Infection Disease & Health最新文献

{"title":"Haemodialysis machine designation for patients with chronic Hepatitis B virus: A practice and attitudes survey of Australian renal healthcare workers","authors":"Sarah Russo ,&nbsp;Jill Telfer ,&nbsp;Carla Silva ,&nbsp;Eliza Daly ,&nbsp;Sarah Browning","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2024.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2024.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>To reduce the risk of viral transmission, guidelines recommend the use of designated haemodialysis machines and patient isolation for patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV). These practices are without a strong evidence base, and may no longer be necessary in the setting of heat disinfection programs and standard precautions.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>An online cross-sectional survey was developed for renal clinicians across Australia and New Zealand to explore infection prevention policy concerning patients with chronic HBV in haemodialysis units. We sought to determine whether psychosocial and cultural impacts might result from the mandatory use of machine designation and patient isolation practices, as perceived by multidisciplinary healthcare workers with experience working with this patient population.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Sixty-seven responses from 27 health districts across all states of Australia and one New Zealand district were received. Most respondents were from urban areas (65%), and were nurses (87%). 50% of health districts reported using designated machines, while 32% isolate patients. Lack of necessary resources limited the use of designated machines (57%), and patient isolation (78%). Respondents not routinely using these precautions were more likely to express concerns regarding patient psychosocial wellbeing and cultural appropriateness. Overall, 30% of respondents expressed concerns regarding the cultural appropriateness of these recommendations.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>We demonstrate wide variation in haemodialysis infection prevention and control policy and practice with regards to managing patients with chronic HBV. While use of standard precautions and machine disinfection are consistently applied, resource availability and concerns for patient psychosocial wellbeing limit adherence to international guidelines.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"29 2","pages":"Pages 107-111"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246804512400004X/pdfft?md5=61394b4ab9f1f173c0d11bb2fc884b8e&pid=1-s2.0-S246804512400004X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140133651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Post implementation quarantine recommendations that support preparedness: A systematic review and quarantine implementation capability framework","authors":"Matiu Bush ,&nbsp;Catherine M. Bennett ,&nbsp;Ana Hutchinson ,&nbsp;Stéphane L. Bouchoucha","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2024.02.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2024.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>During COVID-19, countries utilised various quarantine systems to achieve specific outcomes. At different stages and durations, voluntary and mandatory quarantine occurred in homes, hotels and facilities based on local and national elimination strategies. Countries are incorporating quarantine lessons from COVID-19 into revising pandemic plans as part of the World Health Organization's Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) activities. This review aimed to amalgamate quarantine post implementation recommendations from a whole-of-system perspective.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This review utilised MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, APA, and PsycINFO. To capture all pandemics, no date restriction was applied. Recommendations were synthesised and inductively grouped into quarantine capability categories. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023420765).</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>A total of 449 published articles were screened, with 51 articles included and 156 recommendations extracted. Recommendations were grouped into 15 quarantine capability categories, comprising governance, preparation, infection prevention and control, ventilation, compliance, data, information and technology, safety-quality-risk, communication, healthcare model, home quarantine, hotel quarantine, facility quarantine, workforce, and resident considerations. The capability categories were further consolidated into strategic, structural, and operational domains to support the whole-of-system perspective.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The quarantine implementation capability framework generated provides comprehensive and deeper insights into the essential capabilities required for quarantine systems to support governments in PRET activities, including reviewing and revising pandemic plans and developing quarantine preparedness exercises.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"29 3","pages":"Pages 152-171"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468045124000051/pdfft?md5=e086b586fdc3b84af927fdd6f3c788be&pid=1-s2.0-S2468045124000051-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140112531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Awareness and attitudes towards infectious diseases among teachers and administrators: Evaluation of health-related school program and practices","authors":"Kaan Aksun ,&nbsp;Veysel Alcan","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2024.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2024.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Schools play a crucial role in promoting health education and awareness about infectious diseases. This study aims to examine teachers' and administrators' awareness and attitudes towards infectious diseases and their specific health-related applications.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This study used a new scale to collect survey data from 435 teachers and administrators. The validity and reliability of the scale were assessed by factor analysis. Pearson correlation and regression analysis were conducted to explore the relationships between variables. T-tests and one-way ANOVA were employed for group comparisons.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The findings revealed a concerning skepticism among a significant portion of participants towards the effectiveness of vaccines in ending epidemics and a lack of health education activities in schools. Significant differences were observed in the scores for physical measures, educational activities, awareness, observation, and attitudes based on school type and ownership of certificates (p ≤ 0.05).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>This study highlights the need for continuous education and awareness-raising efforts to develop sustainable school health practices. Integrating diverse health professionals into school health management teams can enhance health services in educational settings. The present study also emphasizes the importance of comprehensive health education in understanding infectious diseases, preventive measures, and proper hygiene practices.