American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · May 2021
Healthcare providers experience of working during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a far-reaching negative impact on healthcare systems worldwide and has placed healthcare providers under immense physiological and psychological pressures. ⋯ Participants experienced a wide range of emotions and development during the unfolding of the pandemic. Providing mental health aid should thus be an essential part of services for healthcare providers during the pandemic. Based on our results the aid should be focused on the various stages and should be individual-centred. Such interventions are crucial to sustain workers in their ability to cope throughout the duration of the pandemic.
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Am J Infect Control · Sep 2020
Containing COVID-19 outside the isolation ward: The impact of an infection control bundle on environmental contamination and transmission in a cohorted general ward.
During an ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, unsuspected cases may be housed outside of dedicated isolation wards. ⋯ Our institution successfully implemented an intervention bundle to mitigate COVID-19 transmission in a multibedded cohorted general ward setting.
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Am J Infect Control · May 2021
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare acquired infections with multidrug resistant organisms.
This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in four community hospitals in Los Angeles County, California. The assumption of this study was, coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) contributed to the increase in healthcare workers compliance with infection prevention measures. IP initiatives fostered among HCWs have increased awareness of effective hand washing, cleaning equipment after use and appropriate personal protective equipment use which has subsequently decreased healthcare acquired infections with multidrug-resistant organisms.
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Am J Infect Control · Dec 2018
Contaminated clothing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers is a potential source of transmission.
We examined the burden of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on the clothing of MRSA carriers in a hospital and long-term care facility and assessed the potential for clothing to be a source of transmission. Of 50 MRSA carriers studied, 37 (74%) had MRSA recovered from clothing. For a subset of carriers with clothing contamination, transfer of MRSA from clothing to gloved hands and to a wheelchair occurred in 8 of 13 (62%) and 5 of 10 (50%) carriers, respectively. These findings suggest that measures to reduce clothing contamination should be investigated as a potential means to reduce MRSA transmission in healthcare settings.
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Am J Infect Control · Sep 2020
Disinfection of N95 masks artificially contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 and ESKAPE bacteria using hydrogen peroxide plasma: Impact on the reutilization of disposable devices.
One of the serious consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is the shortage of protective equipment for health personnel. N95 masks are considered one of the essential protective equipment in the management of patients with COVID-19. The shortage of N95 masks implies potential health risks for health personnel and significant economic losses for the health institution. The objective of this work was to investigate the disinfection of N95 masks artificially contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 and ESKAPE bacteria by using hydrogen peroxide plasma. ⋯ Disinfection of N95 masks by using the hydrogen peroxide plasma technology can be an alternative for their reuse in a shortage situation. Implications for the use of disinfection technologies of N95 masks and the safety of health personnel are discussed.