Infection Control Measures In Practice Research Articles

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 among paramedical staff in Central India: A cross-sectional, online survey.

BACKGROUND:Knowledge of a disease can influence paramedic's attitudes and practices, and incorrect attitudes and practices directly increase the risk of infection. Understanding paramedic's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) and possible risk factors helps to predict the outcomes of planned behavior. To assess KAP regarding COVID-19 through Google form among paramedical staff at tertiary care teaching institutes of central India.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A cross-sectional, multicentric, questionnaire-based study was conducted from May 2020 to August 2020 among 230 paramedical staff from two tertiary care teaching institutes through Google form. Data were analyzed by Chi-square test and parametric test using GraphPad prism software version 5.0.RESULTS:All participants had knowledge about symptomatology of COVID-19. However, significantly more participants in nursing cadre know about definition of close contact. The mean knowledge score was 4.84 ± 0.6. The mean score for attitude was 4.48 ± 0.83. Overall, 54.78% of paramedical staff follow correct prevention strategies. Of them, significantly more nursing staff correctly practice infection control measures upon arrival of COVID-19 patients (P = 0.033). There was a significant difference among both groups regarding wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment while transporting/accompanying patients who are confirmed with COVID 19 (P = 0.009). The overall score for practice is 3.97 ± 1.03. The practice score was significantly better in nursing cadre as compared to nonnursing cadre (P = 0.038).CONCLUSION:Majority of the participants had good knowledge and positive attitude. Nursing cadre follows better preventive practices as compared to nonnursing cadre while performing COVID-related duties. Considering these facts, dodges responsible for poor practices should be identified and resolved so that India will be able to conquest the battle against the disease.

Analyzing Healthcare Workers’ Perspectives on Healthcare-Associated Infections and Infection Control Practices Using Video Reflexive Ethnography (VRE)

Background: This study explores the perspectives of healthcare workers on the healthcare-associated infection (HAI) and infection control measures in a tertiary-care unit, through a self-administered questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, and reflexive sessions based on video-recorded sterile procedures performed in respondents’ work contexts. Video reflexive ethnography (VRE) is a method that provides feedback to medical practitioners through reflection analysis, whereby practitioners identify problems and find solutions. Methods: Quantitative questionnaire data were used to assess the knowledge of HAI among 50 healthcare workers and their attitude toward practice of infection control measures. Semistructured interviews based on an interview guide were used to collect qualitative data from 25 doctors and nurses. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim immediately. Also, routine sterile procedures in the wards and intensive care unit were video recorded, and the footage was discussed by the infection control team and the personnel involved in the videos. This discussion was video recorded and transcribed. Both interview data and reflexive discussion of video-graph were analyzed using a thematic analysis. The quantitative data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: The quantitative data revealed no difference in the knowledge, attitude, and practice scores used to evaluate the infection control practices among the healthcare workers. We identified 4 themes from the qualitative data: (1) knowledge of HAI and infection control, (2) infection control measures in practice, (3) the shortfall in infection control measures and HAI, and (4) required implementation. Although the qualitative data indicated that the participants had excellent compliance with hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) use, the VRE and reflective sessions indicated otherwise. Some astounding lapses were revealed, like failure to engage in boundary maintenance between sterile and nonsterile areas, failure to observe proper hand hygiene measures, and use of traditional hijab face covers (used in an unsterile environment as well) instead of surgical masks. These findings demonstrate the advantage of combining VRE with qualitative and quantitative methodology to deduct the lapses in the practice of infection control among healthcare workers. Conclusions: Introduction of training programs focused on HAI and infection control measures in the educational system will help better inform medical and nursing students. Live video demonstrations of appropriate infection control practices during sterile procedures would be highly beneficial to educate the healthcare workers on correct infection control practices. Lapses in the use of PPE can be a possible reason for the outbreak of MERS-CoV, an endemic disease, in this part of Saudi Arabia.Disclosures: NoneFunding: None

Healthcare workers\u2019 perspectives on healthcare-associated infections and infection control practices: a video-reflexive ethnography study in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia

BackgroundHealthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a global public health problem. For the fulfillment of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the promotion of preventive care medicine through HAI management is a crucial issue. This study explores the perspectives of Saudi tertiary healthcare workers (HCWs) on HAIs and infection control measures.MethodsQuantitative data were assessed to determine HCWs’ knowledge of HAI and their attitudes towards and practice of infection control measures. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect qualitative data from 40 doctors and nurses. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Further, routine sterile procedures in the wards and intensive care units were video recorded, and the footage was discussed by the infection control team and the personnel involved in the videos. This discussion was videographed and transcribed. Both interview data and reflective discussion of the video were analysed using thematic analysis. The quantitative data were analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis test and logistic regression analysis.ResultsKruskal–Wallis test revealed no difference in mean knowledge, attitude, or practice scores between nurses/ doctors or the genders. There was a significant difference in knowledge score and practice scores between the Intensive care unit & the Paediatric ward /infection control department with the maximum scores in knowledge and practice among participants from the intensive care unit. Logistic regression analysis for dependent variables (knowledge and attitude) and independent variables like age, gender, designation, and departments was not significant. The qualitative data yielded four themes: knowledge of HAI and infection control, infection control measures in practice, a shortfall in infection control measures and HAI, and required implementation. Video-reflexive ethnography (VRE) revealed lapses in handwashing practice and proper usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), especially surgical masks.ConclusionEarly introduction of training programmes in medical and nursing schools and video demonstrations of appropriate infection control practices during sterile procedures would be highly beneficial to HCWs. A possible reason for the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus in this part of Saudi Arabia could be a lapse in PPE usage. Intensive training programs for all the HCWs, strict vigilant protocols, and a willingness to change behaviour and practice, will significantly benefit the spread of outbreaks.

