exhaustion (EE) than administrators. Participants who worked continuously for more than 8 h a day (b = 3.392, P = 0.000), those who were unable to eat three regular daily meals (b = 2.225, P = 0.008), whose daily water intake was no more than 800 ml (b = 3.007, P = 0.000), who slept for no more than 6 h (b = 1.609, P = 0.036), and who were infected or had colleagues who were infected with COVID-19 (b = 4.182, P = 0.000) experienced much higher levels of EE, while those who could adhere to infection control procedures (b = −5.992, P = 0.000), who were satisfied with their hospital’s infection control measures(b = −3.709, P = 0.001), and who could receive sufficient psychological crisis intervention (b = −1.588, P = 0.039) reported lower levels of EE.ConclusionThe study reveals that burnout is prevalent among frontline HCWs and that the known factors associated with burnout, such as workload, and the factors directly associated with COVID-19, such as having insufficient protection, can affect burnout symptoms in frontline HCWs. Synergized and comprehensive interventions should be targeted at reducing its occurrence among frontline HCWs fighting COVID-19.


2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 1394-1398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Wei Ter Chee ◽  
Mark Li-Chung Khoo ◽  
Sow Fong Lee ◽  
Yeow Choy Lai ◽  
Ngek Mien Chin

Background Singapore reported its first case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in early March 2003 and was placed on the World Health Organization's list of SARS-affected countries on March 15, 2003. During the outbreak, Tan Tock Seng Hospital was designated as the national SARS hospital in Singapore to manage all known SARS patients. Stringent infection control measures were introduced to protect healthcare workers and control intrahospital transmission of SARS. Work-flow processes for surgery were extensively modified. Methods The authors describe the development of infection control measures, the conduct of surgical procedures, and the management of high-risk procedures during the SARS outbreak. Results Forty-one operative procedures, including 15 high-risk procedures (surgical tracheostomy), were performed on SARS-related patients. One hundred twenty-four healthcare workers had direct contact with SARS patients during these procedures. There was no transmission of SARS within the operating room complex. Conclusions Staff personal protection, patient risk categorization, and reorganization of operating room workflow processes formed the key elements for the containment of SARS transmission. Lessons learned during this outbreak will help in the planning and execution of infection control measures, should another outbreak occur.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-105
Author(s):  
Alshahrani et al. ◽  

The aim of this study was to assess the perception of healthcare workers regarding self-protection during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. The novel COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed the dynamic of governments, social lives, global economy, and health care systems priorities. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are one of the most group of people at risk of acquiring the infection, especially those who are taking care of COVID-19 patients. This cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted among HCWs during the period between May to July 2020 in Saudi Arabia. More than 70% of participating HCWs were able to access the personal safety policies and procedures in the workplace and COVID-19 treatment algorithm. In addition, the presence of an infection control team was also present in most of the institutes. The most common accessible personal protective equipment was hand gel sanitizer (89.9%), followed by disposable gloves (82.5%) and disposable masks (78.9%). More than 75% of participants reported that their institute has a special infection control team during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the respondents (~75%) believe that their institute would take all necessary measurements to protect their personal integrity at work. Several precautionary measures were undertaken appropriately by the Saudi Government to overcome the COVID-19 immediate and futuristic consequences. Personal protective equipment and protective measures would be crucial for public health if implemented appropriately during highly spreading infections (e.g., COVID-19) to minimize the transmission and preserve health


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