Survey Of Infection Control Practices Research Articles

A brief survey of infection control practices in intra oral radiography

Worldwide, reports and experiences indicate that there has been extensive re-organisation within diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy departments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was necessary due to changes in workload and working practice guidelines that have evolved during the pandemic. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiography practice, service delivery and workforce wellbeing.A systematic review methodology was adopted to obtain data from primary studies of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods designs from databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL], and SCOPUS: all 2020 to present). The included articles were subjected to information extraction and results-based convergent synthesis.The electronic database search yielded 10,420 articles after removal of duplicates. Of these, 31 articles met the final inclusion criteria with some (n = 8) fully focussed on radiotherapy workforce and service delivery. The pandemic impact on radiography practice is broadly themed around: training, communication, and information dissemination; infrastructure, technology, and clinical workflow; and workforce mental health and well-being.Globally, most radiographers received inadequate training for managing COVID-19 patients during the initial acute phase of the pandemic. Additionally, there were significant changes to clinical practice, working patterns and perceived increase in workload due to surges in COVID-19 patients and the consequent strict adherence to new infection protocols. These changes, coupled with fear emanating from the increased risk of the workforce to contracting the infection, contributed to anxiety and workplace-related stress during the pandemic.Local pandemic response strategies must be appropriately developed from standard protocols in readiness for safe clinical practice and well-being management training of practitioners.

Predictors of use of infection control precautions for multiresistant gram-negative bacilli in Australian hospitals: Analysis of a national survey

Despite the global expansion of extended spectrum β-lactamase-harboring Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), only limited research on the infection control management of patients with these organisms is available. We present a national survey of infection control practices amongst adult acute-care hospitals in Australia, for ESBL-E, CRE, and the emerging threat of patients with overseas health care contact. In total, 97 health services responded, representing 9% of all eligible hospitals. The proportion of hospitals that reported use of contact precautions (CP) was 96% (93 out of 97) for ESBL-E, 81% (79 out of 97) for CRE, and 72% (48 out of 67) for patients transferred from an international hospital. For ESBL-E hospitals frequently employed risk-stratification to limit the use of CP (40 out of 97; 41%). On multivariate analysis predictors of a strategy to limit use of CP for ESBL-E were government funding (odds ratio, 4.8; P = .003) and a metropolitan location (odds ratio, 3.2; P = .014); predictors of any use of CP for CRE were location in an Australian state with a specific legislation on CRE (P = .030) and the presence of a written policy on CRE (P = .011). Infection control management of multiresistant gram-negative bacilli varied considerably across the Australian hospitals surveyed. A lower rate of reported CP use for CRE than for ESBL-E was unexpected and indicates a vulnerability in some Australian hospitals. Multivariate analysis revealed various drivers influencing infection control practice in Australia.

Survey of infection control practices in hemodialysis units: preventing vascular access-associated bloodstream infections.

Despite surveillance, the Quebec Healthcare-Associated Infections Surveillance Program saw no improvement in vascular access-associated bloodstream infections in hemodialysis (HD). We aimed to determine the infection control measures recommended and implemented in Quebec's HD units, compliance of local protocols to infection control practice guidelines, and reasons behind the low prevalence of arteriovenous fistulas. An online survey was elaborated on the basis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines. The questionnaire was validated (construct, content, face validity, and reliability) and sent to all HD units in Quebec (n = 40). Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, linear regression, and Poisson regression. Thirty-seven (93%) of 40 HD units participated. Thirty (94%) of the 32 centers where central catheters are inserted have written insertion protocols. Compliance with practice guidelines is good, except for full-body draping during catheter insertion (79%) and ointment use at insertion site (3%). Prevention measures for catheter maintenance are in accordance with guidelines, except for skin disinfection with at least 0.5% chlorhexidine and 70% alcohol (67% compliance) and regular antiseptic ointment use at the insertion site (3%). Before fistula cannulation, skin preparation is suboptimal; forearm hygiene is performed in only 61% of cases. Several factors explain the low rate of fistulas, including patient preference (69%) and lack of surgical resources (39%; P = .01). Improvement in standardization of care according to practice guidelines is necessary. Fistula rate could be increased by improving access to surgical resources and patient education. Strategies are now being elaborated to address these findings.

