Title

Healthcare Personnel And Nosocomial Transmission Of Pandemic 2009 Influenza

Keywords

2009 HINI; Aerosolizing; Healthcare personnel; Influenza; Influenza-like illness; Intensive care unit; Isolation; N95 respirator; Nosocomial; Pandemic; Personal protective equipment; Precautions; Transmission

Abstract

Knowledge regarding the modes of transmission of pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza continues to develop, as do recommendations for the prevention of spread within healthcare facilities. The adoption of the most prudent, multifaceted approaches is recommended until there is significant evidence to reduce protective measures. The greatest threat to healthcare personnel and patients appears to be exposure to patients, healthcare personnel, or visitors who have not been recognized as contagious. The processes used within healthcare facilities must hold this concept central to any infection control plan and act in a preventive manner. This article focuses on the development of an algorithm for intensive care unit intake precautions, based on the early identification of potential source patients, as well as appropriate selection and adequate use of personal protective equipment. Visitor management, hand and respiratory hygiene, and cough etiquette have been used as measures to decrease the spread of infection. Vaccination of healthcare personnel, combined with work furlough for ill workers, is also explored. Recommendations include the elimination of potential exposures, engineering and administrative controls, and utilization of personal protective equipment. Copyright © 2010 by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Publication Title

Critical Care Medicine

Volume

38

Issue

SUPPL. 4

Number of Pages

-

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181d41d45

Socpus ID

77950232912 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/77950232912

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS