Citywide preparedness for a pandemic: A cross-sectional survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices about respiratory infection prevention in Bogotá, Colombia / Preparación de la ciudad para la pandemia: una encuesta de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre la prevención de infecciones respiratorias en Bogotá, Colombia

Introduction: Healthcare personnel plays an important role in the prevention of acute respiratory infections in hospital settings. Objective: Our aim was to establish the level of knowledge about respiratory virus infections and the attitudes and practices among healthcare workers, leaders of infection control committees in hospitals of Bogotá, Colombia. Materials and methods: We used a self-administered questionnaire of 28 items during the monthly meeting sponsored by the local health authority. "Yes or no" and "true or false" questions were applied to measure knowledge. Attitudes and practices were measured with a Likert-type scale according to the agreement degree. Results: We surveyed 70 healthcare workers. Respondents demonstrated a good level of knowledge as 80% of them answered correctly more than five questions. A total of 54.4% showed a low degree of agreement when asked if their institutions have the policy to stay home when they are sick with respiratory symptoms and 67.1% never or rarely remain at home under such conditions. Conclusion: Healthcare worker leaders of infection control committees in Bogotá's hospitals have adequate knowledge about the prevention of seasonal respiratory viruses. There is a need for implementing urgent sick leave policies as a measure to prevent the spread of potential coronavirus infections in hospitals.

Introducción. El personal de salud juega un papel importante en la prevención de la diseminación de los virus respiratorios en los hospitales. Objetivo. Establecer el nivel de conocimiento y determinar las actitudes y prácticas en relación con los virus respiratorios entre los encargados de los comités de infecciones de los hospitales de Bogotá. Materiales y métodos. Los participantes respondieron una encuesta de 28 ítems durante una de las sesiones mensuales del comité de infecciones de la ciudad. Se midió el conocimiento y se formularon preguntas sobre las actitudes y las prácticas utilizando una escala de tipo Likert para evaluar la conformidad. Resultados. Se encuestaron 70 trabajadores de salud. Los participantes tenían un buen nivel de conocimiento, ya que el 80 % de los respondientes tuvieron cinco o más respuestas correctas. El 54,4 % mostró un bajo nivel de conformidad en cuanto a si sus instituciones tenían una política de quedarse en casa en caso de síntomas respiratorios y 64,1 % nunca o casi nunca se queda en casa cuando presenta dichos síntomas. Conclusión. Los trabajadores de la salud que encabezan los comités de infecciones de los hospitales de Bogotá tienen un adecuado conocimiento de la prevención de los virus respiratorios. Deben implementarse políticas de quedarse en casa para el personal con síntomas gripales, con el fin de prevenir la potencial diseminación de virus en los hospitales.

Lineamientos para el manejo de los Centros de Operaciones de Emergencia Institucionales: - COEI - / Guidelines for the management of Institutional Emergency Operations Centers

Fecha de actualización: 20 de julio 2020. Planificar, coordinar, conducir las operaciones y las acciones que contribuyan a organizar los esfuerzos para la toma decisiones oportunas para el mejor aprovechamiento de los recursos ante la amenaza de la presencia de Coronavirus.

Lineamientos para el cuidado de la salud mental: dirigido a proveedores de salud. Pandemia COVID-19 / Mental Health Care Guidelines: For Health Providers. COVID-19 pandemic

El documento refleja la preocupación del MSPAS respecto a las necesidades psicológicas ante la gravedad de la pandemia, del personal de salud de todo el país. Da cuenta de que en algunos casos trabajan con los mínimos recursos personales para poder afrontar los retos del trabajo, así como otras circunstancias que les pueden generar estrés, soledad, inseguridad, etc. Por ello emite una serie de recomendaciones para apoyarlos. El documento en sí refleja los estados anímicos de los trabajadores de salud, especialmente en el personal de primera línea de atención a pacientes comprometidos con coronavirus. El objetivo es: fortalecer a proveedores de salud de recursos internos y estrategias de afrontamiento, para la mitigación de trastornos mentales en los proveedores de salud que atienden la pandemia de COVID ­ 19.