Bloodstream Infections in Patients Given Treatment With Intravenous Prostanoids

In September 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was notified of cases of gram-negative bloodstream infection (BSI) occurring among outpatients who received an intravenous formulation of the prostanoid treprostinil. An investigation was conducted to determine rates of prostanoid-associated BSI in this patient population and possible risk factors for infection. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who had received intravenous formulations of at least 1 of the 2 approved prostanoids (epoprostenol and treprostinil) from January 1, 2004, through late 2006. Chart reviews were conducted at 2 large centers for pulmonary arterial hypertension, and a survey of infection control practices was conducted at 1 center. A total of 224 patients were given intravenous prostanoid treatment, corresponding to 146,093 treatment-days during the study period. Overall, there were 0.55 cases of BSI and 0.18 cases of BSI due to gram-negative organisms per 1,000 treatment-days. BSI rates were higher for patients who received intravenous treprostinil than for patients who received intravenous epoprostenol (1.13 vs. 0.42 BSIs per 1,000 treatment-days; P < .001), as were rates of BSI due to gram-negative organisms (0.81 vs. 0.04 BSIs per 1,000 treatment-days; P < .001). Adjusted hazard ratios for all BSIs and for BSIs due to gram-negative organisms were higher among patients given treatment with intravenous treprostinil. The survey identified no significant differences in medication-related infection control practices. At 2 centers, BSI due to gram-negative pathogens was more common than previously reported and was more frequent among patients given treatment with intravenous treprostinil than among patients given treatment with intravenous epoprostenol. Whether similar results would be found at other centers for pulmonary arterial hypertension warrants further investigation. This investigation underscores the importance of surveillance and evaluation of healthcare-related adverse events in patients given treatment primarily as outpatients.

Preventing infections in nursing homes: A survey of infection control practices in southeast Michigan

Studies on adherence to infection control policies in nursing homes (NHs) are limited. This pilot study explores the use of various infection control practices and the role of infection control practitioners in southeast Michigan NHs. A 43-item self-administered questionnaire and explanatory cover letter were mailed to 105 licensed NHs in southeast Michigan. A second mailing was sent to the nonresponders 4 weeks later. Significant variability existed in adoption of various infection control measures with respect to time spent in infection control activities (50% of facilities having a full-time infection control practitioner), definitions used in monitoring infections, and immunization rates (influenza: range, 0%-100%; mean, 73.2%; pneumococcal: range, 0%-100%; mean, 38.5%). Although strides have been made in infection control research in NHs, significant variations exist in implementation of infection control methods and guidelines. Future research should focus on identifying barriers to infection control in NHs.

The relationship between hospital infection surveillance and control activities and antibiotic-resistant pathogen rates

Antibiotic-resistant pathogen rates are rising in Canada and the United States with significant health and economic costs. The examination of the relationship of surveillance and control activities in hospitals with rates of nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) may identify strategies for controlling this growing problem. Surveys were sent to infection control programs in hospitals that participated in an earlier survey of infection control practices in Canadian acute care hospitals. One hundred twenty of 145 (82.8%) hospitals responded to the survey. The mean MRSA rate was 2.0 (SD 2.9) per 1000 admissions, the mean CDAD rate was 3.8 (SD 4.3), and the mean VRE rate was 0.4 (SD 1.5). Multiple stepwise regression analysis found that hospitals that reported infection rates by specific risk groups ( r = -0.27, P < .01) and that kept attendance records of infection control teaching activities ( r = -0.23, P < .01) were associated with lower MRSA rates. Multiple stepwise regression analysis found that larger hospitals ( r = 0.25, P < .01) and hospitals at which infection control committees or staff had the direct authority to close a ward or unit to further admissions because of outbreaks ( r = 0.22, P < .05) were associated with higher CDAD rates. Multiple logistic regression analysis found that larger hospitals (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0; P = .003) and teaching hospitals (OR, 3.7 95% CI, 1.2-11.8; P = .02) were associated with the presence of VRE. Hospitals were less likely to have VRE when infection control staff frequently contacted physicians and nurses for reports of new infections (OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3-0.7; P = .02) and there were in-service programs for updating nursing and ancillary staff on current infection control practices (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.7; P = .01). Surveillance and control activities were associated with MRSA and CDAD rates and the presence of VRE. Surveillance and control activities might be especially beneficial in large and teaching hospitals.

A survey of infection control practices in physician offices

A survey of infection control practices in physician offices

Results of a survey of infection control practices for respiratory therapy equipment.

The responses to a comprehensive survey of infection control practices for respiratory therapy equipment, previously published in the Readers' Forum section of Infection Control, are summarized in Tables 1 through 3. Responses were obtained from 205 United States hospitals; 65% were community hospitals and 38% had &lt;500 ventilator days/year. In some cases, the total number of responses exceeded 100% because of practices that required multiple responses.