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PubMed1999

Improving infection control in general practice.

Infection control measures in the health care setting should protect patients and staff from cross-infection. The prevention of harm is an essential part of good medical practice and failure might result in professional misconduct proceedings by the General Medical Council (GMC) and prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work legislation, as well as civil liability. For a health authority, overall responsibility for public health includes arrangements for the control of communicable diseases and infection in hospital and the community (NHS Management Executive, 1993), a function usually led by the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC). This paper describes one district's collaborative approach between public health and GPs to assess and improve local infection control standards.

Communicable Disease Control↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A role for the infection control specialist in child day care?

Infection control services for child care are currently provided through the cooperative efforts of physicians, nurses, and other providers in the private health care sector; public health agencies; and academic-based infectious disease experts. However, the effectiveness of infection control practices is not uniform and varies considerably by locality. One approach to ameliorating these differences may be through the development of an "infection control specialist for child day care". Possible responsibilities for and uses of the infection control specialist in child day care include disease surveillance, outbreak control activities, implementation of primary prevention measures, and facilitation of communication among parents and day care and health providers. There are potential impediments to the development of this role, such as conflicts of interest and difficulties in obtaining adequate funding.

Child↗

PubMed1992

Impact on knowledge and practice of a multiregional long-term care facility infection control training program.

BACKGROUND: Few affordable training opportunities are specifically designed for the long-term care facility infection control practitioner. There is also little evidence of the success of training in improving infection control practices. The Nebraska Infection Control Network developed a 2-day basic skills training program for Midwestern long-term care facility infection control practitioners that was later disseminated to eastern and western training sites. In this study we examined the effectiveness of the training program in terms of trainee knowledge and practice. METHODS: From 1986 to 1990, a total of 17 courses conducted at the three sites were attended by a total of 266 infection control practitioners. Trainees completed a 40-item multiple choice test before and after training to evaluate their knowledge gain. Implementation of eight key infection control practices and time devoted to infection control duties were measured before training and at 3 and 12 months after training. Implementation of infection control practices was also evaluated in a second study, with infection control practitioners randomly assigned to trained and wait-control conditions. RESULTS: Significant increases after training were found at each site for both knowledge and implementation measures. These increases were maintained at 12 months follow-up. Time devoted to infection control duties increased significantly at the midwest and western sites but not at the eastern site. In the second study, significant differences were found between the trained and the wait-control group in use of infection control practices, providing evidence for a causal relationship between training and increased use of practices. CONCLUSIONS: The training program was effective in producing improvements in knowledge and implementation of recommended infection control practices in long-term care facilities. These improvements were consistent across three diverse geographic areas. There were some specific geographic differences.

California↗

PubMed1990

Evaluating the efficacy of the infection control liaison nurse in the hospital.

The infection control liaison nurse (ICLN) is a nurse in the ward, appointed to participate in education for infection control, and to liaise between the ward and the infection control nurse (ICN). The efficacy of ICLNs was evaluated when a guideline on urinary catheter care was introduced in a 1000-bed hospital in Hong Kong. The 27 public wards were divided randomly into a test (24 wards) and control group (three wards), and ICLNs were appointed in the test group by the nursing administration. For education, the ICN conducted in-service lectures for both groups, while in the test group, the ICLNs also conducted tutorials for all ward nurses. Before and after the education programme, prevalence surveys were conducted to detect incorrect practices on urinary catheter care. Three practices were evaluated: the securing of catheters, presence of kinking and the use of urinary bags with a drainage spigot. Before education, the percentage of incorrect practices in the test groups was 63%, which was comparable to the 68% of the control group (P = 0.40, chi 2 = 0.71). After education, the percentage of incorrect practices in the test group (36%) was significantly lower than the 48% in the control group (P less than 0.05, chi 2 = 4.25). This indicates that ICLNs can indeed enhance the education programme for infection control.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

PubMed2005

[Medical technologist as a member of infection control team].

For the prevention of infection at institutions, an Anti-nosocomial Infection Committee or an Infection Control Team (ICT) is organized at each institution according to its scale. We report the present status of the ICT managed mainly by medical technologists engaged in microbiological examination (certified medical microbiological technologists) at Dokkyo University School of Medicine. Since this hospital is an educational hospital, the department of clinical laboratory medicine cooperates with the microbiological laboratory of the clinical laboratory in infection control education of medical workers (such as medical students, nursing students, physicians and nurses) in infection diagnosis, infection control/infection management. Since infection control is achieved by improvement in hygiene knowledge and its practice in all citizens, we also attached importance to publicity activities associated with microbiology for patients, their families, and all medical workers.

Cross Infection↗

PubMed2002

Infection control in Saudi Arabia: meeting the challenge.