Nivel de conocimiento y cuidado enfermero del paciente con catéter central en Culiacán, Sinaloa, México / Level of knowledge and nursing care of the patient with central venous catheter in Culiacán, Sinaloa, México

Introducción: los catéteres venosos centrales son dispositivos de acceso directo al torrente sanguíneo, el manejo inadecuado es la principal causa de infección. Siendo el personal de enfermería el responsable de la manipulación de dicho dispositivo, es necesario establecer intervenciones de enfermería que garanticen la seguridad del usuario durante su estancia hospitalaria. Objetivo: determinar nivel de conocimiento y cuidado enfermero del paciente con catéter venoso central, en el Hospital General Regional No. 1 de Culiacán, Sinaloa. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, observacional, transversal y correlacional. La muestra estuvo conformada por 158 enfermeros; las variables principales del estudio fueron: nivel de conocimiento y cuidado enfermero, la recolección de datos se realizó a través del cuestionario: Nivel de conocimiento del paciente con catéter venoso central, y una lista de verificación de líneas vasculares centrales. Resultados: predominó el género femenino (62%); el 54.4% fueron enfermeros generales, el 36.1% se ubica en el turno matutino, el 52.5% tiene un nivel de conocimiento regular sobre catéter venoso central (CVC), el 54% proporciona cuidado enfermero regular. Se identificó que existe asociación significativa entre nivel de conocimiento con el cuidado enfermero del CVC (Tb = 2.40, p = 0.01). El 73.4% tiene un nivel de conocimiento regular y proporciona un nivel de cuidado deficiente, el 52% tiene un nivel de conocimientos deficiente y proporciona buen cuidado. Existe una correlación positiva y significativa moderada (rs = 0.65, p = 0.01) entre el conocimiento sobre el manejo del CVC y el cuidado enfermero. El conocimiento explica el cuidado en un 42% (R2= 0.42). Conclusiones: el nivel de conocimiento y cuidado enfermero sobre el CVC es regular, existe asociación positiva y significativa entre el nivel de conocimiento y cuidado enfermero del paciente con CVC.

Introduction: Central venous catheters are direa access devices to the bloodstream, improper handling is the main cause of infection; being the nursing staff responsible for the manipulation of said device, it is necessary to establish nursing interventions that guarantee the safety of the user during their hospital stay Objective: To determine the level of knowledge and nursing care of the patient with a central venous catheter, at the Hospital General Regional No.l in Culiacán, Sinaloa. Methods: Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional and correlational study; the sample was made up of 158 nurses; The main variables of the study v/ere level of knowledge and nursing care; Data colleaion was carried out through the questionnaire: level of knowledge of the patient with a central venous catheter, and a checklist of central vascular lines. Results: Female gender predominated 62.0%; 54.4% are general nurses, 36.1% are in the morning shift, 52.5% have a regular level of knowledge about central venous catheter (CVC), 54% provide regular nursing care; There is a significant association between the level of knowledge with CVC nursing care (7b = 2.40, p = 0.01). 73.4% have a regular level of knowledge and provide a poor level of care, 52.0% have a poor level of knowledge and provide good care. There is a modérate positive and significant correlation (rs = 0.65, p = 0.01) between knowledge about CVC management and nursing care; knowledge explains care in 42% (R2 = 0.42). Conclusions: The level of knowledge and nursing care about CVC is regular; There is a positive and significant association between the level of knowledge and nursing care of the patient with CVC.

Prospective nationwide healthcare-associated infection surveillance system in South Korea

The Korean Society for Healthcare-associated Infection Control and Prevention ran a nationwide database of healthcare associated infection surveillance system. Korean National Healthcare-associated Infections Surveillance System (KONIS) is a nationwide surveillance network to perform of healthcare associated infection surveillance using standardized methods. Intensive care unit surveillance was begun on July 2006 and SSI module was added in 2007. The enrollment criteria of intensive care unit surveillance were general hospitals over 400 beds with infection control practitioner and doctors in 2006 but the criteria were expanded to over 200 beds size hospitals in 2016. Overall 70.5% hospitals were included in 2017. All tertiary care hospitals were enrolled. Less than 300 beds hospitals accounted for 59%. KONIS validation study has been performed from 2008 biennially. Future directions of KONIS include expansion of participating hospitals and multicenter intervention modules and new modules for special units such as neonatal intensive care units.