Knowledge and practices about sterilization and disinfection.

Aims:The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge and practices employed for infection control in dental laboratories.Materials and Methods:A preformed questionnaire comprised of 16 questions related to infection control measures was prepared. This questionnaire based survey was then conducted among dental technicians of 60 dental colleges in East India. Data were then recorded and analyzed.Results:Majority of impressions/prosthesis were carried in plastic bags (93.8%) by laboratory attendants to the laboratory. The responses revealed that majority of impressions were received after wearing gloves (54.6%) from dental attendant. Majority of dental technicians (78.1%) admitted in their responses that they are not aware of infection control measures taken in dental laboratory. Only 32.8% technicians were found to practice disinfection procedure after receiving impression/prosthesis in laboratory from dental operatory. Among protective wears, 70.3%, 95.3%, 32.8%, and 92.2% technicians were found to use gloves, Apron, eye shield, and face mask, respectively. Among all respondents, 59.3% were found to be vaccinated for hepatitis B vaccine.Conclusion:There is lack of knowledge and motivation among dental technician to practice infection control measures in dental laboratories of dental institutes in North India.

Community- and Healthcare-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains: An Investigation Into Household Transmission, Risk Factors, and Environmental Contamination.

OBJECTIVE To measure transmission frequencies and risk factors for household acquisition of community-associated and healthcare-associated (HA-) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). DESIGN Prospective cohort study from October 4, 2008, through December 3, 2012. SETTING Seven acute care hospitals in or near Toronto, Canada. PARTICIPANTS Total of 99 MRSA-colonized or MRSA-infected case patients and 183 household contacts. METHODS Baseline interviews were conducted, and surveillance cultures were collected monthly for 3 months from household members, pets, and 8 prespecified high-use environmental locations. Isolates underwent pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec typing. RESULTS Overall, of 183 household contacts 89 (49%) were MRSA colonized, with 56 (31%) detected at baseline. MRSA transmission from index case to contacts negative at baseline occurred in 27 (40%) of 68 followed-up households. Strains were identical within households. The transmission risk for HA-MRSA was 39% compared with 40% (P=.95) for community-associated MRSA. HA-MRSA index cases were more likely to be older and not practice infection control measures (P=.002-.03). Household acquisition risk factors included requiring assistance and sharing bath towels (P=.001-.03). Environmental contamination was identified in 78 (79%) of 99 households and was more common in HA-MRSA households. CONCLUSION Household transmission of community-associated and HA-MRSA strains was common and the difference in transmission risk was not statistically significant. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;1-7.

Hospital-acquired infections - when are hospitals legally liable?

Hospital-acquired infections (nosocomial infections) are acquired in healthcare settings by patients admitted for reasons unrelated to the infection or not previously infected when admitted to the facility. Liability for hospital-acquired infections depends on whether the hospital: (i) has introduced best practice infection control measures; (ii) has implemented best practice infection control measures; or (iii) will be vicariously liable for negligent or intentional failures by staff to comply with the infection control measures implemented. A hospital and hospital administrators may be held directly liable for not introducing or implementing best practice infection control measures, resulting in harm to patients. The hospital may also be held vicariously liable where patients have been harmed because hospital staff negligently or intentionally failed to comply with the infection control measures that have been implemented by the hospital, during the course and scope of their employment.

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage among health care workers in a Nepal Hospital

The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases 2009;13(5):322. © 2009 by The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Contexto Publishing. All rights reserved. Humans are natural reservoir for Staphylococcus aureus and the common site of colonization for Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the anterior nares. MRSA strains may be introduced by colonized hospital personnel and serve as the major reservoir of MRSA [1]. Colonized healthcare workers (HCWs) transfer such strains to patients or they transfer the organisms from one patient to another by their hands leading to epidemics in chronic care facilities [2]. Transient colonization has been documented up to 50% among the HCWs [3]. However, long term MRSA colonization among HCWs is not frequent ( 0.05) and was 30% among nursing students and 22.22% among nursing staff. Among doctors, the carriage was higher 28.57% among males compared to females 11.11%. Carriage was high 47.3% among female attendants as compared to (25%) among male attendants (p>0.05). The increasing trend of nasal carriage was observed with increase in age (p>0.05). More than 50% carriage rate was found in HCWs serving in post operative wards. Probably due to the antimicrobial selection pressure MRSA spreads more easily than methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). Nasal MRSA colonization carries a significantly greater risk of infection than MSSA [5] and increases the risk of infection by 4 fold [8]. Therefore, for the sake of the HCWs themselves and for limiting staphylococcal nosocomial infections, S. aureus nasal carrier healthcare workers should be identified and trained to practice infection control measures. HCWs who acquire MRSA in hospital transmit the organism to their household eventually spreading such nosocomially acquired multidrug resistant bacteria in the community. Therefore, such carriage study should be conducted at a regular basis in all health sectors followed by the treatment of the identified carriers.

A general practice perspective of pandemic influenza

During an influenza pandemic, general practice will inevitably be involved at the front line; however, the nature of the role is likely to vary between jurisdictions and between metropolitan and rural locations. While most of the plans for general practice are still in evolution, measures that general practices can take to prepare for a pandemic include: reviewing the practice's infection control measures; ensuring all at-risk patients are immunised against seasonal influenza and pneumococcus; routinely advising all patients with viral upper respiratory tract infections on infection control techniques; connecting the practice to broadband Internet to aid communication; employing a practice nurse; and appointing a practice pandemic coordinator. General practices should start their preparations now.