American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Dec 2018
Risk of self-contamination during doffing of personal protective equipment.
PPE doffing carries significant risk for self-contamination. Assisted doffing likely reduces this risk.
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Am J Infect Control · Aug 2020
ReviewThe impact of novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers in hospitals: An aerial overview.
The ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, places healthcare workers at an increased risk of infection as they are in close contact with patients. In this article, we report an overview of cases of infected healthcare workers in China and Italy during the early periods of the COVID-19 epidemic. China's coronavirus response highlights the importance of implementing effective public health strategies. The authorities worldwide therefore, need to be extremely cautious when they implement stringent protective measures that safeguard healthcare workers in hospitals and counteract the threats created by the pandemic.
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Am J Infect Control · Oct 2021
Review Meta AnalysisIntention to COVID-19 vaccination and associated factors among health care workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies.
To gain insight into willingness and its influencing factors to vaccinate against COVID-19 among health care workers (HCWs), and provide a scientific basis for more reasonable epidemic prevention and control strategies. ⋯ COVID-19 vaccination acceptance of HCWs was at moderate level. Strengthening awareness of COVID-19 vaccine among HCWs, particularly female HCWs under 30 years who have no history of prior influenza vaccination, is crucial to eliminate concerns about vaccination and promote the application of COVID-19 vaccine in this population.
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Am J Infect Control · Jun 2021
ReviewSafety in the practice of decontaminating filtering facepiece respirators: A systematic review.
Considering the new SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the potential scarcity of material resources, the reuse of personal protective equipment such as filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) for N95 filtering or higher is being discussed, mainly regarding the effectiveness and safety of cleaning, disinfection and sterilization processes. ⋯ There is a complex relationship between the FFR raw materials and the cycle conditions of the decontamination methods, evidencing the need for validating FFRs by models and manufacturers, as well as the process. Some methods may require additional tests to demonstrate the safety of FFRs for use due to toxicity.
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Am J Infect Control · Jun 2021
Availability and Crisis Standards of Care for Personal Protective Equipment During Fall 2020 of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Study by the APIC COVID-19 Task Force.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages in spring 2020, necessitating crisis protocols. ⋯ Although most health care facilities had adequate PPE in fall 2020, PPE supply chains were still disrupted, resulting in the need to reuse or decontaminate PPE. Ongoing gaps in PPE access need to be addressed in order to minimize health care associated infections and occupational illness.