Manual de autocuidado para los profesionales de la salud del Servicio Rural Urbano Marginal en Salud - SERUMS / Self-care manual for health professionals Urban Marginal Rural Health Service - SERUMS

Consta de cinco capítulos distribuidos de la siguiente manera: En el capítulo I contiene información básica que el profesional SERUMS debe saber antes de llegar al lugar donde realizará su labor. Este capítulo contiene valiosa información que debe tener en cuenta al firmar su contrato, al desplazarse y al instalarse en su lugar de trabajo, que le permitan acceder a medidas de protección de su salud y seguridad laboral. En el capítulo II, describe las pautas para que su permanencia en su lugar de trabajo sea lo más confortable posible, en armonía con sus nuevos compañeros de trabajo, con la comunidad y sus autoridades. En el III, se abordan los incidentes peligrosos, accidentes de trabajo y enfermedades ocupacionales o relacionadas con el trabajo, con un enfoque de prevención y de manejo apropiado, en el marco de las normas que regulan la protección de la salud y seguridad en el trabajo. En el IV, se abordan los aspectos administrativos que el profesional debe tener en cuenta para evitar algunos problemas de orden administrativo relacionados a permisos, descansos médicos, asistencia, programación de turnos y otros. Y en el capítulo V, se abordan problemas que atentan contra su libertad sexual

Manual de autocuidado para los profesionales de la salud del Servicio Rural Urbano Marginal en Salud - SERUMS / Self-care manual for health professionals Urban Marginal Rural Health Service - SERUMS

La publicación consta de cinco capítulos distribuidos de la siguiente manera: En el capítulo I contiene información básica que el profesional SERUMS debe saber antes de llegar al lugar donde realizará su labor. Este capítulo contiene valiosa información que debe tener en cuenta al firmar su contrato, al desplazarse y al instalarse en su lugar de trabajo, que le permitan acceder a medidas de protección de su salud y seguridad laboral. En el capítulo II, describe las pautas para que su permanencia en su lugar de trabajo sea lo más confortable posible, en armonía con sus nuevos compañeros de trabajo, con la comunidad y sus autoridades. En el III, se abordan los incidentes peligrosos, accidentes de trabajo y enfermedades ocupacionales o relacionadas con el trabajo, con un enfoque de prevención y de manejo apropiado, en el marco de las normas que regulan la protección de la salud y seguridad en el trabajo. En el IV, se abordan los aspectos administrativos que el profesional debe tener en cuenta para evitar algunos problemas de orden administrativo relacionados a permisos, descansos médicos, asistencia, programación de turnos y otros. Y en el capítulo V, se abordan problemas que atentan contra su libertad sexual

Hand washing practices and techniques among health professionals in a tertiary hospital in Kano

Background: The simple act of hand washing has been proven to reduce the risk of acquiring hospital infection; especially with the current concern of Ebola viral disease. Hospital acquired infections have contributed significantly to overall mortality and morbidity and health care cost. They report that hand washing remains at an unacceptable low level in most medical environments; with large numbers of doctors and nurses routinely forgetting to wash their hands before touching patients. Transmission of health-care-associated infections often occurs via the contaminated hands of health care workers. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among randomly selected doctors and nurses in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital; Kano. The questionnaires were administered to the respondents during their ward rounds or clinic sessions. Results: One hundred and forty health professionals comprising 98 nurses and 42 doctors were studied. About 64.4% of them were aware of the World Health Organization (WHO) global hand washing day but only 15% stated the date correctly. About 99.3% of them believed that if hand washing is done correctly it can reduce the risk of infection. All (100%) of the health professionals use water and soap or hand rubs as agents of hand washing. About 93.6% were taught hand washing technique and 47% were aware of the five moments in hand washing but only 17% of them could list the five moments in hand washing. Only 25.7% health professionals knew the correct steps of hand washing (?2 = 2.444; df = 2; P = 0.295). Ninety-one percent of the health professionals had seen posters on hand washing. Majority (72.1%) adhered to principles of hand washing (?2 = 0.015; df = 1; P = 0.902) while 82.1% wash their hands before touching patients (?2 = 2.841; df = 1; P = 0.092). However; most of them (95%) washed their hands after touching patients and 97% washed their hands after handling body fluids or secretions from patients. On the other hand; only 39% health professionals washed hands before wearing hand gloves (?2 = 0.321; df = 1; P = 0.571) but 95% washed hands after removing the hand gloves. Ninety-nine percent washed their hands after visiting or using the restroom. Conclusion: This study underscores the need for continuous information and education of health professionals on the importance WHO global hand washing day. As doctors and nurses are important in the health care team; it is important to provide the appropriate knowledge and training regarding preventive practices of infectious diseases. Training and retraining of health professionals on correct steps of hand washing will encourage and remind them on the importance of washing hands before wearing gloves and before touching patients to reduce the risk of infection and cross infection

