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Continued hospital transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Canada raised new questions about infection control precautions and whether those precautions were providing enough protection for health care workers. So far, swift identification of cases and adherence to infection control procedures have prevented widespread infection of U.S. health care workers, as has occurred in Asia and Canada.
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Reducing the risk of serious nosocomial infections is being considered as a 2004 national patient safety goal by the Joint Commission.
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Given recent events from emerging infections to the threat of bioterrorism, infection control professionals likely will be prepared for unannounced visits from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. They cant afford not to be.
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Major advances in reducing sharps injuries have not yet pervaded the operating room, where one out of four sharps injuries takes place. Employee health must be involved in helping change attitudes in the OR to promote safety, sharps safety experts say.
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Here is the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions guidance for the management of exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome in health care settings.
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This article outlines symptoms of suspected and probable cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Targeted enforcement of the most hazardous workplaces, including nursing homes, would increase in the proposed FY 2004 budget for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA also announced an enhanced enforcement policy for employers who expose their workers to serious safety and health hazards and who continue to defy worker safety and health regulations.
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For a few days last fall, a hospitalist in Duluth, MN, came to work with a lingering cough that he thought was a stubborn case of bronchitis. In fact, he had an active case of tuberculosis and had inadvertently exposed patients and co-workers.
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Despite reports about a possible link between heart problems and the smallpox vaccine, most vaccination sites have reported little more than discomfort among the vaccinees. At one Omaha, NE, hospital, prescreening and preparation led to a smooth, problem-free experience.