American Journal of Infection Control

BACKGROUND: There is poor self-reported (SR) execution of infection prevention and control (IPC) among physicians and nurses. Self-Leadership is considered as important factor to enhance IPC SR-execution. This study aims to explore the associations between self-leadership and IPC SR-execution among physicians and nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 26252 physicians and nurses was conducted in all secondary and tertiary hospitals in Hubei province, China...

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this process and quality improvement activity was to address opportunities identified with cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization requirements for eye devices, and implement a robust and sustainable processing system to support safe patient care. METHODS: Through Lean Six Sigma methodology the evaluation of non-critical, semi-critical and critical device processing was conducted. A hierarchal approach to law, regulation, manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU), evidence-based guidelines, consensus documents, facility risk assessments, policy, and procedure was conducted...

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacts youth and young adults (YYA) and YYA with multiple marginalized identities, yet little is known about differences in uptake, testing access and vaccine concerns among YYA by diverse demographic identities. METHODS: Between 2/2021 and 2/2022, we conducted a national, cross-sectional online survey focused on diverse YYA ages 14-24 (n = 983). We explored the prevalence of COVID-19 testing and vaccination among YYA by age, race/ethnicity, and sexual and gender identities...

BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene (HH) is challenging in healthcare, but particularly in resource-limited settings due to lack of training, resources and infrastructure. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of wall-mounted alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) at the point of care (POC) on HH compliance among healthcare workers in a Cameroon hospital. METHODS: It was a three-stage before and after study. First stage involved baseline collection of ABHR utilisation and HH compliance data...

BACKGROUND: Global rise in antibiotics utilization has been strongly associated with the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. The COVID-19 saw an increase in the use of antibiotics in some countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate antibiotics utilization from 2006 to 2021 in the Republic of Serbia. METHODS: Data on antibiotic use were retrieved from the national annual reports on the official website of the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia (ALIMS) during the period 2006-2021...

OBJECTIVE: SARS-CoV-2, a respiratory viral disease, is thought to have a more severe course in patients with malignancy and low immune systems. METHODS: This prospective single-center study was conducted at the University of Health Sciences Dr. Behçet Uz Children's Hospital from September 22 and December 31, 2021. Asymptomatic COVID-19 transmission rates were assessed using SARS-CoV-2 serology in patients with leukemia who had no history of COVID-19 infection...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: Recent epidemics and pandemics highlighted the need for effective personal protective equipment, including isolation gowns. The most critical property for an isolation gown is its ability to keep liquids and viruses from passing through the gown. Liquid and viral barrier penetration can be measured using laboratory test methods. AAMI PB70 standard defines isolation gown barrier performance levels and requirements. OBJECTIVE: Twenty two disposable isolation gown models from six manufacturers were tested for liquid and viral penetration resistance...

The Delta pandemic wave saw increased maternal morbidity and mortality compared to prior viral strains. COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy elicits detectable levels of neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Wild Type and SARS-CoV-2 Delta variants in both maternal and neonatal samples at delivery. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of vaccination which confers an immunological response against newer, and potentially more dangerous, viral variants.

BACKGROUND: Infection Preventionists (IPs) work and practice in a variety of roles across many practice settings. While the healthcare-based IP role has been well studied, less is known about IPs who work in public health, consultant, and academic roles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was collected as a subset of the Association for Professionals in Infection Prevention and Control and Epidemiology 2020 MegaSurvey. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed to compare responses of 147 IPs working in public health, consulting, or academic roles...

BACKGROUND: Several international organizations have outlined the components of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programs. To successfully implement an IPC program, hospital staff may adopt a manual that provides support for implementing the IPC measures, even requiring significant efforts. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify essential aspects and to develop a standardized structure for an IPC manual. The IPC manual framework can be customized and utilized by any healthcare facility, thereby facilitating adherence to international and national legislation...

The complexity and risks of long-term care (LTC) resident care have continued to increase, including infection risk as regulatory agencies and the LTC industry seek credible and knowledgeable infection preventionist for their facilities. Developing a LTC infection prevention and control certification exam indicates infection preventionists (IPs) can proficiently manage infection prevention and control programs.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on gram-negative bacteria (GNB) non-susceptibility to antibiotics is unclear. METHODS: Between 01/01/2010 and 31/12/2021, the respiratory samples of ICU patients at three University Hospitals in Brussels were retrieved. Based on the non-susceptibility to antimicrobial classes, drug resistance patterns were defined as multi drug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and pan drug-resistant (PDR)...

In the decade since the largest Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in history, hospitals within the United States have discovered deficiencies in EVD infection control protocols. A large academic level one trauma medical center and frontline EVD receiving hospital in northeast Florida conducted a large-scale review and revision of the facility's EVD infection control protocols to increase preparedness. The revision process revealed opportunities for improvement and highlighted the need for excellent resource management and interdepartmental communication...

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), pose significant challenges to patient safety. Candida auris (C. auris), an emerging MDRO fungus, has been acknowledged as an urgent threat by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) due to its high mortality and difficulty in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of 254 nm ultraviolet-C light (UV-C) in inactivating C. auris on hard surfaces. A mobile UV-C tower equipped with high-performance bulbs was used, and within 7 minutes of continuous exposure, ≥ 99...

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.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted quality of care and patient safety. This study aimed to describe registered nurses' (RNs) perceptions on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their ability to adhere to patient safety protocols using Donabedian's Healthcare Quality model. METHODS: In October 2020, a survey was conducted among all actively licensed RNs in NJ who provided direct patient care during the first peak of COVID-19. RESULTS: Of 3,027 participants, 68% reported that the number of patients assigned impacted their ability to adhere to protocols...

BACKGROUND: UTI recurrence is important in immunocompromised patients. There is a trend to study genotypically and phenotypically the role of certain virulence factors of Escherichia coli in the diagnosis of recurrent UTI. The main objective of this study was to determine if there is an association between phenotypic characteristics of E. coli and UTI recurrence in immunocompromised patients. METHODS: A case-control study was performed on immunocompromised patients from Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad del Bajío, Mexico...

To provide a safe environment, behavioral health settings must adhere to "ligature-resistant" protocols for patients at risk of harm to themselves or others. However, certain bathroom ligature-resistant fixtures alter environmental controls, such as sinks and showerheads, and increase the risk of water-borne pathogens due to low water output settings, highlighting the importance of an interdisciplinary water management program. We describe how ligature-resistant water fixtures may have been associated with a possible case of hospital-associated Legionellosis...