Limitações para investigação e notificação de surtos de infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde no Estado de São Paulo: uma abordagem de métodos mistos / Barriers to investigate and to report nosocomial outbreaks to health authorities in São Paulo, Brazil: a mixed method approach

Introdução:A detecção de surtos de infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde (IRAS) e sua investigação são atividades de extrema importância para a Comissão de Controle de Infecção Hospitalar, pois os resultados da investigação podem identificar a fonte e o veículo do foco de transmissão, contribuir para implantação de medidas apropriadas para a prevenção de casos novos, fornecer informações para o avanço da epidemiologia hospitalar e traduzir a qualidade da vigilância epidemiológica do serviço de saúde.Embora a notificação de surtos seja obrigatória desde 1998, um estudo mostrou que apenas 25% dos eventos são notificados para as autoridades sanitárias. Objetivos: Identificar, segundo a percepção dos profissionais de controle de IRAS, quais são as limitações para investigação de surto de IRAS e as restrições para notificação do evento às autoridades sanitárias. Métodos: O estudo utilizou uma abordagem de métodos mistos, sob o desenho convergente paralelo. Para a abordagem quantitativa foi realizado um inquérito utilizando-se um questionário eletrônico na plataforma do DATASUS (FormSUS) e foram incluídos profissionais de controle de IRAS que atuam no Estado de São Paulo. Para a abordagem qualitativa foram realizados grupos focais nas cidades de São Paulo, Campinas e Ribeirão Preto e foram incluídos os profissionais de controle de IRAS que atuam nessas cidades. Para os resultados do inquérito foi realizada uma análise descritiva e para os achados dos grupos focais foi aplicada a análise de conteúdo.Após a análise das abordagens os resultados foram comparados. Resultados: Participaram 87 profissionais de controle de infecção no inquérito e 22 profissionais nos grupos focais, sendo a participação de (60%) enfermeiros e (40%) médicos similar nas duas abordagens. Houve convergência nos seguintes temas:i) Profissionais de controle de infecção têm dificuldade em aplicar conhecimento em investigação de surtos na prática; ii) Recursos humanos e materiais são suficientes, mas há falta de planejamento de trabalho; iii) Apoio institucional frágil para questões relativas ao controle de IRAS; iv) Profissionais de controle de infecção sabem como notificar (84%), mas não sabem a relevância da notificação dos surtos para a saúde pública; vi) Profissionais de controle de infecção não notificam por medo de punição (64%) ou exposição da imagem da instituição (52%). Em dois temas houve a divergência entre as abordagens quantitativas e qualitativas: i) Laboratório: no inquérito a maioria relatou um bom suporte laboratorial, mas nos grupos focais houve queixas sobre o serviço; ii) Relação com autoridades sanitárias: no inquérito profissionais de controle de infecção citaram uma boa interação (50%) e não punitiva (84%), mas nos grupos focais citaram como insuficiente e punitiva. Conclusão: O estudo mostrou que as barreiras à investigação de surtos de IRAS e notificação às autoridades sanitárias são conhecimentos, habilidades e apoio institucional. As autoridades sanitárias devem superar estas barreiras, reconstruindo suas estratégias para aproximar os serviços de saúde, bem como fornecer programas educativos translacionais para apoiar a melhoria dos processos de investigação de surto.

