American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Oct 2021
Review Meta AnalysisIntention to COVID-19 vaccination and associated factors among health care workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies.
To gain insight into willingness and its influencing factors to vaccinate against COVID-19 among health care workers (HCWs), and provide a scientific basis for more reasonable epidemic prevention and control strategies. ⋯ COVID-19 vaccination acceptance of HCWs was at moderate level. Strengthening awareness of COVID-19 vaccine among HCWs, particularly female HCWs under 30 years who have no history of prior influenza vaccination, is crucial to eliminate concerns about vaccination and promote the application of COVID-19 vaccine in this population.
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Am J Infect Control · Sep 2021
Multicenter StudyCovid-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and refusal among Canadian healthcare workers: A multicenter survey.
Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers (HCW) remains poorly understood. We assessed HCWs' willingness to be vaccinated and reasons underlying hesitancy. ⋯ Vaccine hesitancy exists among HCWs. Our findings provide useful information to plan future interventions and improve acceptance.
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Am J Infect Control · Jun 2021
ReviewSafety in the practice of decontaminating filtering facepiece respirators: A systematic review.
Considering the new SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the potential scarcity of material resources, the reuse of personal protective equipment such as filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) for N95 filtering or higher is being discussed, mainly regarding the effectiveness and safety of cleaning, disinfection and sterilization processes. ⋯ There is a complex relationship between the FFR raw materials and the cycle conditions of the decontamination methods, evidencing the need for validating FFRs by models and manufacturers, as well as the process. Some methods may require additional tests to demonstrate the safety of FFRs for use due to toxicity.
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Am J Infect Control · Jun 2021
Availability and Crisis Standards of Care for Personal Protective Equipment During Fall 2020 of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Study by the APIC COVID-19 Task Force.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages in spring 2020, necessitating crisis protocols. ⋯ Although most health care facilities had adequate PPE in fall 2020, PPE supply chains were still disrupted, resulting in the need to reuse or decontaminate PPE. Ongoing gaps in PPE access need to be addressed in order to minimize health care associated infections and occupational illness.
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Am J Infect Control · Jun 2021
Readability, content, and quality of COVID-19 patient education materials from academic medical centers in the United States.
SARS-CoV-2 has spread rapidly resulted in a global pandemic and public health crisis. The internet is a frequently used resource for providing patient education materials (PEMs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the readability, content, and quality of web-based PEMs on COVID-19 from US academic medical centers. ⋯ Despite availability of web-based PEMs for COVID-19, the readability was significantly higher than the National Institute of Health and US Department of Health and Human Services recommended sixth grade reading level and actionability of PEMs was low. It is critical to provide readable PEMs on COVID-19 to effectively disseminate accurate information and facilitate patients' understanding of the virus, how it spreads, and how to protect themselves.