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"29 2","pages":"Pages 91-106"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140066391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Promoting knowledge and capacity building on infection prevention and control, including hand hygiene, among health and care workers","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2024.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2024.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"29 2","pages":"Pages 114-115"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468045124000026/pdfft?md5=d460523444bca5b9b655eb4c37047b5a&pid=1-s2.0-S2468045124000026-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139967094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the efficacy of latex gloves in preventing viral infections during needlestick injuries: An in vitro mixed-methods study","authors":"Marinila Buzanelo Machado ,&nbsp;Viviane de Cássia Oliveira ,&nbsp;Pedro Castania Amadio Domingues ,&nbsp;Rachel Maciel Monteiro ,&nbsp;André Pereira dos Santos ,&nbsp;Lucas Lazarini Bim ,&nbsp;Denise de Andrade ,&nbsp;Evandro Watanabe","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2023.10.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2023.10.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Gloves are personal protective equipment designed to prevent contamination and reduce the spread of microorganisms. This study aimed to assess <em>in vitro</em> the physical integrity of latex gloves and the retention of biological contamination in healthcare simulation.</p></div><div><h3>Method</h3><p>Three different batches of latex procedure gloves from five different brands and specific batches were evaluated before use for physical integrity by the standard protocols of the Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and of the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Moreover, the retention of biological contamination by latex procedure gloves in needlestick injury simulation with crystal violet and bacteriophages were applied in order to mimic human blood and virus presence.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Brands D and C showed the best and worst results in the immediate inspections and after 2 min, respectively. For Brand C, damage occurred in one finger/region in a total of 12 gloves, while seven gloves were damaged/unable to be worn. Brand D presented only two gloves with tears and/or holes in one finger/region. Regarding the viral contamination, in a simulated needlestick injury, data showed no significant difference among the groups.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>All glove brands presented physical damage that might affect the spread of microorganisms. The gloves did not exert an additional protective effect during a needlestick injury simulation in accordance with the two techniques used in this study.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"29 2","pages":"Pages 65-72"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139898382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"SARS-CoV-2 self-testing: Handle with care","authors":"Giuseppe Lippi","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2023.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2023.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"29 2","pages":"Pages 112-113"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139716760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Regulating antimicrobial use within hospitals: A qualitative study","authors":"Jennifer Broom ,&nbsp;Alex Broom ,&nbsp;Katherine Kenny ,&nbsp;Pamela Konecny ,&nbsp;Jeffrey J. Post","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2023.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2023.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>To examine how regulatory structures and processes focused on antimicrobial stewardship and antimicrobial resistance are experienced by hospital managers and clinicians.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Forty-two hospital managers and clinicians working within accreditation and antimicrobial stewardship teams in three Australian hospitals participated in individual in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was performed.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Thematic analysis revealed participants’ experiences of hospital antimicrobial regulation and their perceptions of what would be required for meaningful antimicrobial optimisation.</p><p><strong>Theme 1: Experience of regulation of antimicrobials within hospitals:</strong> Participants described an increased profile of antimicrobial resistance with inclusion in regulatory requirements, but also the risks of bureaucratic manoeuvring to meet standards rather than governance-inducing systemic changes.</p><p><strong>Theme 2: Growth of accreditation processes and hospitals over time:</strong> Both regulatory requirements and hospitals were described as evolving over time, each manoeuvring in response to each other (e.g. development of short notice accreditation).</p><p><strong>Theme 3: Perceived requirements for change:</strong> Participants perceived a need for top-down buy-in, resource prioritisation, complex understanding of power and influence on clinician behaviour, and a critical need for medical engagement.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>This study around antimicrobials shows the tension and dynamic relationship between regulatory processes and hospital responses, bringing to light the enduring balance of a system that positions itself to meet regulatory requirements and emerging “demands”, without necessarily addressing the key underlying concerns. Antimicrobial resistance-related solutions are perceived as likely to require further resourcing and buy-in across multiple levels, engagement across professional streams and require strategies that consider complex systems change in order for regulatory structures to have potency.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"29 2","pages":"Pages 81-90"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468045123001128/pdfft?md5=aee2bfbb28291422ffebf148af8d687c&pid=1-s2.0-S2468045123001128-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139433197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Are self-test kits still relevant post COVID-19 pandemic? Qualitative study on working adults' perceptions","authors":"Gladys Yu Lin Lee ,&nbsp;Raymond Boon Tar Lim","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2023.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2023.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Other than self-isolation measures, self-testing is likely to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and may become a valuable approach in future outbreaks of infectious diseases. This study delves into the perceptions and experiences of working adults who utilised COVID-19 self-test kits in Singapore during the post-pandemic period.