A Ambrosch1, F Rockmann2. 1. Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology and Hygiene, Barmherzige Brüder Hospital, Regensburg, Germany. Electronic address: Andreas.ambrosch@barmherzige-regensburg.de. 2. Emergency Department, Barmherzige Brüder Hospital, Regensburg, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Rapid identification of patients infected with influenza virus, precise case definition and strict hygiene measures are important for the prevention of nosocomial transmission. AIM: To prove the usefulness of a case definition for rapid identification of patients with influenza and to investigate the effect of two-step hygiene management, including the continuous use of surgical masks by hospital staff, on the rate of nosocomial infections. METHODS: All patients hospitalized between January and March 2015 with suspected influenza were enrolled. Real-time polymerase chain reaction testing for influenza was performed. Infected patients were managed according to the national hygiene guidelines, including the use of surgical masks by hospital staff during close contact with infected patients. When influenza activity increased, the continuous use of surgical masks by hospital staff was implemented as an add-on measure. FINDINGS: Most patients enrolled in this study were elderly (N=212, mean age 75 years). Frequency of cough was the only clinical parameter of respiratory infection that differed between influenza-negative and influenza-positive patients. Compared with the targeted use of surgical masks during close contact with infected patients, the continuous use of surgical masks for the entire working shift resulted in a reduction of nosocomial infections from 31% to 16%, respectively (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Discrimination between influenza A and other respiratory infections in elderly hospitalized patients was not possible based on clinical characteristics. With regard to hygiene management, the continuous use of surgical masks by hospital staff seems to be effective for the prevention of nosocomial infections.
BACKGROUND: Rapid identification of patientsinfected with influenza virus, precise case definition and strict hygiene measures are important for the prevention of nosocomial transmission. AIM: To prove the usefulness of a case definition for rapid identification of patients with influenza and to investigate the effect of two-step hygiene management, including the continuous use of surgical masks by hospital staff, on the rate of nosocomial infections. METHODS: All patients hospitalized between January and March 2015 with suspected influenza were enrolled. Real-time polymerase chain reaction testing for influenza was performed. Infectedpatients were managed according to the national hygiene guidelines, including the use of surgical masks by hospital staff during close contact with infectedpatients. When influenza activity increased, the continuous use of surgical masks by hospital staff was implemented as an add-on measure. FINDINGS: Most patients enrolled in this study were elderly (N=212, mean age 75 years). Frequency of cough was the only clinical parameter of respiratory infection that differed between influenza-negative and influenza-positive patients. Compared with the targeted use of surgical masks during close contact with infectedpatients, the continuous use of surgical masks for the entire working shift resulted in a reduction of nosocomial infections from 31% to 16%, respectively (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Discrimination between influenza A and other respiratory infections in elderly hospitalized patients was not possible based on clinical characteristics. With regard to hygiene management, the continuous use of surgical masks by hospital staff seems to be effective for the prevention of nosocomial infections.
Authors: Claas Baier; Christin Linderkamp; Andreas Beilken; Felicitas Thol; Michael Heuser; Ella Ebadi; Tina Ganzenmueller; Albert Heim; Franz-Christoph Bange Journal: GMS Hyg Infect Control Date: 2018-09-24