Background: Hand hygiene is the leading measure for preventing the spread of antimicrobial resistance and reducing healthcare-associated infections, but health care worker compliance with optimal practices remains low...Background: Hand hygiene is the leading measure for preventing the spread of antimicrobial resistance and reducing healthcare-associated infections, but health care worker compliance with optimal practices remains low in most settings. Objective: The main aim of this paper is to determine findings and start drafting policies in implementing them into practice after finding out nurses’ opinions, beliefs and attitudes toward hand hygiene (HH). Methodology and methods: A cross sectional descriptive and observational study during November 2009. Results: From the total number of 175 health care workers employed in this unit, 67 (38.3%) were observed regarding adherence to hand hygiene. Regarding the knowledge, practices and attitudes of the nurses, data were collected from 54 (50.0%) among 108 nurses in four intensive care units within the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo (UCCK). From research findings, it was concluded that hand hygiene compliance in the intensive care units was low (51.3%). Conclusion: Research results show the necessity of organizing multimodal programs with intensive care units of University Clinical Centre of Kosovo (UCCK) on increase of knowledge level on health-care associated infections (HAI).展开更多
The prevention and control of catheter line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) have become the key content of medical care and have become the core improvement goal of nursing quality control. However, the pre...The prevention and control of catheter line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) have become the key content of medical care and have become the core improvement goal of nursing quality control. However, the prevention and control status of CLABSI in hospitals of different grades in Guangxi is not clear. In this study, we aim to investigate central venous catheter (CVC) placement and disinfectant use in second and third-level hospitals in Guangxi. This survey was conducted on the second and third-level hospitals in Guangxi, China from 13th April 2021 to 19th April 2021. The results show that a total of 283 questionnaires were collected, including 206 secondary hospitals and 77 tertiary hospitals. In terms of the CVC, tertiary hospitals were able to place CVC entirely under the guidance of B-ultrasound, which was 24 (31.6%) and secondary hospitals were 26 (20.6%). In secondary hospitals, Most CVC placements were performed in operating rooms 94 (74.6%) and 65 (85.5%) on the third level hospital, but 32.5% of secondary hospitals and 48.7% of tertiary hospitals were selected at the bedside of patients in general wards, and 27.8% of the second-level hospital, 43.4% of third-level hospitals was done in general ward treatment rooms, only 61.9% of secondary hospitals and 64.5% of tertiary hospitals could fully achieve the maximum sterile barrier. In terms of skin disinfectants, only 36.0% of tertiary hospitals and 16.4% of second-level CVC-operators chose > 0.5% chlorhexidine alcohol. In conclusion, the prevention and control of catheter line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in Guangxi are not ideal. The prevention and control department should increase training, implement guidelines and standardize management to reduce the incidence of CLABSI.展开更多
Background:The neuropsychiatric disorders due to post-streptococcal autoimmune complications such as Sydenham's chorea(SC)are associated with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease(ARF/RHD).An animal mo...Background:The neuropsychiatric disorders due to post-streptococcal autoimmune complications such as Sydenham's chorea(SC)are associated with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease(ARF/RHD).An animal model that exhibits char-acteristics of both cardiac and neurobehavioral defects in ARF/RHD would be an important adjunct for future studies.Since age,gender,strain differences,and geno-types impact on the development of autoimmunity,we investigated the behavior of male and female Wistar and Lewis rat strains in two age cohorts(6 weeks and 12 weeks)under normal husbandry conditions and following exposure to group A streptococcus(GAS).Methods:Standard behavioral assessments were performed to determine the impair-ments in fine motor control(food manipulation test),gait and balance(beam walk-ing test),and obsessive-compulsive behavior(grooming and marble burying tests).Furthermore,electrocardiography,histology,and behavioral assessments were per-formed on male and female Lewis rats injected with GAS antigens.Results:For control Lewis rats there were no significant age and gender dependent differences in marble burying,food manipulation,beam walking and grooming be-haviors.In contrast significant age-dependent differences were observed in Wistar rats in all the behavioral tests except for food manipulation.Therefore,Lewis rats were selected for further experiments to determine the effect of GAS.After ex-posure to GAS,Lewis rats demonstrated neurobehavioral abnormalities and cardiac pathology akin to SC and ARF/RHD,respectively.Conclusion:We have characterised a new model that provides longitudinal stability of age-dependent behavior,to simultaneously investigate both neurobehavioral and cardiac abnormalities associated with post-streptococcal complications.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> Hand hygiene (HH) is essential in preventing healthcare-associated infections, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where SARS-CoV2 has shown the ability to survive on surf...