Implementing Infection Prevention Research Articles

Study on the prevention and nursing intervention of infection after flap transfer for hand trauma.

To analyze the factors associated with infection after flap transfer for hand trauma and use them to develop nursing strategies and observe the effects of their application. Eighty-two patients admitted to our hospital for flap transfer for hand trauma from January 2020 to May 2020 were selected for the retrospective analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors associated with postoperative infections to develop care strategies. Another 88 patients admitted for flap transfer for hand trauma from September 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into the observation (n = 44) and control groups (n = 44) according nursing strategies that they received. The operative time, intraoperative bleeding, incision healing time, first postoperative time to get out of bed on their own and hospital stay were compared between the 2 groups. The patients postoperative adverse effects and flap survival rates were also counted. visual analogue score, total active motion, manual muscle test, Barthel index, self-rating anxiety scale, self-rating depression scale scores were used to assess patients pain, hand function recovery and psychology before and after treatment. Logistic regression analysis manifested that postoperative bed rest time, affected limb immobilization, and pain were independent factors affecting postoperative infection after flap transfer (P < .05). After using targeted care strategies, the observation group had dramatically shorter operative time, intraoperative bleeding, incision healing time, time to first postoperative bed release on their own, and hospital stay, less postoperative pain and adverse effects, and higher flap survival rate than the control group (P < .05). Total active motion, manual muscle test, and Barthel index were higher in the observation group than in the control group after treatment, while self-rating anxiety scale and self-rating depression scale scores were lower than in the control group (P < .05). Finally, total satisfaction was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < .05). Postoperative bedtime, fixation of the affected limb, and pain are independent factors affecting postoperative infection after flap transfer for hand trauma. Implementing infection prevention care strategies based on these factors can effectively improve the safety of flap transfer, reduce the possibility of infection, and shorten the recovery period of patients, which has high clinical application value.

Perceptions of organizational culture among infection preventionists in Israel, the United States, and Thailand: Results from national infection prevention surveys

In national surveys of infection preventionists in Israel (n=15), the United States (n=415), and Thailand (n=100), we found that views of organizational culture track well with these countries' cultural dimension scores of power distance and individualism. Our findings highlight the importance of considering cultural dimensions when implementing infection prevention efforts.

Determinants of Nurse Performance in Implementation of Infection Prevention and Control Using Employee Engagement Theory in Pandemic Period: A Literature Review

Nurse performance is an important parameter in improving the quality of health services. Nurse performance is influenced by several factors such as individual factors, psychological and organizational factors. The need for support for nurse performance can also be increased through an employee engagement approach. This study aims to identify the determinants factors of nurse performance in implementing infection prevention and control using the theory of employee engagement during a pandemic. This study uses the literature review method. Article search uses 4 journal databases from 2019-2023 which were reviewed including Garuda, Google Scholar, Pubmed and Scient Direct and fifteen articles met the criteria. The results showed that the determinants of nurse performance using employee engagement theory were leadership and organization. Nurse performance influences employee engagement, engaged nurses will have high work engagement and nurses who are not engaged will have low work engagement. The implementation of employee engagement during the pandemic there were still several factors that had not been widely intervened, so further research is needed to find out how the theory of employee engagement is applied to find out the performance factors of nurses in implementing infection prevention and control.

Improvement in Infection Prevention and Control Compliance at the Three Tertiary Hospitals of Sierra Leone following an Operational Research Study.

Implementing infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes in line with the World Health Organization's (WHO) eight core components has been challenging in Sierra Leone. In 2021, a baseline study found that IPC compliance in three tertiary hospitals was sub-optimal. We aimed to measure the change in IPC compliance and describe recommended actions at these hospitals in 2023. This was a 'before and after' observational study using two routine cross-sectional assessments of IPC compliance using the WHO IPC Assessment Framework tool. IPC compliance was graded as inadequate (0-200), basic (201-400), intermediate (401-600), and advanced (601-800). The overall compliance scores for each hospital showed an improvement from 'Basic' in 2021 to 'Intermediate' in 2023, with a percentage increase in scores of 16.9%, 18.7%, and 26.9% in these hospitals. There was improved compliance in all core components, with the majority in the 'Intermediate' level for each hospital IPC programme. Recommended actions including the training of healthcare workers and revision of IPC guidelines were undertaken, but a dedicated IPC budget and healthcare-associated infection surveillance remained as gaps in 2023. Operational research is valuable in monitoring and improving IPC programme implementation. To reach the 'Advanced' level, these hospitals should establish a dedicated IPC budget and develop long-term implementation plans.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection in children from a third level hospital in Mexico: clinical characteristics and molecular epidemiology.

Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a threat to public health due to the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant isolates. Information regarding the clinical and molecular characterization of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) infections in children is scarce. Our study aimed to describe the clinical and molecular characteristics of CRAB infections in children from third-level center in Mexico. Consecutive cases of CRAB infections were documented during 2017-2022. Clinical and demographic data were collected from clinical records. Mass spectrometry was used for the identification of the isolates. The identification of A. baumannii strains was confirmed by conducting a PCR assay targeting the gyrB sequence. In addition, the carbapenemase-encoding resistance genes were detected by PCR. 21 cases of CRAB infections were documented, 76% female. 62% were neonates. The median hospital length of stay at the time of positive culture was 37 days (interquartile range [IQR], 13-54). 64% of the isolates were recovered from bronchial secretions. A co-resistance rate greater than 60% was observed for most groups of antibiotics. All carbapenem-resistant isolates carried blaOXA-24 genes. BlaIMP genes were detected in half of the cases, with all strains co-harboring blaOXA-24 genes. The present study demonstrated a high proportion of CRAB infections in the neonatal population, a high prevalence of co-resistance to antibiotics, and a high rate of isolates carrying blaOXA-24 and blaIMP genes. CRAB is a significant concern due to the mortality rate and the lack of therapeutic alternatives; implementing infection prevention and control programs is urgent to stop the spread of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Determinants in Implementing Infection Prevention and Control Practice in Nursing Homes: A Scoping Review Based on Theoretical Domains Framework

Determinants in Implementing Infection Prevention and Control Practice in Nursing Homes: A Scoping Review Based on Theoretical Domains Framework

Precise Nursing of Six Patients Who Underwent Second Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

This study aimed to summarize the experience of precise nursing in 6 patients who experienced failed allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (allo-HSCTs) that underwent second allo-HSCT salvage treatment. The key points of nursing care included strictly implementing infection prevention and control measures to prevent secondary infections, precise symptom management to improve the graft survival rate of patients, formulating reasonable nutrition programs to meet their requirements, and paying attention to the psychological care of patients to enhance their self-confidence in overcoming diseases. The patients developed different degrees of complications in the process of transplantation. During the transplantation, 2 patients had oral mucositis, 2 had hemorrhagic cystitis, 3 had a perianal infection, and one had lower gastrointestinal bleeding. After careful treatment and nursing, the neutrophils transplanted in the 6 patients were alive at a median of 16.5 (13-20) days after the second allo-HSCT, and the patients were successfully transferred out of the laminar flow chamber.

Selected micronutrient status of school-aged children at risk of Schistosoma haematobium infection in suburban communities of Nigeria.

The parasite Schistosoma haematobium causes urogenital schistosomiasis, a chronic infectious disease that occurs mainly among school-age children. The prevalence of S. haematobium infection and level of intensity relative to age, gender and status of selected serum micronutrients among school-age children were investigated in suburban communities in Bekwarra, Nigeria. This cross-sectional school-based study randomly recruited 353 children aged between 4 and 16 years from five elementary schools between June 2019 and December 2019. We gathered socio-demographic data about each child using a semi-structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for micronutrient analysis and urine samples were collected for assessment of S. haematobium infection. A total of 57 (16.15%) school-age children were infected with S. haematobium. Girls (n = 34; 9.63%) were more frequently infected than boys (n = 23; 6.52%). Infection was most frequent among children aged 8-11 years (n = 32; 23.19%) and was significantly associated with age (p = 0.022) and gender (p < 0.001). Serum levels of iron, calcium, copper and zinc among infected children were significantly lower than those of non-infected children. Intensity of infection was negatively associated with iron (r = -0.21), calcium (r = -0.24), copper (r = -0.61; p < 0.001) and zinc (r = -0.41; p < 0.002). This study showed that S. haematobium infection adversely impacted the micronutrient status of school-age children in suburban Nigeria. Measures to lower the prevalence of schistosomiasis among school-age children, including efficient drug distribution, education campaigns and community engagement, are necessary. This research emphasises the significance of implementing infection prevention and control interventions to mitigate the transmission and prevalence of schistosomiasis among school age children.

