American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Nov 2013
First step to reducing infection risk as a system: evaluation of infection prevention processes for 71 hospitals.
Hospitals can better focus their efforts to prevent health care-associated infections (HAIs) if they identify specific areas for improvement. ⋯ We suggest evaluating infection prevention policies and practices as a first step to improvement efforts. The next steps include implementing spread of evidence-based practices, with focus on competencies and feedback on performance.
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Am J Infect Control · Nov 2013
Patient empowerment in a hand hygiene program: differing points of view between patients/family members and health care workers in Asian culture.
"Patient empowerment" is an important component of World Health Organization hand hygiene program, but little is known about the intentions and attitude of patients/families and health care workers (HCWs) regarding this. ⋯ There were significant gaps between attitude and intention regarding patient empowerment both among patients/families and HCWs. Special strategies targeting women, the pediatric population, or illiterate people may help improve patient/family participation. Additionally, hand hygiene education should be incorporated into early-stage medical/nursing education to create a facilitating environment. Patients/families and HCWs cooperation is needed to promote the hand hygiene program further.
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Am J Infect Control · Nov 2013
Immunizing health care workers against influenza: a glimpse into the challenges with voluntary programs and considerations for mandatory policies.
Vaccination of health care workers (HCWs) is an important patient safety initiative. It prevents influenza infection among patients and reduces staff illness and absenteeism. Despite these benefits, HCW influenza immunization uptake is low. Therefore, strategies to achieve high immunization coverage in HCWs, barriers to uptake, and perceptions of mandatory influenza immunization policies were discussed in key informant interviews with influenza immunization program planners. ⋯ Participants believed immunization coverage in health care organizations will continue to be suboptimal using existing program strategies. Although participants discussed mandatory immunization as a way to improve uptake, potential obstacles will need to be addressed for this to be implemented successfully.