<strong>Background:</strong> Hand hygiene (HH) is essential in preventing healthcare-associated infections, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where SARS-CoV2 has shown the ability to survive on surfaces for days. In this study, we explore HH compliance rate and the factors associated with its increase during COVID-19 pandemic. <strong>Methods:</strong> HH compliance was assessed amongst doctors in Anesthesia and Surgical Intensive Care Unit by direct observation between 2018 and 2021. An anonymous survey was then sent to the doctors to understand factors influencing the observed improvement in HH compliance during the pandemic. <strong>Results:</strong> Compliance towards the five moments of HH has shown a statistically significant rising trend from a median HH compliance of 60% in 2018, to 70% in 2019 to 94% in 2020. However, HH compliance subsequently declined in the first quarter of 2021 to median of 87%. The follow-up survey had a response rate of 96% (n = 53). 90% of survey participants responded that their HH frequency had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic with 47% stating they were performing HH 11 - 20 times/day. 64% responded that this increased frequency had affected their skin condition. 62% responded that this increased frequency was sustainable even after the pandemic ends. Participants ranked considerations influencing HH compliance. “Prevent transmitting the infection to vulnerable patients” was ranked highest followed by “High infection rate”, “Fear of contracting COVID-19” and lastly, “Public health guidelines”. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Despite the absence of new campaigns, HH compliance reached an all-time high. The pandemic has provided opportunity for behavioral change through “reflective” drivers of behavior such as emotions (“Fear”) and knowledge (“High infection rate”). Understanding the motivations behind current increased HH compliance and riding on the increased initial uptake of behavior may help convert HH into a habitual action and not just a reaction to the pandemic.展开更多
<strong>Introduction:</strong> <span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Ap</span></s...<strong>Introduction:</strong> <span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Ap</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">propriate hand hygiene reduces healthcare associated infections (HCAI). The present study was an attempt to determine the real knowledge and practices of healthcare professionals of pediatric emergency care unit in Benin. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Methods</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">: This was a three-month observational study. First a trained interviewer observed both the premises and the healthcare professionals during their administering treatment, without their knowledge. Second, their level of knowledge about HCAI was examined using a self-administered questionnaire. Finally, bacteria were cultured/measured from their hands before and after hand-washing through swab samples. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Outcome: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The modes of microorganism transmission were poorly known (21.6%), but knowledge about the 5 moments for hand hygiene was satisfactory (84.1%). Hand hygiene adherence rate was 6.9% in the study population. Simple hand-washing was prevalent (82%</span></span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">). The healthcare professionals did not adhere to the recommended duration for hand-washing. The required hand-washing equipment was inadequate, and alcohol-based handrub dispenser was unavailable. Microorganism isolated from healthcare professionals before hand-washing included </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Klebsiella</span></i><span> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">pneumonia</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">and</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Enterobacter</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Cloacae</span></i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. After hand-washing, the transient flora decreased. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Conclusion: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Hand hygiene adherence rate is low in the study population. An immediate action is required to improve observance of hand-washing. This may include: training healthcare professionals, displaying visual behavior reminder posters, providing alcohol-based handrub.</span></span></span></span>展开更多
Background: A proper hand washing of community health care worker (CHCW) is universally accepted as an important factor in reducing Heath Care Associated Infections (HCAIs). This cross sectional study was done to asse...Background: A proper hand washing of community health care worker (CHCW) is universally accepted as an important factor in reducing Heath Care Associated Infections (HCAIs). This cross sectional study was done to assess the knowledge, the attitude and practice on hand hygiene among health science students in Aden University. Method: 329 participants from medical, dental and nursing schools completed the questionnaire (43.8% female and 56.2% males). 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup> and internship years were excluded from the study. The questionnaire is adapted from World Health Organization (WHO) tools for hand hygiene surveys. Epi info., an epidemiological software from the Centre of Disease Control (CDC), was used for data analysis. Results: Responses of the participants in the study indicated that the majority of the students were aware of Hand hygiene (>90%) and 60% have had some sort of training. There is an obvious lack of knowledge on hand movement i.e. my five moments of hand hygiene, particularly on the main source and route of cross contamination with pathogens in hospital setting. In hand hygiene practice, 95% of participants wash their hands before and after food intake, 85% of participants use soap and water, but 8% of participants use only water and very few use alcohol base cleansing agent. 