Hospital-acquired infection poses significant clinical and economic burden worldwide. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, infection control is a young, rapidly growing specialty. An infrastructure to expedite the growth of this important discipline is fast being established. The kingdom faces unique challenges when addressing infection control, which are the subject of this review. Much of the policy-making in domestic infection control is driven by the preventive medicine concerns of the annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, which are unparalleled. The Saudi Ministry of Health acts to contain and control public health risks at this gathering of 2 million. Infectious hazards at the Hajj include meningococcal meningitis, respiratory tract infections, bloodborne diseases, and zoonotic diseases, all of which have international ramifications as pilgrimaging Muslims return home. In the wake of the extraordinary pace of modernization in Saudi Arabia, deficiencies in infection control remain, which are slowly being redressed. This review examines the anatomy of infection control and its evolution in the kingdom. Future goals and infection control policy-making are given particular emphasis. Saudi Arabia seeks increasing international partnership in the area of infection control and preventive medicine. The Saudi health care system was formed on the basis of Western models to resounding success. Saudi Arabia is now in a position to provide experience and knowledge in return. International dialogue in the infection control arena is of mutual value. Important public health progress is afoot in this young kingdom, and these advances translate both regionally and on the international platform.

Anniversaries and Special Events↗

PubMed2001

The organization of infection control in Belgium.

The authors describe the organization of infection control in Belgium with respect to official regulations, the tasks and the training of the infection control doctor and of the infection control nurse, functioning of the infection control committee, the financing and the availability of guidelines.

Belgium↗

PubMed2006

Mathematical modelling: a tool for hospital infection control.

Health-care-associated infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens have become a menace in hospitals worldwide and infection control measures have lead to vastly different outcomes in different countries. During the past 6 years, a theoretical framework based on mathematical models has emerged that provides solid and testable hypotheses and opens the road to a quantitative assessment of the main obstructions that undermine current efforts to control the spread of health-care-associated infections in hospitals and communities. We aim to explain to a broader audience of professionals in health care, infection control, and health systems administration some of these models that can improve the understanding of the hidden dynamics of health-care-associated infections. We also appraise their usefulness and limitations as an innovative research and decision tool for control purposes.

Cross Infection↗

PubMed2006

Measurement of infection control department performance: state of the science.

BACKGROUND: The Study of the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control (SENIC) conducted in 1975-1976 is the gold standard for judging the resource needs of infection control departments; however, the scope of responsibilities of infection control and the patient populations served have changed dramatically over the last 30 years. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this paper is to explore the state of the science for performance measurement of infection control departments. METHODS: A search of English language literature was conducted using the PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL databases. The terms "infection control" and "department" along with the words "performance," "measurement," "staffing," "effectiveness," and "requirements" were used to search for relevant articles. Reference lists of selected articles were also searched for other papers of interest. RESULTS: Twelve articles were deemed relevant to infection control department performance since the SENIC study. These fell into four main categories: time management studies, expert opinion, outcome studies, and reports about international infection control departments. CONCLUSION: The SENIC study remains the most thorough assessment of the relationship between infection control department activities and patient outcomes. However, the scope of infection control practice has broadened, and the health care delivery system has changed dramatically since that study was performed. Few new studies have assessed infection control department performance and its relationship to patient outcomes, compliance with accepted standards of patient care, or cost of care. A current assessment of infection control department resources, functions and scope of responsibility linked to patient outcomes and cost is needed to give health care institutions a relevant benchmark for infection control resource needs and the return to be expected from that investment.

Cross Infection↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Introducing high quality infection control in a hospital setting.

Hospital infection is a quality issue and as such has become an important topic in the current health care debate. Quality assurance and resource management are becoming integral to the measurement of nursing standards in clinical practice. Quality assurance is, in many ways, inseparable from effective infection control. This article outlines the development of such a high profile demonstration unit named Quality Infection Control (QIC) and discusses its strengths and weaknesses.

Hospitals↗

PubMed2006

[The role of infection control in the prevention of postoperative endophthalmitis].

INTRODUCTION: Infection control programs play an important role in the fight against nosocomial infections. They include all written protocols used and practical procedures performed before, during and after surgery. The authors describe the role of infection control in the prevention of postoperative endophthalmitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective data of endophthalmitis cases following elective eye penetrating surgeries performed at the Departments of Ophthalmology of the University of Debrecen and of the Hajdú-Bihar County Hospital in the periods between 1997-2001 and 2002-2003 were evaluated. Infection control methods for prevention have been in use in both institutes since 2002. RESULTS: The incidences of postoperative endophthalmitis before and after 2002 were 0.09 % and 0.07 %, respectively. Endophthalmitis cases in both periods occurred sporadically. Between 1997 and 2001 women accounted for 63.6 %, while they made up 80 % between 2002 and 2003; In the first period 63.6 % were older than 60 years whereas this group made up and 100 % in the second period. During the two periods accompanying chronic systemic diseases also had to be taken into consideration in 80 % and in 63.6 % of the cases, respectively. Intraoperative loss of the vitreous body was present in 27.2 % (1997-2001), and in 20 % (2002-2003) of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find any statistically significant difference between the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis in the two periods. We think, however, that further studies involving more patients and longer study periods will reveal a correlation between the use of infection control methods and the prevention of both sporadic and epidemic cases of endophthalmitis, therefore all available data concerning this problem should be published. Moreover, the introduction of infection control policies into clinical practice will make prevention deliberate and more effective.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Infection control among professional tattooists in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated infection control knowledge, beliefs, and practices of professional tattooists. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of professional tattooists (N = 61), a self-administered questionnaire measured knowledge and beliefs related to blood-borne pathogen transmission and control and self-reported infection control procedures. The study also involved direct observation of the infection control practices of 25 tattoo artists. RESULTS: All respondents believed that bloodborne pathogens could be transmitted via tattooing, and most denied that trouble or expense were barriers to infection control. Knowledge about infection transmission and control was high and was positively associated with learning about infection control from a health official. Subjects were observed implementing an average of 44 of 62 recommended procedures. The percentage of recommended procedures used was negatively associated with years of tattooing experience. CONCLUSIONS: Tattooists have an understanding of the risks associated with exposure to blood, but this knowledge is not fully operationalized in the workplace. Interventions should focus on needle disposal, handwashing, cross-contamination, and cleaning prior to sterilization. Tattooists with > or = 10 years of experience are most in need of intervention. National guidelines for tattooing infection control and strategies for collaboration between public health officials and tattooists are needed.

