Results of an Integrative Analysis: A Call for Contextualizing HIV and AIDS Clinical Practice Guidelines to Support Evidence-Based Practice.

BACKGROUND: Practice guidelines aim to improve the standard of care for people living with HIV/AIDS. Successfully implementing guidelines requires tailoring them to populations served and to social and organizational influences on care. AIMS: To examine dimensions of context, which nurses and midwives described as having a significant impact on their care of patients living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and Jamaica and to determine whether HIV/AIDS guidelines include adaptations congruent with these dimensions of context. METHODS: Two sets of data were used. The first came from a qualitative study. In-depth interviews were conducted with purposively selected nurses, midwives, and nurse managers from 21 districts in four study countries. A coding framework was iteratively developed and themes inductively identified. Context dimensions were derived from these themes. A second data set of published guidelines for HIV/AIDS care was then assembled. Guidelines were identified through Google and PubMed searches. Using a deductive integrative analysis approach, text related to context dimensions was extracted from guidelines and categorized into problem and strategy statements. RESULTS: Ninety-six individuals participated in qualitative interviews. Four discrete dimensions of context were identified: health workforce adequacy, workplace exposure risk, workplace consequences for nurses living with HIV/AIDS, and the intersection of work and family life. Guidelines most often acknowledged health human resource constraints and presented mitigation strategies to offset them, and least often discussed workplace consequences and the intersections of family and work life. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Guidelines should more consistently acknowledge diverse implementation contexts, propose how recommendations can be adapted to these realities, and suggest what role frontline healthcare providers have in realizing the structural changes necessary for healthier work environments and better patient care. Guideline recommendations should include more explicit advice on adapting their recommendations to different care conditions.

Validity and reliability of the Questionnaire for Compliance with Standard Precaution.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Questionnaire for Compliance with Standard Precaution for nurses. METHODS: This methodological study was conducted with 121 nurses from health care facilities in Sao Paulo's countryside, who were represented by two high-complexity and by three average-complexity health care facilities. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha and stability was calculated by the intraclass correlation coefficient, through test-retest. Convergent, discriminant, and known-groups construct validity techniques were conducted. RESULTS: The questionnaire was found to be reliable (Cronbach's alpha: 0.80; intraclass correlation coefficient: (0.97) In regards to the convergent and discriminant construct validity, strong correlation was found between compliance to standard precautions, the perception of a safe environment, and the smaller perception of obstacles to follow such precautions (r = 0.614 and r = 0.537, respectively). The nurses who were trained on the standard precautions and worked on the health care facilities of higher complexity were shown to comply more (p = 0.028 and p = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian version of the Questionnaire for Compliance with Standard Precaution was shown to be valid and reliable. Further investigation must be conducted with nurse samples that are more representative of the Brazilian reality. The use of the questionnaire may support the creation of educational measures considering the possible gaps that can be identified, focusing on the workers' health and on the patients' safety.

Validity and reliability of the questionnaire for compliance with standard precaution / Validade e confiabilidade do questionário de adesão às precauções-padrão

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE : To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Questionnaire for Compliance with Standard Precaution for nurses. METHODS : This methodological study was conducted with 121 nurses from health care facilities in Sao Paulo's countryside, who were represented by two high-complexity and by three average-complexity health care facilities. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha and stability was calculated by the intraclass correlation coefficient, through test-retest. Convergent, discriminant, and known-groups construct validity techniques were conducted. RESULTS : The questionnaire was found to be reliable (Cronbach's alpha: 0.80; intraclass correlation coefficient: (0.97) In regards to the convergent and discriminant construct validity, strong correlation was found between compliance to standard precautions, the perception of a safe environment, and the smaller perception of obstacles to follow such precautions (r = 0.614 and r = 0.537, respectively). The nurses who were trained on the standard precautions and worked on the health care facilities of higher complexity were shown to comply more (p = 0.028 and p = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS : The Brazilian version of the Questionnaire for Compliance with Standard Precaution was shown to be valid and reliable. Further investigation must be conducted with nurse samples that are more representative of the Brazilian reality. The use of the questionnaire may support the creation of educational measures considering the possible gaps that can be identified, focusing on the workers' health and on the patients' safety.