Introduction: Nosocomial outbreak investigations provide relevant insights into the field of healthcare-associated infection prevention. Nevertheless, in a previous study, it were detected that only a quarter of all published nosocomial outbreak investigations were reported to the health authorities in São Paulo State, Brazil in the last ten years. Objectives: The study aimed at to identify barriers to investigate and to report nosocomial outbreak investigations to the health authorities in São Paulo. Methods: A mixed methods approach was performed in a convergent parallel design. The quantitative branch of the study was a statewide survey by means of an electronic questionnaire. Only infection control practitioners working in São Paulo State were included. The qualitative branch was carried out by means of focus groups focus group conducted in three major cities (São Paulo, Campinas and Ribeirão Preto).Only infection control practitioners working in these three cities were included in focus groups sessions. Data obtained from the survey and focus groups were individually processed in a descriptive analysis and content analysis, respectively. Results: Infection control practitioners enrolled were 87 and 22 respectively in the electronic survey and focus group. A similar proportion of nurses (60%) and physicians (40%) were observed in both branches of the study. Data from the survey and FG were convergent regarding to: i) although most infection control practitioners believe themselves with enough knowledge on nosocomial outbreak investigations, they find difficult to translate this knowledge into practice;ii) the perception is that sufficient human and material resources are present in hospitals, but they perceive overall weak planning in infection control activities; iii) infection control practitioners do not feel supported by hospital managers; iv)The infection control practitioners know the channels to report outbreaks to health authorities (84%), but they see it meaningless; vi) infection control practitioners don\'t report to health authorities because they are mainly concerned about potential punition (64%)or denigration of institutional image (52%).The quantitative and qualitative branch of the study resulted divergent in issues regarding laboratory support and the interaction with health authorities. In the survey the majority of infection control practitioners informed to have good laboratory support (59%), however in focus group participants complained about that. In addition, in the electronic survey participants referred good interaction (50%) and no punishment (84%) related to health authorities, but in focus group they declared a very poor interaction. Conclusion: The study showed that barriers to nosocomial outbreak investigations and reporting to health authorities are knowledge, skills and hospital manager support. Health authorities should overcome these barriers by rebuilding its strategies to approach health care services as well as delivering translational educational programs to support improvement nosocomial outbreak investigations skills.

Knowledge and Attitude towards Pathogen Transmission Precautions among Healthcare Workers in a General Hospital

BACKGROUND: Pathogen-transmission precautions (PTP), including standard precautions, have been introduced to control the transmission of pathogens among patients and healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge regarding PTP and the attitude towards these precautions among healthcare workers in a hospital setting. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed from March to April 2007 using a self-administered questionnaire completed by 235 physicians, 491 nurses, and 117 laboratory technicians working at a large teaching hospital in urban area in Korea. RESULTS: The overall percentage of correct answers to 13 knowledge-type questions was 66.3%, and the percentage of correct answers differed significantly depending on the profession of the respondents (P<0.001) and exposure to PTP training (P=0.003). The guidelines were the preferred source of information on PTP (57.3%) followed by infection control practitioners (32.0%). The most important obstacles to compliance with PTP guidelines were lack of time (67.5%), forgetfulness (46.8%), lack of knowledge (33.8%), and lack of means (11.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Level of knowledge on the PTP guidelines was low and required improvement. Lack of time was the most important factor reported leading to poor compliance with the PTP guidelines.

Más que una responsabilidad individual: factores socio-estructurales y el estigma relacionado al VIH/SIDA / More than individual responsibility: socio-structural factors and hiv/aids stigma

La estigmatización del VIH/SIDA es de interés para la Psicología Comunitaria (PC) y organizaciones nacionales/internacionales. La enfermedad es ampliamente conocida, sin embargo su significado social es un reto para la empresa salubrista. Es altamente estigmatizada y se le atribuye la contaminación de la sociedad saludable. Desarrollar adiestramientos para profesionales de la salud (PS) y estudiantes de profesiones de la salud (EPS), incluyendo a psicólogos/as en esta área, es importante para lograr un mayor alcance a programas preventivos y de tratamiento. Un reto para reducir el estigma, es lograr que PS comprendan cómo las condiciones sociales fomentan la enfermedad, en lugar de concentrarse en las acciones individuales de las personas afectadas. Para esto es necesario considerar aquellos factores socio-estructurales que fomentan la estigmatización de las personas con VIH/SIDA (PCVS) como la pobreza y el género, entre otros. Los objetivos fueron explorar: 1) manifestaciones de estigma hacia el VIH/SIDA de PS y EPS y 2) su percepción de los factores socio-estructurales e individuales en estas manifestaciones, utilizando un diseño exploratorio de corte cualitativo. A partir del análisis de discurso de 80 entrevistas semiestructuradas a profundidad (40 PS y 40 EPS), se identificaron tres patrones temáticos que fomentan la enfermedad sociedad/cultura, género y responsabilidad individual.