Blood-Borne Pathogens↗

PubMed1994

Assessment of infection control programs in Maryland skilled-nursing long-term care facilities.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality among residents in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Although infection control programs now exist in many LTCFs in the United States, little has been published regarding the effectiveness of these programs. The 1976 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control (SENIC) established the effectiveness of infection control programs in acute care facilities. However, a limitation of that study was the exclusion of LTCFs. METHODS: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess infection control programs in LTCFs through the use of an Infection Surveillance and Control Questionnaire adapted from SENIC. The sample consisted of 123 skilled-nursing LTCFs in the State of Maryland. The questionnaire was completed by the person responsible for infection control activities in each LTCF. RESULTS: Results of the study show the following: (1) an upward trend in infection control activity in Maryland LTCFs, with the majority having medium activity, and (2) an estimated overall prevalence rate of infection of 4% on the basis of total resident census. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that the Infection Surveillance and Control Questionnaire is a reliable instrument to assess infection control programs in LTCFs. A nationwide study is planned to examine the relationship between infection control activity and the risk of nosocomial infection among skilled-nursing LTCFs throughout the United States.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

APIC position paper: prevention of device-mediated blood-borne infections to health care workers. 1992 Governmental Affairs Committee of the Association for Practitioners in Infection Control, Inc.

The Association for Practitioners in Infection Control, Inc. (APIC) is a multidisciplinary organization of over 9000 health care professionals who practice institutional epidemiology in the form of infection control and quality improvement within a variety of settings. As a national leader in prevention and control of infections, APIC supports efforts to reduce and eliminate device-mediated blood-borne infections.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2006

Infection control matters in home healthcare.

Infection control is pivotal to good nursing care in any setting. This column is dedicated to new developments in infection control that specifically affect home healthcare nursing.

Caregivers↗

PubMed2004

An endodontic perspective of contemporary infection control procedures.

This article reviews infection control procedures from an endodontic-specific perspective and offers comments and recommendations in context with the recently updated CDC Guidelines. Infection control implications for the following topics are reviewed: endodontic diagnosis, nonsurgical treatment, surgical treatment, and educational considerations. In areas of controversy, it is recommended that additional evidenced-based clinical research is needed to support the 2003 CDC Guidelines.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗

PubMed2005

Quality of nosocomial infection control in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: To study the quality of nosocomial infection control with respect to structure and process. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data collection by questionnaire and interview administrators and medical personnel in 57 hospitals in Thailand in 2002. RESULTS: Nosocomial infection control was implemented in all 57 hospitals. In every hospital, there was an infection control committee (ICC) and at least 1 infection control nurse (ICN). The quality of ICNs regarding knowledge, skill and time available for infection control needed to be improved. Surveillance methods of NI were not appropriate in many hospitals. Doctors were not interested in NI control and supply of certain materials was not adequate. Lack of support and co-operation of doctors and nurses was found. Service of certain departments needed to be revised in over 50%. Doctors and nurses not directly involved in NI controlled were not satisfied with current practices. CONCLUSION: Quality of NI control in Thailand has yet to be improved regarding structure and process. Better cooperation between NI control team and healthcare personnel needs to be developed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2001

Infection control practice: global preparedness for future challenges.

The modern infection control profession emerged in the 1960s in England and the US in response to a pandemic of infections in hospitalized patients from a virulent strain of Staphylococcus aureus. The need for better patient care practices to prevent infections in this setting was evident, and the nursing, medical and microbiology professions responded. Both governmental and non-governmental agencies and professional organizations supported their efforts. During the past 3 decades infection control programs and professionals have multiplied and flourished throughout the world. At first, each country worked primarily within its own borders. In recent years collaboration among countries has increased dramatically, especially as related to education and training, research, and publishing. This article describes two examples of these partnerships. In the US, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc (APIC) have joined with the King Fahad National Guard Hospital (KFNGH), a center-of-excellence for infection control in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for educational meetings and infection control certification. The information exchanged and relationships developed through these activities will further efforts of both countries toward meeting infection prevention and control challenges of the future.

Disaster Planning↗