RESUMO OBJETIVO : Avaliar a validade e a confiabilidade do Questionário de Adesão às Precauções-padrão em enfermeiros. MÉTODOS : Estudo metodológico realizado com 121 enfermeiros de estabelecimentos de saúde do interior de São Paulo, 2012, representados por dois estabelecimentos de alta complexidade e três de média complexidade. A consistência interna foi calculada pelo alfa de Cronbach e a estabilidade pelo coeficiente de correlação intraclasse, por meio de teste-reteste. Foi realizada a validação de construto convergente, divergente e por grupos conhecidos. RESULTADOS: O questionário mostrou-se confiável (alfa de Cronbach: 0,80; coeficiente de correlação intraclasse: 0,97). Quanto à validade de construto convergente e divergente, foi verificada forte correlação entre a adesão às precauções-padrão e a percepção de clima de segurança e a menor percepção de obstáculos para segui-las (r = 0,614 e r = -0,537, respectivamente). Enfermeiros que receberam treinamento sobre as precauções-padrão e atuantes nos estabelecimentos de maior complexidade mostraram-se mais aderentes (p = 0,028 e p = 0,006, respectivamente). CONCLUSÕES : A versão brasileira do questionário de adesão às precauções-padrão mostrou-se válida e confiável. Futuras investigações devem ser realizadas com amostras de enfermeiros mais representativas da realidade brasileira. A utilização do questionário pode auxiliar na proposição de medidas educativas frente às possíveis lacunas identificáveis, com enfoque na saúde do trabalhador e na segurança do paciente.

Prevalencia de infección por virus de hepatitis B en pacientes pediátricos hemato-oncológicos / Infection prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus in pediatric hematology-oncology patients

Antecedentes y objetivos: El virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) se transmite por vía sexual y por vía sanguínea. En la mayoría de los brotes conocidos en hospitales el contagio se ha asociado a prácticas poco seguras de inyección, realización de procedimientos, y a la falta de adherencia a las precauciones universales para prevención de infecciones. Por lo cual se quiso determinar la prevalencia de infecciones por VHB, en pacientes Hemato-oncológico sometidos a tratamiento de quimio- terapia y/o transfusión de hemoderivados. Pacientes y Métodos: Este estudio descriptivo detalla la prevalencia y las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los pacientes de la Sala de Hemato-oncología Pediátrica del Hospital Nacional Dr. Mario Cata rino Rivas (HNMCR), a quienes se les diagnosticó infección VHB, entre 1999-2011. Resultados: La prevalencia de infección por VHB en pacientes hemato-oncológicos fue de un 1.86%, el 64% de estos pacientes contaban con un esquema de vacunación completo. En todos los pacientes se les diagnosticó primero una patología hemato-oncológica y fue hasta después de un año o más que se realizó el diagnóstico de infección por VHB. Conclusiones: las transfusiones son un factor de riesgo inminente en pacientes que las ameritan sobre todo en los pacientes con diagnósticos hemato-oncológicos...(AU)

Recommended precaution procedures protect healthcare workers from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.

OBJECTIVES: The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus can spread from person to person and may cause nosocomial outbreaks among healthcare workers (HCWs). The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). We investigated the compliance of HCWs with PPE usage during the follow-up of patients, and also the number of risky contacts that occurred between patients and HCWs. We also aimed to determine the seroprevalence of CCHF virus in HCWs. METHODS: This study was conducted at Cumhuriyet University Education and Research Hospital, a medical center located in a highly endemic area for CCHF where a total of 1284 confirmed CCHF patients were followed-up between 2002 and 2012. All HCWs who were at risk of CCHF virus contact and infection were included in the study. The compliance of the HCWs with PPE usage and the number of contacts that had occurred were recorded. HCW serum samples were analyzed for CCHF virus IgM and IgG by ELISA. RESULTS: The total rates of PPE usage were 93.7% for gowns, 77.4% for gloves, and 38.9% for masks; the highest compliance was detected in the infectious diseases ward: 100%, 88.6%, and 82.9%, respectively. A total of four HCWs had a history of high-risk contact with contaminated material (two percutaneous exposure and two mucosal contacts), but the number of low-risk contacts was quite high. The total seroprevalence rate was only 0.53%. CONCLUSIONS: Although the HCWs at our medical center have dealt with an extremely high number of CCHF patients during the last decade, the total seropositivity for CCHFV IgG was only 0.53%. This low rate may be a result of high compliance with PPE usage and also regular education programs.

A quantitative assessment of facial protection systems in elective hip arthroplasty.