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Employing a qualitative descriptive design, in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 working adults from diverse occupations, with a median age of 35 years. Thematic analysis of transcribed interviews was carried out by two independent qualitative research-trained researchers.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p><span>Facilitators included personal motivations like safeguarding vulnerable individuals and the convenience of user-friendly self-test kits. Proximal environmental factors encompassed situations involving close contacts and large gatherings, while distal factors involved workplace regulations, </span>public health campaigns, mass media influence, and trust in authorised kits. Nonetheless, barriers include discomfort, cost, uncertainty about proper technique, and evolving testing requirements. Positive test results prompted participants to notify contacts and self-isolate, whereas negative results encouraged a return to normalcy. Participants recommend sustained testing for new variants and vulnerable groups, though some view it as unnecessary due to pandemic normalisation.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Self-testing emerged as a social phenomenon influenced by societal obligations and relationships across multiple levels. Effective communication strategies may play a role in fostering trust and ensuring that working adults sustain the practice of self-testing; therefore, further research is needed to explore their potential impact. Such efforts could be valuable for maintaining vigilance and achieving effective disease control in the post-COVID-19 pandemic landscape.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"29 2","pages":"Pages 73-80"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2023-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138483629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"To swab or not to swab? A qualitative study of pathology testing, interpretation, and value in diabetes-related foot ulceration","authors":"Jennifer Broom ,&nbsp;Leah Williams Veazey ,&nbsp;Alex Broom ,&nbsp;Lijie Kee ,&nbsp;Keat Choong","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2023.10.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2023.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Diagnostic testing has been proposed as a key strategy to tackle escalating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, effectiveness of testing is limited by the complexities of the hospital environment, including human factors.</p></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>To examine swab-testing in diabetes-related foot infections as a case study of the factors impacting microbiology testing use, efficacy, and antimicrobial resistance.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Seventeen clinicians involved in the management of diabetes-related foot infections, including podiatrists, nurses, and doctors, participated in in-depth individual interviews conducted by a qualitative researcher on the investigation and management of diabetes-related foot infections. Thematic analysis was performed.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The multilayered and evolving features of the human-diagnostic interface were described by participants as potential barriers to effective swab-testing in clinical care, including diagnostic training and interpretation deficits; communication difficulties; interpretation deficits and diagnostic assumptions; the influence of inter-professional dynamics; and flow-on consequences for patient decisions and care.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Swab-testing has been used for over 100 years, and yet there remain substantial factors that limit their effective use in clinical practice as demonstrated by this study. A focus on upscaling diagnostic testing, particularly with escalating AMR, without considering complex implementation and human factors is likely to have limited impact on practice improvement. This study identified vulnerability points in the human-diagnostic interaction which should be considered in the implementation of other microbiological tests. This study on the simple wound swab has implications for future diagnostic upscaling and investment, including its role in address antimicrobial resistance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"29 1","pages":"Pages 39-50"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2023-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468045123001098/pdfft?md5=b8f82616f88bbe74f25e2706c7f2075a&pid=1-s2.0-S2468045123001098-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138453318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A single plain ring is not associated with increased bacterial load on hands: An experimental study among healthcare worker students undertaking mock surgery","authors":"Eva María Aguiar Cabrera ,&nbsp;Sergio Barroso Rosa ,&nbsp;María del Mar Ojeda Vargas ,&nbsp;Carmen Nieves Hernández Flores ,&nbsp;Elena María Hernández Costa","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2023.10.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2023.10.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Adequate hand hygiene is considered as one of the most effective strategies in healthcare-related infection prevention. The potential negative effect of rings in hand disinfection and thus, in increased nosocomial infections rates is still controversial. Therefore, the present study was designed with the purpose of examining if rings frequently exposed to surgical scrubbing were associated or not with increased bacterial counts.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>32 volunteers were randomized into 4 groups: A (no rings), B (participants wore a ring), C (no rings and performed surgical scrubbing with chlorhexidine every 48 h) and D (participants wore a ring and performed surgical scrubbing every 48 h). Glove juice samples were obtained at day 0 (T0) and after a 90-min mock-surgery on day 14 (T1). Quantitative (number of UFC/mL) and qualitative data (microorganism type) were collected as study variables.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>All groups were comparable at T0. All ring carriers obtained negative cultures at T1. Ring presence was not associated with higher bacterial counts; comparisons between A vs B groups and C vs D groups showed no statistically significant differences (p = 0.076 and 1.000). T1 negative cultures were more frequent in participants performing surgical scrubbing every second day (93.8 % vs 75 %), although this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.332).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The presence of single plain ring does not seem to be associated with an increased hand bacterial load. Regular surgical scrubbing with chlorhexidine impregnated sponges reduces bacterial contamination of hands, even in the presence of plain rings.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"29 1","pages":"Pages 51-60"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2023-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468045123001104/pdfft?md5=84306e1eb755ba10de556991af6ed1b6&pid=1-s2.0-S2468045123001104-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138296865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}