84% of participants wash their hands after handling patient. There was no significant difference between males and females in hand hygiene practice. Conclusion: The study on assessment of knowledge, attitude & practice of students of medical sciences revealed that almost all participants were aware of hand hygiene. However, at this stage of assessment, knowledge and practice are below 100% score for the correct response in particular knowledge and practice.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> This paper aims to determine if the combination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) could identify bacteria in culture-negative urine that w...<strong>Background:</strong> This paper aims to determine if the combination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) could identify bacteria in culture-negative urine that would alter prophylaxis management. <strong>Methods:</strong> We sent approximately 5 - 10 mL of a preoperative urine sample to MicrogenDx for PCR/NGS analysis performed after surgery (blind to the surgeon). The physician prescribed standard of care antibiotic prophylaxis. Cases modeling the hospital course of 3 random patients were reviewed by eight urologists after surgery to determine if NGS results would change their prophylaxis regimen. An infectious disease pharmacist reviewed the cases and provided the “ideal” regimen. <strong>Results:</strong> Urine cultures identified bacteria in 11% (2/18) of cases. Culture speciation results were consistent with NGS results. NGS detected a dominant bacteria in 56% (10/18) of negative cultures and targetable bacteria in all samples. There was a 15% (3/20) infection rate. In both cases, NGS results suggest inadequate prophylaxis. In response to the case scenarios, 100%, 88%, and 88% of the urologists reported they would change prophylaxis with NGS results. During a case scenario, physicians would tend to overprescribe antibiotics given PCR/NGS data for prophylaxis selection. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> NGS identifies a targetable bacterium in up to 80% of negative urine cultures before urologic stone surgery. Responses to case scenarios indicate that physicians would change management based on NGS results. Inter-professional (urologic and pharmacy) antibiotic selection with PCR/16S DNA testing may be helpful to improve antibiotic stewardship.展开更多
Dear Editor,Cumulative evidence supports the role of early-life viral infections,especially respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)and human rhinovirus(HRV),as major antecedents of childhood asthma(Lemanske,2002;Jackson et a...Dear Editor,Cumulative evidence supports the role of early-life viral infections,especially respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)and human rhinovirus(HRV),as major antecedents of childhood asthma(Lemanske,2002;Jackson et al.,2008).In this study,the x TAG respiratory viral panel FAST(RVP FAST)assay,a multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-based method(Arens et al.,2010;BaladaLlasat et al.,2011;Gharabaghi et al.,2011;Selvaraju,2012),was used to investigate the association of infec-展开更多
文摘Background: Hand hygiene is the leading measure for preventing the spread of antimicrobial resistance and reducing healthcare-associated infections, but health care worker compliance with optimal practices remains low in most settings. Objective: The main aim of this paper is to determine findings and start drafting policies in implementing them into practice after finding out nurses’ opinions, beliefs and attitudes toward hand hygiene (HH). Methodology and methods: A cross sectional descriptive and observational study during November 2009. Results: From the total number of 175 health care workers employed in this unit, 67 (38.3%) were observed regarding adherence to hand hygiene. Regarding the knowledge, practices and attitudes of the nurses, data were collected from 54 (50.0%) among 108 nurses in four intensive care units within the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo (UCCK). From research findings, it was concluded that hand hygiene compliance in the intensive care units was low (51.3%). Conclusion: Research results show the necessity of organizing multimodal programs with intensive care units of University Clinical Centre of Kosovo (UCCK) on increase of knowledge level on health-care associated infections (HAI).
文摘The prevention and control of catheter line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) have become the key content of medical care and have become the core improvement goal of nursing quality control. However, the prevention and control status of CLABSI in hospitals of different grades in Guangxi is not clear. In this study, we aim to investigate central venous catheter (CVC) placement and disinfectant use in second and third-level hospitals in Guangxi. This survey was conducted on the second and third-level hospitals in Guangxi, China from 13th April 2021 to 19th April 2021. The results show that a total of 283 questionnaires were collected, including 206 secondary hospitals and 77 tertiary hospitals. In terms of the CVC, tertiary hospitals were able to place CVC entirely under the guidance of B-ultrasound, which was 24 (31.6%) and secondary hospitals were 26 (20.6%). In secondary hospitals, Most CVC placements were performed in operating rooms 94 (74.6%) and 65 (85.5%) on the third level hospital, but 32.5% of secondary hospitals and 48.7% of tertiary hospitals were selected at the bedside of patients in general wards, and 27.8% of the second-level hospital, 43.4% of third-level hospitals was done in general ward treatment rooms, only 61.9% of secondary hospitals and 64.5% of tertiary hospitals could fully achieve the maximum sterile barrier. In terms of skin disinfectants, only 36.0% of tertiary hospitals and 16.4% of second-level CVC-operators chose > 0.5% chlorhexidine alcohol. In conclusion, the prevention and control of catheter line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in Guangxi are not ideal. The prevention and control department should increase training, implement guidelines and standardize management to reduce the incidence of CLABSI.
