American journal of infection control
-
Am J Infect Control · Sep 2011
Comparative StudyInfluence of tracheal suctioning systems on health care workers' gloves and equipment contamination: a comparison of closed and open systems.
The impact of tracheal suctioning with an open or a closed system on equipment and health care workers contamination with multidrug-resistant pathogens was compared. Only the closed system reduced hand and equipment contamination during tracheal suctioning. This equipment could be systematically used to reduce risk of cross contamination in the intensive care unit.
-
Am J Infect Control · Sep 2011
Comparative StudyGaming in infection control: a qualitative study exploring the perceptions and experiences of health professionals in Mongolia.
This study aimed to gain insight into the extent to which gaming is responsible for the underreporting of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in Mongolian hospitals, to identify gaming strategies used by health professionals, and to determine how gaming might be prevented. ⋯ Inclusion of the overall HAI rate in the targeted performance indicator set and the strict control and penalization of hospitals with reported HAI cases are factors that have contributed to gaming, which has resulted in deliberate, extreme underreporting of HAIs in Mongolian hospitals.
-
Am J Infect Control · Sep 2011
Preventing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus transmission in hospitals: an Executive Summary of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc, Elimination Guide.
This article is an executive summary of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc, Elimination Guide for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, including the 2009 California Supplement. Infection preventionists are encouraged to obtain the original, full-length Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc, Elimination Guides for more thorough coverage of Staphylococcus aureus prevention.
-
Am J Infect Control · Sep 2011
Cleanliness of portable medical equipment disinfected by nursing staff.
Increased attention has been focused on disinfection by housekeepers, but few data are available on disinfection of equipment by nurses. We used adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence assays and aerobic cultures to assess the cleanliness of portable medical equipment disinfected by nurses between each patient use. We found that the equipment was not being disinfected as per protocol and that education and feedback to nursing are warranted to improve disinfection of medical equipment.
-
Am J Infect Control · Sep 2011
Study on the effectiveness of disinfection with wipes against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and implications for hospital hygiene.
Environmental contamination with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant risk in the epidemiology of infection. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of disinfection in clinical areas by assessment of the wipe-rinse method to MRSA in the immediate patient environment, on both the bed rails and the cleaning wipes. ⋯ The presence of MRSA in the proximity of the patient, ie, the bed rails as well as the cleaning tool (the wipe), was demonstrated in this study. If thorough rinsing was not conducted between wiping, bacteria accumulated on the wipes, which can result in cross transmission.