Cambio de catéter central programado al octavo día es superior al cambio guiado por signos de infección en pacientes críticamente enfermos / Programmed central line change on the eighth day is better than being guided by signs of infection for changing it in critically-ill patients

Objetivos. Comparar la eficacia del esquema de cambio de catéter venoso central (CVC) programado al octavo día de inserción, con el esquema de cambio guiado por signos de infección, sobre la prevención de colonización e infección de catéter central. Diseño. Experimento controlado aleatorizado. Pacientes. Todos los pacientes admitidos a la Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo (UCI) que requirieron inserción de un CVC entre agosto 1 de 2008 y octubre 31 de 2009 fueron asignados aleatoriamente a uno de dos grupos de acuerdo con el tiempo de cambio de CVC. En un grupo se retiró el catéter al octavo día, mientras que en el otro se retiro guiado por signos locales o sistémicos de infección. Mediciones y resultados. Los trayectos/puntas de catéter fueron cultivados en todos los casos. La tasa de colonización de catéter (= 103 unidades formadoras de colonias [ufc]/mL por cultivo cuantitativo) y tasa de sepsis por catéter fueron significativamente menores en el grupo de retiro al octavo día (12 vs. 31 [RR = 0,4, IC 95 % (0,1 - 0,9), p < 0,01] y 6 vs. 16 [RR = 0,4, IC 95 % (0,1 - 0,97), p = 0,05], respectivamente). Las tasas de colonización de catéter y de sepsis por 1.000 días catéter también fueron significativamente menores en el grupo de retiro al octavo día (8 vs. 31 [RR = 0,3, IC 95 % (0,1 - 0,9), p = 0,03] and 5 vs. 19 [RR = 0,3, IC 95 % (0,1 - 0,9), p = 0,02], respectivamente). Conclusión. La estrategia de retiro de CVC a octavo día fue más efectiva que la estrategia de retiro de CVC guiado por signos de infección, en términos de colonización y sepsis por catéter.

Objectives. Comparing the efficacy of a protocol for scheduled central line change 8 days after insertion to local/systemic driven change protocol regarding the prevention of central venous or arterial catheter colonisation and infection. Design. Prospective, randomised clinical trial. Patients. All patients admitted to the ICU requiring central venous catheter insertion from August 1st 2008 to October 31st 2009. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups according to timing of central line exchange. In one group, venous catheter was removed by day 8, and in the other group, it was removed guided by local or systemic signs of infection. Measurements and Main Results. Catheter distal tips were quantitatively cultured in all patients. Significant catheter colonisation rate (i.e. > or = 103 colony-forming units [cfu]/mL by quantitative culture) and catheter-related sepsis (as defined by sepsis abating following catheter removal per 1,000 catheter-days) were significantly lower in the 8th day removal group (12 vs. 31 [0.4 relative risk; 0.1 to 0.9 95 % confidence interval; p < 0.1] and 6 vs. 16 [0.4 relative risk; 0.1 to 0.97 95 % confidence interval; p=0.05], respectively). Central venous catheter colonisation and central venous catheter-related sepsis rate per 1,000 catheter-days were also significantly lower in the 8th day removal group (8 vs. 31 [0.3 relative risk; 0.1 to 0.9 95 % confidence interval; p = 0.03] and 5 vs. 19 [0.3 relative risk; 0.1 to 0.9 95 % confidence interval; p = 0.02], respectively). Conclusions. The 8th day catheter removal strategy was more effective than catheter removal strategy guided by signs of infection in terms of colonisation and catheter-related sepsis.

Nationwide Survey on the Current Status of Infection Control in Oriental Medical Hospitals / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: Oriental medicine is a part of medical service in Korea. However, there are no information about the status of infection control program in oriental medical hospitals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of infection control activities in oriental medical hospitals and to provide a data to establish infection control policy in oriental medical hospitals. METHODS: This study was based on the survey questionnaires about infection control program and activities with total 13 oriental medical university hospitals in Korea. Questionnaires were collected from February 1 to March 31, 2011. RESULTS: Nine hospitals (69.2%) had infection control practitioner (ICP). Only 4 hospitals (30.8%) had full-time ICP and infection control office. The 6 hospitals (46.2%) had a position for infection control doctor and half of them were oriental medical doctors. Eight hospitals (61.5%) had an infection control committee and they had a meeting for average 2.5 times a year. Six hospitals (46.2%) performed surveillance and most of them were monitoring site directed infections. Only 4 hospitals have microbiology laboratory. All hospitals were using disposable acupuncture needles. Six hospitals were only using disposable wet cupping. Two hospitals (15.4%) were reusing wet cupping after disinfection. CONCLUSION: Through this study it was able to find out the status of infection control activities in oriental hospitals. There were also many limits on infection control activities in oriental medical hospitals. Based on this study it is needed to develop the infection control guideline and education for associates in oriental hospitals.