We aimed to assess the risk to surgeons of blood splatter during total hip arthroplasty. Hoods from personal protection systems used in 34 consecutive total hip replacements were collected and the area of blood splatter was measured and compared to goggles and visors. Thirty one primary THA's (13 cemented, 4 hybrid, 14 uncemented) and 3 revisions (1 hybrid, 2 uncemented) were collected. Splashes were detected on all of the masks with a mean of 034% cover. Splatter was greatest for the operating surgeon, followed by the first assistant, though the difference was not statistically significant. Operating personnel were at greater risk of contamination during uncemented arthroplasty (p < 0.0001; 95% CI). On average 50.60% and 45.40% of blood cover was outside the area protected by goggles and visors respectively. There was a significant difference between the Personal Protection Systems (PPS) and goggles (p = 0.0231; 95% CI) as well as between the PPS and visors (p = 0.0293; 95% CI).

Universal precautions and surgery in Sierra Leone: the unprotected workforce.

BACKGROUND: Surgical patients and healthcare workers in sub-Saharan Africa are at an increased risk of contracting HIV. Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world and has a documented HIV prevalence rate of 2%. Because surgeons and other healthcare staff in sub-Saharan Africa are at risk for HIV exposure from their patients, an assessment of protective supplies and equipment was considered essential. METHODS: A Society of International Humanitarian Surgeons team in cooperation with the Sierra Leonean Ministry of Health and Sanitation undertook a survey of HIV-protective supplies and equipment at government hospitals in Sierra Leone. The presence of eye protection, sterile gloves, aprons, functioning suction machines, and sharps containers was recorded and compared with a local mission hospital and a local private hospital. RESULTS: Only 20% of government hospitals in Sierra Leone have adequate stores of sterile gloves or eye protection. Suction pumps and aprons are available in only 30-40% of facilities, respectively, and only half have functioning sterilizers and sharps containers. The mission and private hospitals were fully stocked. CONCLUSIONS: Although surgical healthcare workers are at risk for exposure to HIV, resources for their protection at government hospitals in Sierra Leone are severely lacking. The Society of International Humanitarian Surgeons is developing a program to provide protective supplies and equipment to hospitals in Sierra Leone, but additional efforts by other organizations working to decrease the spread of HIV are essential.

Assessment of preventive measures for accidental blood exposure in operating theaters: a survey of 20 hospitals in Northern France.

BACKGROUND: Accidental exposures to blood of body fluids (ABE) expose health care workers (HCW) to the risk of occupational infection. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to assess the prevention equipment available in the operating theater (OT) with reference to guidelines or recommendations and its use by the staff in that OT on that day and past history of ABE. METHODS: Correspondents of the Centre de Coordination de la Lutte contre les Infections Nosocomiales (CCLIN) Paris-Nord ABE Surveillance Taskforce carried out an observational multicenter survey in 20 volunteer French hospitals. RESULTS: In total, 260 operating staff (including 151 surgeons) were investigated. Forty-nine of the 260 (18.8%) staff said they double-gloved for all patients and procedures, changing gloves hourly. Blunt-tipped suture needles were available in 49.1% of OT; 42 of 76 (55.3%) of the surgeons in these OT said they never used them. Overall, 60% and 64% of surgeons had never self-tested for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), respectively. Fifty-five surgeons said they had sustained a total of 96 needlestick injuries during the month preceding the survey. Ten of these surgeons had notified of 1 needlestick injury each to the occupational health department of their hospital (notification rate, 10.4%). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of needlestick injury remained high in operating personnel in France in 2000. Although hospitals may improve access to protective devices, operating staff mindful of safety in the OT should increase their use of available devices, their knowledge of their own serostatus, and their ABE notification rate to guide well-targeted prevention efforts.

Safe inoculation of blood and bone marrow for liquid culture detection of mycobacteria.

BACKGROUND: Needlestick injuries confer an unnecessary risk of occupational bloodborne infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. After an accidental needlestick injury, procedures for inoculation of liquid culture media for rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and other mycobacteria from blood and bone marrow specimens were reviewed. AIM: To identify a safer transfer device, which could replace the ordinary syringe in inoculation of liquid culture vials. METHODS: We identified a transfer device to transfer blood or bone marrow specimens from bedside tubes into liquid culture vials. CONCLUSION: The changed procedure will reduce the risk of needlestick accidents and be of benefit to other microbiological laboratories using the same or similar inoculation techniques.

Safety issues, risks, and precautions for dermatologic surgery.

The use of universal precautions can provide an effective barrier to transmission of viral infections. The most common route of occupational human immunodeficiency virus transmission to a health care provider is a self-inflicted needle stick with a contaminated needle. Use of the no-touch suturing technique in dermatologic surgery can lower the risk of such self-inflicted needle sticks.