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium: The value of a computerized monitoring system to limit their spread

ObjectiveTo quickly implement Infection Prevention and Control measures (“search and isolate” strategy), a computerized monitoring system for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) carrier and contact patients has been developed in our hospital since 2014. The objectives were to assess the value of a computerized monitoring system in CPE and VRE management and to evaluate the relevance of extended monitoring of all contact patients. MethodsUsing the data extracted from the computerized system, we conducted a descriptive analysis of CPE and VRE carriers detected from 2004 to 2019 and CPE and VRE extensive contact patients (when hospital stay overlapped with the stay of a carrier in the same unit) from 2014 to 2019. ResultsBetween 2015 and 2019 (microbiological data only available during this period), 113 CPE and 558 VRE carriers were registered in the database (DB). Among them, 33.9% CPE and 12.8% VRE carriers were infected (p = 0.02). The most frequent infections were urinary tract infections (52.0%), bloodstream infections (20.0%) and pneumonia (16.0%).Close to 8000 (7679) extended contact patients were exposed. Only 26.2% of them were removed from the DB because of appropriate negative post-exposure rectal screenings. No rectal screening was performed in 33.5% of contact patients.Between 2014 and 2019, 16 outbreaks occurred. The proportion of infected carriers differed significantly between outbreaks (index cases) and non-epidemic episodes (50.0% and 20.5% respectively, p = 0.03).The detection system was able to control diffusion in 99.7% of readmissions of known carriers. Among the 360 readmissions detected by the system, only one was involved in an outbreak due to non-compliance with infection control measures. ConclusionGiven the low screening completion rate (26.2%) and the low detection rate (1.3%), extended monitoring of contact patients does not seem relevant. After five years of use, the computerized monitoring system has demonstrated its effectiveness in terms of responsiveness and limitation of the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms.

SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control measures in Belgian schools between December 2020 and June 2021 and their association with seroprevalence: a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study

BackgroundTo protect school-aged children from the potential consequences of a new viral infection, public health authorities recommended to implement infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in school settings. Few studies evaluated the implementation of these measures and their effect on SARS-CoV-2 infection rates among pupils and staff. The aim of this study was to describe the implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in Belgian schools and assess its relation to the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among pupils and staff.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study in a representative sample of primary and secondary schools in Belgium between December 2020 and June 2021. The implementation of IPC measures in schools was assessed using a questionnaire. Schools were classified according to their compliance with the implementation of IPC measures as ‘poor’, ‘moderate’ or ‘thorough’. Saliva samples were collected from pupils and staff to determine the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence. To assess the association between the strength of implementation of IPC measures and SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among pupils and staff, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the data collected in December 2020/January 2021.ResultsA variety of IPC measures (ventilation, hygiene and physical distancing) was implemented by more than 60% of schools, with most attention placed on hygiene measures. In January 2021, poor implementation of IPC measures was associated with an increase in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among pupils from 8.6% (95%CI: 4.5 – 16.6) to 16.7% (95%CI: 10.2 – 27.4) and staff from 11.5% (95%CI: 8.1 – 16.4) to 17.6% (95%CI: 11.5 – 27.0). This association was only statistically significant for the assessment of all IPC measures together in the population comprised of pupils and staff.ConclusionsBelgian schools were relatively compliant with recommended IPC measures at the school level.Higher SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among pupils and staff was found in schools with poor implementation of IPC measures, compared to schools with thorough implementation.Trial registrationThis trial is registered under the NCT04613817 ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier on November 3, 2020.

Situational vulnerability within mental healthcare – a qualitative analysis of ethical challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundMental healthcare users and patients were described as a particularly vulnerable group in the debate on the burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just what this means and what normative conclusions can be derived from it depend to a large extent on the underlying concept of vulnerability. While a traditional understanding locates vulnerability in the characteristics of social groups, a situational and dynamic approach considers how social structures produce vulnerable social positions. The situation of users and patients in different psychosocial settings during the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet been comprehensively considered and ethically analyzed under the aspect of situational vulnerability.MethodsWe present the results of a retrospective qualitative analysis of a survey of ethical challenges in different mental healthcare facilities of a large regional mental healthcare provider in Germany. We evaluate them ethically using a dynamic and situational understanding of vulnerability.ResultsDifficulties in implementing infection prevention measures, restrictions of mental health services in favor of infection prevention, social isolation, negative health effects on mental healthcare users and patients, and challenges in implementing regulations on state and provider levels within the local specificities emerged across different mental healthcare settings as ethically salient topics.ConclusionsApplying a situational and dynamic understanding of vulnerability allows the identification of specific factors and conditions that have contributed to an increased context-dependent vulnerability for mental healthcare users and patients. These factors and conditions should be considered on the level of state and local regulations to reduce and address vulnerability.