基金RAM Rafeek is recipient of International Postgraduate Research Award(IPRA)from University of New England.CM Lobbe and E.Wilkinson are recipients of student scholarship from the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia(RCPA).
文摘Background:The neuropsychiatric disorders due to post-streptococcal autoimmune complications such as Sydenham's chorea(SC)are associated with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease(ARF/RHD).An animal model that exhibits char-acteristics of both cardiac and neurobehavioral defects in ARF/RHD would be an important adjunct for future studies.Since age,gender,strain differences,and geno-types impact on the development of autoimmunity,we investigated the behavior of male and female Wistar and Lewis rat strains in two age cohorts(6 weeks and 12 weeks)under normal husbandry conditions and following exposure to group A streptococcus(GAS).Methods:Standard behavioral assessments were performed to determine the impair-ments in fine motor control(food manipulation test),gait and balance(beam walk-ing test),and obsessive-compulsive behavior(grooming and marble burying tests).Furthermore,electrocardiography,histology,and behavioral assessments were per-formed on male and female Lewis rats injected with GAS antigens.Results:For control Lewis rats there were no significant age and gender dependent differences in marble burying,food manipulation,beam walking and grooming be-haviors.In contrast significant age-dependent differences were observed in Wistar rats in all the behavioral tests except for food manipulation.Therefore,Lewis rats were selected for further experiments to determine the effect of GAS.After ex-posure to GAS,Lewis rats demonstrated neurobehavioral abnormalities and cardiac pathology akin to SC and ARF/RHD,respectively.Conclusion:We have characterised a new model that provides longitudinal stability of age-dependent behavior,to simultaneously investigate both neurobehavioral and cardiac abnormalities associated with post-streptococcal complications.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> Hand hygiene (HH) is essential in preventing healthcare-associated infections, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where SARS-CoV2 has shown the ability to survive on surfaces for days. In this study, we explore HH compliance rate and the factors associated with its increase during COVID-19 pandemic. <strong>Methods:</strong> HH compliance was assessed amongst doctors in Anesthesia and Surgical Intensive Care Unit by direct observation between 2018 and 2021. An anonymous survey was then sent to the doctors to understand factors influencing the observed improvement in HH compliance during the pandemic. <strong>Results:</strong> Compliance towards the five moments of HH has shown a statistically significant rising trend from a median HH compliance of 60% in 2018, to 70% in 2019 to 94% in 2020. However, HH compliance subsequently declined in the first quarter of 2021 to median of 87%. The follow-up survey had a response rate of 96% (n = 53). 90% of survey participants responded that their HH frequency had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic with 47% stating they were performing HH 11 - 20 times/day. 64% responded that this increased frequency had affected their skin condition. 62% responded that this increased frequency was sustainable even after the pandemic ends. Participants ranked considerations influencing HH compliance. “Prevent transmitting the infection to vulnerable patients” was ranked highest followed by “High infection rate”, “Fear of contracting COVID-19” and lastly, “Public health guidelines”. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Despite the absence of new campaigns, HH compliance reached an all-time high. The pandemic has provided opportunity for behavioral change through “reflective” drivers of behavior such as emotions (“Fear”) and knowledge (“High infection rate”). Understanding the motivations behind current increased HH compliance and riding on the increased initial uptake of behavior may help convert HH into a habitual action and not just a reaction to the pandemic.
