The Journal of hospital infection
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In a hospital setting, there is a need for rapid detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) to guide isolation measures and targeted admission. ⋯ The SD Biosensor, Biotical and Panbio SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests showed acceptable overall performance, and identified the majority of contagious patients. In the context of high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, RAD tests can be used as a rapid screening tool to guide infection prevention measures and aid targeted admission.
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Public Health England guidance stipulates the use of filtering facepiece (FFP3) masks for healthcare workers engaged in aerosol-generating procedures. Mask fit-testing of respiratory protective equipment is essential to protect healthcare workers from aerosolized particles. ⋯ Twenty percent of healthcare workers tested during the first response to the pandemic failed fit-testing for masks. A small sample revealed that this was most prominent in staff from BAME backgrounds.
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To highlight the urgent need to save lives by implementing best practices in health care delivery, the slogan for 5 May 2021, world hand hygiene day, is "Seconds save lives - clean your hands". The WHO campaign calls to action key stakeholders: health care workers, IPC practitioners, patients and families, facility managers, policy-makers, vaccinators, and the general public who can play critical roles in achieving optimal hand hygiene at the point of care, helping to strengthen society involvement.
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Healthcare workers have been at increased risk of exposure, infection and serious complications from COVID-19. Antibody testing has been used to identify staff members who have been previously infected by SARS-CoV-2, and has been rolled out rapidly in the United Kingdom. A number of comment and editorial articles have been published that raise concerns about antibody testing in this context. We present perceptions of National Health Service (NHS) healthcare workers in relation to SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. ⋯ NHS staff members primarily seek out SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing for an appropriate reason. Based on our findings and given the lack of definite data regarding the extent of immunity protection from a positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody test, significant concerns may be raised regarding the reported interpretation by healthcare workers of positive antibody test results. This needs to be further explored and addressed to protect NHS staff and patients.
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Review Meta Analysis
Effect of skin antiseptic solutions on the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
The most effective skin antiseptic solution to reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) remains unknown. ⋯ Antiseptic agents containing 1% CHG-alcohol were more strongly associated with reduced risk for CRBSI compared with agents containing 0.5% CHG-alcohol or 10% PVI-aqueous.