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Biomedical subjects

R J Sharbaugh

Publications and source records attributed to R J Sharbaugh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

APIC position paper: immunization. Association for Professionals in Infection and Epidemiology, Inc.

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (APIC) is a multidisciplinary organization of more than 11,000 health care professionals who practice infection control and epidemiology within a variety of health care settings. As an authority in infection control, APIC endorses the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations that are published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. APIC supports the immunization initiative of the Healthy People 2000: National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives, which contains a national strategy for significantly improving the health of the nation, including preventing infectious diseases through immunization.

Adult↗

APIC position paper: hepatitis C exposure in the health care setting. Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc (APIC), is a multidisciplinary, voluntary, international organization of professionals who practice infection control and the application of epidemiology in all health settings. APIC is an international leader in prevention and control of infection transmission.

Hepatitis C↗

APIC position paper: responsibility for interpretation of the PPD tuberculin skin test. Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc (APIC) is a multidisciplinary, voluntary, international organization of professionals who practice infection control and the application of epidemiology in all health settings. APIC is an international leader in prevention and control of infection transmission.

Humans↗

The risk of occupational exposure and infection with infectious diseases: Part 3.

This article is the third of a series devoted to the epidemiology of selected infectious diseases known to be transmitted in health care settings. Part 1 (Home Care Provider 1998;3:251-2) consisted of a brief review of general preventive measures associated with standard and transmission-based precautions. Part 2 (Home Care Provider 1998;3:304-5) included a discussion of specific viral illnesses associated with blood-borne transmission. This article will address cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes infections along with influenza and meningitis.

Community Health Nursing↗

The risk of occupational exposure and infection with infectious disease.

The diversity of potentially infectious agents that frequent the health care environment continues to increase. As a result, healthcare workers are at some degree of risk, for exposure to, and infection by, a variety of infectious diseases or conditions. This article is devoted to the epidemiology of major infectious diseases and conditions known to be transmitted in health care settings. In addition, the relative risk of occupational exposure to and infection by these diseases is also discussed as are general preventive measures associated with Standard and Transmission-based Precautions.

Blood-Borne Pathogens↗

The risk of occupational exposure and infection with infectious diseases: Part 2.

This article is the second of a series devoted to the epidemiology of selected infectious diseases known to be transmitted in health care settings. In subsequent issues, the relative risk of occupational exposure to and infection with these diseases will be discussed. Part 1 (October 1998 Home Care Provider) consisted of a brief review of general preventive measures associated with standard and transmission-based precautions. This article will address specific viral illnesses associated with blood-borne transmission.

Community Health Nursing↗

Management of job-related illnesses and exposures.

Home health agencies are responsible for implementing measures to prevent further transmission of infection, which occasionally requires the exclusion of health care personnel from work or direct patient contact. Decisions on work restrictions should be based on the mode of transmission and the specific epidemiology of the disease or condition in question.

Community Health Nursing↗

Principles of disinfection.

For more than 150 years, we have known that medical and surgical devices may serve as vehicles for the transmission of infectious agents to a susceptible host. During that time, our knowledge and experience involving microbial inactivation through disinfection have become quite sophisticated. As a result, infectious complications associated with patient care are now the exception rather than the rule.

Disinfectants↗

The risk of occupational exposure and infection with infectious diseases (Part I).

The variety of potentially infectious agents that frequent the health care environment is indeed large. As a result, health care workers are at some degree of risk for exposure to a variety of infectious diseases. However, as healthy individuals, we can protect ourselves quite successfully by following the guidelines that govern personal hygiene and immunization and adhering to accepted infection control standards of patient care, disinfection, antisepsis, and disease isolation. A clear understanding of the mechanisms of disease transmission is also important in this regard.

Community Health Nursing↗

Administering and interpreting the PPD tuberculin skin test.

Early detection and treatment are of paramount importance in our efforts to bring tuberculosis (TB) under control. In this context, screening high-risk populations for active TB and TB infection is crucial. Most individuals who become infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis do not develop overt disease.

Humans↗

The epidemiology of disease transmission.

As inhabitants of the planet Earth, we live in a veritable sea of microorganisms. Virtually every aspect of our environment is heavily populated with different forms of microbial life. From the air we breathe to the food we eat, our daily existence is in the direct presence of literally billions of microorganisms.

Communicable Disease Control↗

Clostridium difficile: a microbial enigma.

Nearly 150 years ago, Louis Pasteur introduced the world to the science of microbiology and to the fact that our environment contains microbes capable of causing disease. Subsequent to these discoveries, a pandemic of health care-related staphylococcal infections nearly a century later led to the recognition of hospital-associated (nosocomial) infection. Clearly such infections (nosohusial) now also afflict nursing home residents and patients who receive home health care.

Clostridioides difficile↗

Understanding viral hepatitis B.

Epidemic jaundice, known today as viral hepatitis, was described by Hippocrates nearly 2500 years ago. Yet only in the past 20 years or so have the main viruses that cause hepatitis been elucidated. During this short interval, the main modes of transmission and effective methods of prevention also have been described.

Hepatitis B↗

Controlling the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms.

Gram-negative bacilli (GNB), enterococci, and staphylococci are common members of the human microflora and are often the cause of infectious complications in the elderly, the severely ill, and the immunocompromised patient. In addition, patients with invasive devices (e.g., trachs, feeding tubes, catheters), open wounds, and those whose normal microbial flora have been altered by antimicrobial therapy are also at risk for infection with these microorganisms. Urinary tract infection, bacteremia, and infected wounds are the principal anatomic sites involved.

Bacterial Infections↗

Influenza--it's that time again.

Influenza virus infections regularly increase serious morbidity and mortality in the United States. From 1972 to 1985, between 10,000 and 40,000 deaths were attributed to influenza each year. More than 90% of these deaths were individuals 65 years or older.

Age Distribution↗

Scabies: an itchy problem.

Scabies-a small word that can, and often does, impart great anxiety and apprehension among health care workers (HCWs). Yet the epidemiology associated with this human parasitic infestation is well understood, as are the mechanisms for both its treatment and control.

Community Health Nursing↗

An evaluation of the efficacy of a hospital infection control program.

To establish the credibility of the hospital infection control program at a major southeastern medical university hospital, the incidence rates of nosocomial infections were analyzed statistically following the implementation of an extensive infection control program. Continuous hospital-wide surveillance included documentation of all detected nosocomial infections by both site and service. Chi-square analysis of the incidence of infection during the years 1977 to 1979 revealed significant decreases in several distinct areas. The overall incidence rate of infection steadily declined from 100.8/1000 admissions in 1977 to 59.9/1000 in 1979. Decreases in the incidence of urinary tract, respiratory tract, and surgical wound infections were primarily involved. Analysis of incidence rates by service revealed that general surgery was responsible for much of the observed decrease. In contrast, none of the intensive care units exhibited a significant decline in morbidity rates over the 3-year period. It is concluded that involvement of infection control personnel at all levels of patient care as a part of a sophisticated hospital infection control program can result in a significant reduction in the incidence of nosocomial infections.

Cross Infection↗