ANALISIS PENERAPAN PENCEGAHAN DAN PENGENDALIAN INFEKSI UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KUALITAS LINGKUNGAN DAN KEAMANANAN PASIEN

PPI is an activity that includes planning, implementation, guidance, education and training as well as monitoring for infection prevention and control. PPI is very important because it describes the quality of service in hospitals. This research was conducted in one of the Pekanbaru X Private Hospitals in Riau Province. The research method used is a case study approach. Primary data obtained from observations and interviews, and document studies. Secondary data obtained from literature study. infection prevention and control program consists of managerial, administrative, environmental control, control with personal protective equipment and surveillance which based on the results of interviews at the Pekanbaru City X Private Hospital has met the requirements of the Decree of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number 270/Menkes/SK/III/200 . The environmental quality of the Pekanbaru X Private Hospital is classified as good and has met the requirements of the Decree of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1204/MENKES/SK/X/2004. Patient safety and security at the Pekanbaru X Private Hospital has implemented patient safety goals well but not optimally because from the results of observations there are only two patient safety goals that have received maximum results or 100%, namely increasing the use of drugs with high alert and certainty. right location, right procedure, right patient operation. So it can be concluded that Pekanbaru X Private Hospital has implemented infection prevention and control programs properly and in accordance with applicable SOPs.

Effects of Territorial Party Politics on Horizontal Coordination among the German Länder – An Analysis of the COVID-19 Pandemic Management in Germany

ABSTRACT The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 not only put the public health system under considerable pressure, but it also posed a huge challenge for established routines of intergovernmental coordination in Germany. As the Länder are responsible for implementing infection prevention measures, the most senior intergovernmental council, the minister presidents’ conference (MPK), became the central body for pandemic crisis management. In light of high uncertainty, time pressure and public attention, drastic actions were taken to contain the dissemination of the corona virus. Against this background, our paper investigates how party politics impacted on horizontal coordination in times of crisis. The analysis shows that indeed territorial party politics interferes with routines of intergovernmental coordination. While congruence between the federal and Länder governments promotes homogenous implementation of joint MPK resolutions, increasing coalition size and intense party competition make deviations more likely. Finally, partisan ideology plays a key role as parties pursue clearly distinct pandemic management strategies.

SG-APSIC1069: Implementing infection prevention bundle significantly reduced multidrug-resistant organisms infection and healthcare-associated infections in intensive care unit at a national hospital in Vietnam

Objectives: In Vietnam, the burden of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), especially by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), can be greater at national hospitals where a high number of severe patients from lower-tier hospitals are received for treatment. To reduce MDRO and HAI incidences at the tropical diseases intensive care unit (ICU) of Cho Ray Hospital, the final line of treatment for 20 southern provinces of Vietnam, a comprehensive infection prevention bundle was developed and implemented in 2019. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the effectiveness of this intervention in preventing MDRO infections and HAIs among patients at risk. Methods: The infection prevention bundle included elements to improve administration controls, environmental controls, and personal protective equipment usage. The bundle was implemented via training and active monitoring. Medical data, such as microbiology results, length of hospital stay, treatment cost of all patients admitted to the targeted ICU, and data on adherence to the bundle elements, were collected via routine monitoring from July to December 2019. These data were reviewed and analyzed. An independent 2-sample t test was used to calculate the significance of the differences in MDRO and HAI rates before and after the intervention. Results: The mean number of MDRO infections decreased significantly after implementation of the infection prevention bundle (7.0 vs 3.3; P = .011). HAI and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) rates also decreased significantly (5.9 vs 3.7; P= .013 and 20.4 vs 13.7; P=0.047, respectively). The mean total treatment cost per patient was reduced by 1.8 million VND (US $76.76). Bundle-element adherence was high throughout the intervention period, ranging from 72.7% (putting MDRO sign on beds) to 100% (hand hygiene, cohort patients, environment cleaning). Conclusions: Implementation of an appropriate infection prevention bundle with a high adherence rate by healthcare workers helped to effectively reduce MDRO infection and HAI rates in the tropical diseases ICU.

