What we learned from the COVID-19 infection control and what we need in the future, a quantitative and qualitative study on hospital infection prevention and control practitioners (HIPCPs) in Tianjin, China

Abstract

BackgroundIn December 2022, the epidemic prevention and control policy was upgraded and China came to a different stage of epidemic control. There have been no studies from the perspective of infection prevention and control practitioners (HIPCP) about the historic surge. ObjectiveTo understand the needs of the healthcare system during the epidemic and to identify implications for better healthcare supply and infection control in the future. MethodsA longitudinal quantitative and qualitative study was performed based on two comprehensive questionnaire surveys among 497 HIPCPs before and during the epidemic peak in Tianjin, China. ResultsThe workload (8.2 hours vs 10.14 hours, P = 0) and self-reported mental health problems (23.5% vs. 61.8%, P < 0.05) among the HIPCPs increased significantly in the peak period. Ward reconstruction and resource coordination were the most needed jobs in hospital infection control, and rapidly increased medical waste during the epidemic needs to be considered in advance. Community support for healthcare personnel and their families, maintaining full PPE to reduce simultaneous infection of medical staff, and clinical training of infectious diseases for medical staff, especially doctors in advance are the most important things we learned. ConclusionAlthough it has been four years since the first outbreak of COVID-19, more improvements should be made to prepare for the next wave of COVID-19 or other diseases.