Infection control practices among dental practitioners of Lahore, Pakistan

To observe adoption of infection control measures among dental practitioners. A cross-sectional study based on a convenient sampling technique was conducted. Dental Practitioners in each subdivision [towns] of the Lahore, Pakistan were approached through 15 dental hygiene students to fill a close ended structured questionnaire. Study was conducted during 1[st] March-15 March 2005. Chi square test was applied with a significance level of p<0.05. Four hundred dental practices were visited and response rate of 83.25% was obtained. 62.76% surgeries were found being run by un-qualified dental practitioners and 37.23% by qualified dentists. 94.35% qualified practitioners used gloves as compared to only 28.2% of the un-qualified practitioners and a high percentage of qualified practitioners used gloves for every patients compared to their un-qualified counter parts [85.48% and 14.35%] respectively. 97.5% qualified practitioners and 80.3% of the un-qualified dentists used face masks. 85.1% of un-qualified and 98.3% of the qualified dental practitioners used fresh set of instruments for each patient. Use of sterilization methods including disinfectants, autoclaving of instruments was higher in qualified practitioners. Infection control measures among qualified and non-qualified practitioners were statistically significant. [p= 0.000] A poor level of infection control practice was observed in dental practices run by un-qualified practitioners. Majority of qualified dentists were observing infection control measures. There is need for further education and training for all the dental practitioners

[Practice of midwives working at midwifery offices toward performance of professional standards and effectiveness of continuous evaluation and education on them in Shiraz [2007]]

The most important aim of health program is health of population for getting this aim professional standards education as well as evaluation and assessments on providers have an important role. The purpose this study was survey midwives' Practice of working at midwifery offices toward performance of professional standards and effectiveness of continuous evaluation and education on them. This study is an interventional study in which all of midwifery offices [53] were researched. The study was done in three processes that Standard check list were completed each process after interview, observation, control and assessment of midwives, functions. Then datum is collected and analyzed. Overall mean score of fault at midwifery offices decreased from step 1 to step 3 in these fields: environmental health and infection control [P<0.0001], personal and patient care [P=0.003], individual health [P=0.03] and obey of laws and rules [P<0.0001]. Along with all standards education, continuous evaluation on people's function is necessary till faults and deficiencies were observed and resolved as soon as possible that educational programs succeed consequently

Hand Hygiene Practices in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Ghana

Background: Compliance with hand hygiene recommendations is the most important measure in preventing health care-associated infections. The objective of this study was to assess the nature of patient contact and the hand hygiene practices of nurses and physicians in the neonatal intensive care unit in a tertiary hospital in Ghana. Methodology: Unobtrusive observation of patient contact; hand hygiene practices; and hand washing technique among nurses and physicians attending randomly selected newborns for five hours daily for two weeks. Patient contact categorized as low-risk or high-risk. Hand hygiene practice before and after patient contact categorized as clean uncontaminated; clean recontaminated; new gloves; unchanged gloves. Compliance to alcohol rub use assessed. Results: The patient to nurse/physician ratio varied from 9:1 to 12:1. There were 97 patient contacts of which 49 were high-risk and 48 low-risk. Most (73) patient contacts were from nurses. Compliance to hand hygiene recommendations before versus after patient contact was 15.4versus 38.5for physicians and 14.1versus 9.9for nurses. Gloves were used for 60.8patient contacts (85.7high-risk; 35.4low-risk); however; compliance to recommended procedure occurred in only 12.2of high-risk contacts and none of the low-risk contacts. Gloves were not changed between patients in 43.7of high-risk contacts and 88.2of low-risk contacts. Hand washing protocol was generally followed. Alcohol hand rub was always available but was not used for hand hygiene. Conclusions: Hand hygiene compliance of physicians and nurses was low. Gloves and alcohol rub were not used according to recommended guidelines. Incorporating effective education programs that improve adherence to hand hygiene guidelines into the continuing education curriculum of health professionals is recommended

VIH-sida y parejas serodiscordantes: aproximaciones a los miembros negativos desde la perspectiva bio-médica / HIV-AIDS and serodiscordants couples: approaches to the negative members from the biomedical perspective

El trabajo tiene por objetivo describir los resultados de una investigación cualitativa que tuvo por propósito indagar, a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas, las percepciones de los/as profesionales de salud con relación a la atención del miembro negativo de las parejas serodiscordantes. El análisis de los resultados muestra la escasez de espacios y acciones de salud destinadas específicamente a dichos sujetos y la invisibilización de los mismos en los ámbitos de atención pública de salud. Se pretende proveer conocimientos que faciliten la reflexión acerca de la problemática en cuestión y aportar a la planificación y puesta en práctica de dispositivos destinados específicamente a los miembros negativos.