Evaluation of Comprehensive COVID-19 Testing Program Outcomes in a US Dental Clinical Care Academic Setting

Although many academic institutions have implemented infection control and prevention protocols, including regular asymptomatic self-testing, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the outcomes of mandatory surveillance testing programs at academic dental institutions that offer direct patient-facing clinical care has not yet been reported. To report the findings of a comprehensive surveillance COVID-19 testing program at an academic dental institution by assessing SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates and the potential association of test positivity with individual-level characteristics such as age, sex, and role. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using SARS-CoV-2 self-testing data from a mandatory surveillance program at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Test results obtained between August 24, 2020, and February 28, 2022, from students, faculty, and staff members were analyzed. Testing cadence varied from 1 to 3 times per week depending on risk status. The association of individual characteristics with test positivity was evaluated with univariate analyses and a bayesian multilevel logistic regression model. Age by decade, sex, and role or position category (staff members, faculty, and students stratified by their involvement in clinical care activities), testing cadence, and testing date. Positive results from SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction self-tests were assessed. Of the 390 study participants, 210 (53.8%) were women. Participants were grouped by age as follows: 20 to 29 years (190 [48.7%]), 30 to 39 years (88 [22.6%]), 40 to 49 years (44 [11.3%]), 50 to 59 years (42 [10.8%]), and 60 years or older (26 [6.7%]). Test results demonstrated an overall 0.27% positivity rate (61 test-positive cases), with a peak weekly positivity rate of 5.12% in the first week of January 2022. The mean (SD) test positivity rate among those involved in clinical activities was 0.25% (0.04) compared with 0.36% (0.09) among nonclinical participants. When adjusting for all considered covariates, test positivity was significantly associated with testing frequency (3 times vs 1 time per week: odds ratio [OR], 1.51 [95% credible interval (CrI), 1.07-3.69]) and timing of the test (after vs during the Alpha wave: OR, 0.33 [95% CrI, 0.11-0.88]; and Omicron vs Alpha: OR, 11.59 [95% CrI, 6.49-22.21]) but not with individual characteristics (age, sex, and role). These findings suggest that implementing an adaptive testing cadence based on the risk status of individuals may be effective in reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection within an institution. In this study, involvement in clinical activities did not pose additional risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with other in-person activities in the presence of these control measures.

Pediatric kidney transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A waiting list for non-emergency transplant medical care was recommended in the first half of 2020 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Hence, the number of kidney transplants temporarily declined. However, the waiting list for transplant medical care was lifted in the latter half of 2020 with the establishment of a polymerase chain reaction test system and the spread of infection prevention. The basic stance is to recommend vaccination to post-transplant recipients, recipients, and donors who are scheduled to undergo transplantation, and their families, with the start of vaccine therapy in 2021. The mortality rate of patients undergoing kidney transplants who had COVID-19 is slightly higher than healthy persons, and acute kidney injury was reported to lead to graft loss. However, pediatric cases of severe disease are rare and without deaths. Kidney transplantation medical care will be continuously provided by implementing infection prevention and treatments based on the latest evidence, promoting donated kidney transplantation, and hoping that pediatric patients with renal failure will grow up healthy, both physically and mentally, and become independent members of society, just like healthy children.

Exploring infection prevention and control knowledge and beliefs in the Solomon Islands using Photovoice.

Healthcare associated infections are the most common complication of a person's hospital stay. Contemporary infection prevention and control programs are universally endorsed to prevent healthcare associated infections. However, western biomedical science on which contemporary infection prevention and control is based, is not the only way that staff and patients within healthcare settings understand disease causation and/or disease transmission. This results paper reports on one aspect of a study which ascertains perceptions of disease transmission and how these influence infection prevention and control practice at Atoifi Adventist Hospital Solomon Islands. Photovoice was used as the primary data collection method with staff and patients. The germ theory and hospital hygiene processes were only one of many explanations of disease transmission at the hospital. Many social, cultural and spiritual influences played an important role in how people understood disease to be transmitted. Although infection prevention and control models based on western science continue to form the premise of reducing healthcare associated infections in Solomon Islands and locations across the globe, local social, cultural and spiritual beliefs need to be considered when planning and implementing infection prevention and control programs to ensure success.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Screening Intentions During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: Web-Based Survey.

