American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Mar 2015
Oral hygiene protocols in intensive care units in a large Brazilian city.
This study investigated oral hygiene protocols for patients in intensive care units (ICUs) in 25 of 30 hospitals in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, using a questionnaire. Although all hospital representatives said there was a protocol for the maintenance of patients' oral hygiene, it was observed that there was no standardization. Only 2 hospitals had dentists on the ICU staff. Cetylpyridinium chloride was the most frequently used antiseptic, even in patients under mechanical ventilation.
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Am J Infect Control · Mar 2015
Keyboard cleanliness: a controlled study of the residual effect of chlorhexidine gluconate.
A controlled trial of once daily cleaning of computer keyboards in an intensive care unit was performed comparing 2% chlorhexidine gluconate-70% isopropyl alcohol (CHG) and a chlorine dioxide-based product used as a standard in our hospital. A study before and after the introduction of once daily keyboard cleaning with CHG in the wider hospital was also completed. Cleaning with CHG showed a sustained and significant reduction in bacterial colony forming units compared with the chlorine dioxide-based product, demonstrating its unique advantage of maintaining continuous keyboard cleanliness over time.
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Am J Infect Control · Mar 2015
Geospatial patterns in influenza vaccination: evidence from uninsured and publicly insured children in North Carolina.
The purpose of this study was to explore geospatial patterns in influenza vaccination. ⋯ To the extent that the geospatial clustering of vaccination rates is the result of social influences, targeting interventions to increase influenza vaccination among school-aged children in one area could also lead to increases in neighboring areas.
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Am J Infect Control · Feb 2015
Differences between novel and conventional surveillance paradigms of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
To investigate the concordance between novel and conventional surveillance paradigms for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). ⋯ In our study population, novel VAE surveillance only detected one-third of conventional VAP cases. Thus, more studies are needed to further validate VAE surveillance compared with conventional VAP by using strong microbiologic criteria, particularly bronchoalveolar lavage with a protected specimen brush for diagnosing VAP.
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Am J Infect Control · Jan 2015
Current practices and barriers to the use of facemasks and respirators among hospital-based health care workers in Vietnam.
This study aimed to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards the use of facemasks among hospital-based health care workers (HCWs) in Hanoi, Vietnam. ⋯ In low and middle-income countries, access to appropriate levels of personal protective equipment may be restricted owing to competing demands for funding in hospital settings. It is important that issues around reuse and extended use of medical masks/respirators and decontamination of cloth masks are addressed in policy documents to minimize the risk of infection.