The aim of this paper is to describe the results of a qualitative research which objective was to analyze the perceptions of health professional regarding to the attention of serodiscordant couples negative member. Our results show that the spaces and health actions destined to these people are almost nonexistent and that they are neglected in the public health attention field. This research also expects to stimulate social reflections about this problematic and tries to contribute to the planning and implementations of actions and devices destined to negative members.

Survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding tuberculosis among general and private medical practitioners in Nigeria

The knowledge and practice regarding tuberculosis (TB) treatment was surveyed by analysing questionnaires distributed to 390 general and private medical practitioners in Nigeria. Of the 350 (89) questionnaires returned; 305 (87.1) practitioners had treated TB cases in their hospitals. The number of regimens recorded were 85 for newly diagnosed (ND) cases and for 45 re-treatment (RT) cases. The National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTCP)-approved regimen were used in 61 (20) ND cases and 60 (19.7) RT cases. The number of inadequate regimens prescribed were 60 (70.6) for ND cases and 36 (80) for RT cases; 34 (40) practitioners wrongly stated that strepto- mycin should be used for ND cases. In ND cases; regimens lasting less than 6 months were prescribed in 8 (9.4) cases; and regiments lasting more than 12 months were prescribed in 10 cases (11.7). Other aspects of poor knowledge were exhibited by a significant number of respondents who estimated seeing an average of 1525 TB patients each month. It was concluded that a significant number of physicians in private practice did not adhere to the standard norms for prescribing anti-TB treatment; did not know about the regimen recommended by the NTCP; and often prescribed wrong regimens. Intervention strategies in the form of continuing medical education in TB should be urgently organised for general and private medical practitioners if the disease is to be controlled in Nigeria

O sentido do tratamento para tuberculose no cotidiano de doentes e de profissionais de saúde / The sense of the tuberculosis treatment in the daily of the patients and health professionals

Estudo sobre o cotidiano assistencial do tratamento a pessoas portadoras de tuberculose em três Unidades Básicas de Saúde de Belém-Pará. Teve como objetivos compreender o cotidiano da dinâmica assistencial do tratamento a pessoas portadoras de tuberculose; descrever os processos associados ao enfrentamento da doença nos serviços; desvelar o sentido que funda as ações do tratamento para os profissionais e para as pessoas portadoras de tuberculose. Participaram da pesquisa vinte e um profissionais de saúde e vinte e um doentes em tratamento...

The Present Situation of Infection Control Professionals, Organization, and Activities in Korean Acute Care General Hospitals / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: It has been more than 15 years since infection control was first introduced in Korea, but there is little information available on the status of infection control program in the country. METHODS: Included in the study were 139 acute care hospitals with more than 300 inpatient beds. A questionnaire, modified from US SENIC (Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control) and Canadian RICH (Resources for Infection Control in Canadian Acute Care Hospitals) survey, was mailed to the hospitals in the winter of 2003. RESULTS: Ninety-eight (70.5%) of 139 hospitals responded. There was an average of 1.2 (SD, 0.7) Infection Control Practitioners (lCPs) in each hospital and 95.7% were nurses and only 56.5% of the ICPs worked as full-time. The 71.4% of the hospitals had a position for Infection Control Doctor. All hospitals had an Infection Control Committee, which met an average of 3.7 (SD, 1.7) times a year. The 85.7% of the hospitals performed surveillance, but only 31.6% were monitoring surgical site infections. Review of microbiology data was the most common method for case-finding. More than 90% of the hospitals had infection control policies and guidelines, but an adherence to the policies and guidelines was not monitored regularly. CONCLUSION: This study reports the first comparable profile of infection control program of general acute care hospitals in Korea. Although the foundation for infection control program appears to have been established, there is the need for a further increase in the number of ICPs, the standardization of the surveillance method, and the promotion of adherence to the infection control guidelines.