The number of people undergoing cancer screening decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic may have affected the willingness and motivation of undergoing cancer screening by those eligible for it. This study aims to clarify the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the intention to undergo cancer and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) screening. We performed a web-based survey on the intention to undergo screening among 1236 men and women aged 20-79 years. The numbers of participants by sex and 10-year age groups were equal. The survey was conducted in January 2021, during which the government declared a state of emergency because of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Emergency declarations were issued in 11 prefectures among all the 47 prefectures in Japan. In total, 66.1% (817/1236) of the participants felt anxious about undergoing screening due to COVID-19. More women than men were anxious about undergoing screening. By modality, EGD had the highest percentage of participants with anxiety due to COVID-19. Regarding the intention to change the participants' appointment for screening, the most common strategies were to book an appointment for a time during nonpeak hours, postpone the appointment to a later date, and change the mode of transportation. In addition, 35.8% (442/1236) of the participants were willing to cancel this year's screening appointment. Among the 1236 participants, 757 (61.2%) were scheduled for screening in 2020. Of the 757 participants in this subgroup, 68% (n=515) did not change the schedule, 6.1% (n=46) cancelled, and 26% (n=197) made some changes, including changing the appointment date, hospital, or mode of transportation. Among the 296 participants scheduled for EGD screening, 18.9% (n=56) made some changes, 5.7% (n=17) cancelled on their own, and 2.7% (n=8) cancelled on the hospital's order. Based on the previous screening results, the percentage of participants who felt anxious about EGD due to the COVID-19 pandemic was higher in the order of those who had not undergone screening and those who were judged to be in need of further examination in screening but did not visit a hospital for it. In the logistic regression analysis, the factors associated with anxiety about EGD screening due to the COVID-19 pandemic were "viral infection prevention measures," "waiting time," "fees (medical expenses)," "mode of transportation," "worry about my social position if I contracted COVID-19," and "perceived the risk of gastric cancer." However, "residence in declared emergency area" was not associated with EGD anxiety due to COVID-19. Excessive anxiety about COVID-19 may lead to serious outcomes, such as a "decreasing intention to undergo EGD screening," and it is necessary to thoroughly implement infection prevention measures and provide correct information to examinees.

The impediments of implementing infection prevention control in public hospitals: Nurses' perspectives.

Infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes were introduced to combat healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance and to facilitate the implementation of IPC measures. The implementation of policies and guidelines results in effective service delivery. The purpose of the study was to explore nurses' experiences and perceptions regarding the impediments to implementing the IPC measures. The study was conducted in three public hospitals in Gauteng Province, South Africa. A qualitative exploratory design was used, and 49 nurses were purposively selected from three public hospitals to understand their experiences and perceptions regarding the impediments to implementing the IPC measures. Five focus group discussions were conducted using semi-structured interviews. Tesch's eight steps method was used to analyse data resulting in three main themes and seven sub-themes. Three main themes emerged. Nurses experienced challenges regarding knowledge and attitudes towards IPC measures, inadequate hospital infrastructure and lack of management support. The lack of infection prevention control knowledge, infrastructure and management support impede the implementation of IPC measures. Consistent support in terms of training, resources and infrastructure is essential for implementing the measures. The findings in this study will empower the nurses, doctors and managers with knowledge in implementing IPC measures to improve the infection prevention programme.

HUBUNGAN SUPERVISI DENGAN PELAKSANAAN PENCEGAHAN DAN PENGENDALIAN INFEKSI PADA PERAWAT PELAKSANA DI RSUD ARIFIN ACHMAD

Background: HAIs are nosocomial infections that occur in health services. The impact that can be caused by the occurrence of HAIs is one of the most dangerous and can lead to death. Given the magnitude of the impact of HAIs on health burdens, it is therefore necessary to implement infection prevention and control (PPI) in health service facilities. However, what happened was that the PPI by the implementing nurse was still ineffective. This study aims to determine the relationship between supervision and the implementation of infection prevention and control by implementing nurses. Methods:This study uses a descriptive method with a cross-sectional study approach. The population is the executing nurse. The sample was 63 respondents with a purposive sampling technique. The measuring instrument used is a questionnaire. The analysis used is the chi-square test. Results: Statistical test results showed a significant relationship between supervision (p value = 0.025) and the implementation of PPI in implementing nurses. Conclusion: supervision is related to the implementation of infection prevention and control in implementing nurses. Advice: Nurses are expected to maintain and improve PPI in the room while also setting a good example for other health care workers, patients, and families. In addition, the PPI team continues to work optimally and provide facilities to support PPI in hospitals.