文摘<strong>Introduction:</strong> <span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Ap</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">propriate hand hygiene reduces healthcare associated infections (HCAI). The present study was an attempt to determine the real knowledge and practices of healthcare professionals of pediatric emergency care unit in Benin. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Methods</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">: This was a three-month observational study. First a trained interviewer observed both the premises and the healthcare professionals during their administering treatment, without their knowledge. Second, their level of knowledge about HCAI was examined using a self-administered questionnaire. Finally, bacteria were cultured/measured from their hands before and after hand-washing through swab samples. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Outcome: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The modes of microorganism transmission were poorly known (21.6%), but knowledge about the 5 moments for hand hygiene was satisfactory (84.1%). Hand hygiene adherence rate was 6.9% in the study population. Simple hand-washing was prevalent (82%</span></span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">). The healthcare professionals did not adhere to the recommended duration for hand-washing. The required hand-washing equipment was inadequate, and alcohol-based handrub dispenser was unavailable. Microorganism isolated from healthcare professionals before hand-washing included </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Klebsiella</span></i><span> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">pneumonia</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">and</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Enterobacter</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Cloacae</span></i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. After hand-washing, the transient flora decreased. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Conclusion: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Hand hygiene adherence rate is low in the study population. An immediate action is required to improve observance of hand-washing. This may include: training healthcare professionals, displaying visual behavior reminder posters, providing alcohol-based handrub.</span></span></span></span>
文摘Background: A proper hand washing of community health care worker (CHCW) is universally accepted as an important factor in reducing Heath Care Associated Infections (HCAIs). This cross sectional study was done to assess the knowledge, the attitude and practice on hand hygiene among health science students in Aden University. Method: 329 participants from medical, dental and nursing schools completed the questionnaire (43.8% female and 56.2% males). 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup> and internship years were excluded from the study. The questionnaire is adapted from World Health Organization (WHO) tools for hand hygiene surveys. Epi info., an epidemiological software from the Centre of Disease Control (CDC), was used for data analysis. Results: Responses of the participants in the study indicated that the majority of the students were aware of Hand hygiene (>90%) and 60% have had some sort of training. There is an obvious lack of knowledge on hand movement i.e. my five moments of hand hygiene, particularly on the main source and route of cross contamination with pathogens in hospital setting. In hand hygiene practice, 95% of participants wash their hands before and after food intake, 85% of participants use soap and water, but 8% of participants use only water and very few use alcohol base cleansing agent. 84% of participants wash their hands after handling patient. There was no significant difference between males and females in hand hygiene practice. Conclusion: The study on assessment of knowledge, attitude & practice of students of medical sciences revealed that almost all participants were aware of hand hygiene. However, at this stage of assessment, knowledge and practice are below 100% score for the correct response in particular knowledge and practice.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> This paper aims to determine if the combination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) could identify bacteria in culture-negative urine that would alter prophylaxis management. <strong>Methods:</strong> We sent approximately 5 - 10 mL of a preoperative urine sample to MicrogenDx for PCR/NGS analysis performed after surgery (blind to the surgeon). The physician prescribed standard of care antibiotic prophylaxis. Cases modeling the hospital course of 3 random patients were reviewed by eight urologists after surgery to determine if NGS results would change their prophylaxis regimen. An infectious disease pharmacist reviewed the cases and provided the “ideal” regimen. <strong>Results:</strong> Urine cultures identified bacteria in 11% (2/18) of cases. Culture speciation results were consistent with NGS results. NGS detected a dominant bacteria in 56% (10/18) of negative cultures and targetable bacteria in all samples. There was a 15% (3/20) infection rate. In both cases, NGS results suggest inadequate prophylaxis. In response to the case scenarios, 100%, 88%, and 88% of the urologists reported they would change prophylaxis with NGS results. During a case scenario, physicians would tend to overprescribe antibiotics given PCR/NGS data for prophylaxis selection. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> NGS identifies a targetable bacterium in up to 80% of negative urine cultures before urologic stone surgery. Responses to case scenarios indicate that physicians would change management based on NGS results. Inter-professional (urologic and pharmacy) antibiotic selection with PCR/16S DNA testing may be helpful to improve antibiotic stewardship.
基金supported by Special Funds for Public WelfareProjects (2015SQ00160)the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau "Advanced Personnel Training Program" (No. 2011-3-068)the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission (No. Z111107056811041)
文摘Dear Editor,Cumulative evidence supports the role of early-life viral infections,especially respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)and human rhinovirus(HRV),as major antecedents of childhood asthma(Lemanske,2002;Jackson et al.,2008).In this study,the x TAG respiratory viral panel FAST(RVP FAST)assay,a multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-based method(Arens et al.,2010;BaladaLlasat et al.,2011;Gharabaghi et al.,2011;Selvaraju,2012),was used to investigate the association of infec-
