ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: King Saud Medical City (KSMC) is a quaternary care center based in the center of the capital city, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and it is one of the key Ministry of Health (MoH) facilities dedicated to the care of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the central region. METHODS: A comprehensive surge plan was promptly launched in mid-March 2020 to address the pandemic, and it expanded in a phase-wise approach. Supporting the capacity of the infection prevention and control department (IPCD) was a main pillar of the surge plan. Task force infection control teams were formed to tackle the different aspects of pandemic containment processes. The challenges and measures undertaken by the IPC team are described here. CONCLUSION: Infection prevention and control staff are frontline responders in public health emergencies like COVID-19, and a solid infection prevention and control system in the healthcare setting supported by qualified and sufficient manpower, a well-developed multidisciplinary team approach, electronic infrastructure, and efficient supply utilization are required for effective crisis management.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Humans , Infection Control , Pandemics/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2 , Saudi Arabia/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical presentation of Healthcare Workers (HCWs) affected by COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted at King Saud Medical City (KSMC), Saudi Arabia (KSA). All KSMC employees who acquired COVID-19 between March 22nd to July 15th, 2020 have been included. Their data has been anonymously analyzed. FINDINGS: During the study period, among the 12000 HCWs working at KSMC, 9.75% tested positive for COVID-19. The source of HCWs infections was mainly community acquired (85%) which included incidences of transmission in hospital dormitories. Transmission among coworkers was the main source of hospital acquired incidences. Direct patient care was reported in 99.8% of study subjects among the high-risk areas, compared to 3.4% in low-risk areas (p-value <0.001), 12-h shifts were more common in the medium and high-risk areas, and at least one symptom was reported by 93.1% of HCWs in high-risk areas compared to 81.6% in low-risk areas (p-value <0.001). CONCLUSION: In KSA, for HCWs, reducing lapses in compliance with masking in non-patient care areas should be considered. In KSA the role that hospital dormitories play in the community transmission of COVID-19 among HCWs need further studies.
Subject(s)
Infection Control/methods , Methicillin Resistance , Staphylococcal Infections , Staphylococcus aureus , Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Carrier State/epidemiology , Carrier State/prevention & control , Community-Acquired Infections/epidemiology , Community-Acquired Infections/prevention & control , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Humans , Mass Screening , Population Surveillance , Prevalence , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , Staphylococcal Infections/prevention & control , United States/epidemiology , Universal PrecautionsABSTRACT
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is a non-profit, international organization governed and directed by a board of directors, consisting of four officers and 10 directors. APIC has more than 110 regional Chapters in the United States and more than 10,000 members worldwide. As an authority in infection control, APIC endorses the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP) recommendations published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports
Subject(s)
Immunization/standards , Infection Control/methods , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Occupational Diseases/prevention & control , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Health Personnel , Humans , Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , United StatesABSTRACT
Health care is experiencing turbulent times. Change has become the constant. Complexity and sometimes chaos are common characteristics. Within this context, infection control professionals strive to maintain their practices, achieve excellence, and plan for the future. As demands shift and expectations increase, professionals in infection surveillance, prevention, and control (ISPC) programs must develop strategic agility. This article describes the rationale for strategic thinking and action set within a framework of 6 thought-provoking questions. It also describes a number of techniques to use for thinking strategically, such as designing visions, becoming entrepreneurial, and engaging in creative and futuristic exercises to evaluate possibilities for program direction. These techniques can guide individual professionals or ISPC programs in strategic decision-making that will increase the ability to survive and succeed in the future.
