Infection Control in Office-based Practices

ABSTRACT

Infection control in the setting of the office based clinic, involves the early detection of disease; disease prevention through vaccination as in influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations; and through screening for asymptomatic disease as in tuberculosis. Family physicians play an important role in these aspects within the community. Although influenza vaccination is effective, the take up rate of vaccination locally is low. Annual vaccination with the current vaccines are strongly recommended in high risk populations such as the elderly, the immunocompromised and, those with co-morbidities. The inactivated trivalent vaccine is the most commonly used. Latent Tuberculosis (TB) Infection is asymptomatic and often goes undetected. Prevention of progression to overt TB can be achieved by identifying high risk persons and the early detection by either the tuberculin skin test or interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs). Invasive pneumococcal disease can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in the young and elderly. In the preventive control of this disease, there are two types of pneumococcal vaccines currently available – the polysaccharide vaccine and the conjugate vaccine. Recommendations for the two different vaccines are in accordance with different at risk populations.