Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Infection Control Practitioners”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 793 records · Page 44Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Infections in patients with type 2 diabetes in general practice.

BACKGROUND: The association between diabetes, glycaemic control and the prevalence of infections seems obvious to most general practitioners. However, this association is still not very clear. AIM: The aim of this study in general practice was to investigate which infections patients with treated type 2 diabetes present to their general practitioner, and to study whether a relationship exists between glycaemic status and these infections. METHOD: Over a period of 2 years eight fasting glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin values were related to the presented infections in 328 patients. RESULTS: 193 patients presented with one or more infections (a total of 458 infections, with a mean of 2.4 (+/- 1.9) infections). Patients with and without infections did not differ in mean glycosylated haemoglobin and fasting glucose levels. There was no difference in presentation of infections between well controlled and less controlled patients. However, patients who presented with an infection showed significantly higher mean glycosylated haemoglobin levels in that period compared to the mean levels in periods without any infection. CONCLUSION: Considering the limitations of this study, hyperglycaemia is more likely a result of than a cause of common infections.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Skin problems associated with routine wearing of protective gloves in dental practice.

Guidelines on cross-infection control recommend the wearing of operating gloves by dental practitioners whilst carrying out routine examinations and treatment on all patients. However, there are a number of dermatological problems that may be associated with the routine wearing of protective gloves in dental practice. This paper describes the aetiology and clinical features of three types of contact dermatitis, ie irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis and contact urticaria. The management of these skin conditions is discussed. Advice is given concerning routine handcare for all dental practitioners.

Dentists↗
PubMed1993

Loracarbef: a new orally administered carbacephem antibiotic.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the in vitro activity, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, and relative merits of loracarbef, a new orally administered carbacephem antibiotic. DATA SOURCES: Pertinent literature was identified by a review of selected journals and a MEDLINE search. Additional information was provided by the manufacturer of loracarbef. STUDY SELECTION: All studies that have evaluated the clinical efficacy of loracarbef were included. In vitro studies were included if they used similar methodologies. Additional information was incorporated regarding the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and adverse effects of loracarbef. DATA SYNTHESIS: Loracarbef has antibacterial activity against most community-acquired respiratory tract, skin and skin structure, and urinary tract pathogens. The drug is well absorbed after oral administration and plasma concentrations achieved in patients are greater than the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentrations for most of the above bacteria. Although the majority of the clinical studies with loracarbef have methodologic deficiencies, loracarbef therapy has demonstrated similar efficacy in the treatment of upper respiratory tract (except otitis media), lower respiratory tract, skin and skin-structure, and urinary tract infections compared with accepted antibiotics. Potential advantages of the new carbacephem may be improved patient compliance with its less frequent dosing schedule (once or twice a day, depending on the infection), and a low incidence of adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary data indicate that loracarbef may be an alternative agent for the treatment of a variety of community-acquired infections. Additional clinical experience and rigorously controlled comparative clinical trials are necessary to enable practitioners to fully define the therapeutic role of loracarbef.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2006

Post-Hurricane Katrina challenge: Vibrio vulnificus.

PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Vibrio vulnificus, a rare organism that surfaced following Huricane Katrina and caused serious problems for many victims. DATA SOURCES: Selected scientific literature supplemented with case presentations of patients seen following Katrina. CONCLUSIONS: After Hurricane Katrina and as a result of extensive flooding of below-sea-level New Orleans, toxic waters contaminated many areas of the city. As a result of this extensive flooding of toxic waters, people were exposed to V. vulnificus. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Consider V. vulnificus in the differential diagnosis and culture all wounds for this organism in any patients exposed to contaminated seawater. Prompt initiation of antibiotic treatment, especially before the onset of septic shock, provides the best outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Antimicrobial resistance in the hospital setting: impact, trends, and infection control measures.

The growing threat posed by antibiotic-resistant pathogens is a major challenge for infectious disease practitioners and public health officials. In recent years, the prevalence of resistance among key bacterial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Enterococcus sp, has increased at an alarming rate. The impact of antimicrobial resistance is manifold and can ultimately lead to treatment failure and increased morbidity and mortality. To control the spread of resistance and subsequent impact, a multifaceted approach is warranted. Awareness and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, prudent use of antibiotics, and compliance with infection control techniques may help contain the emergence and spread of resistant organisms.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1988

Organization and operation of the hospital-infection-control program of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is located in the center of the United States in Eastern Iowa, has 1,000 hospital beds, and is the largest university owned teaching hospital in the country. Over 35,000 patients are admitted each year. The infection control efforts began in 1969 and were broadened in 1976 with the establishment and implementation of the Program of Epidemiology directed by W.J. Hierholzer, Jr., M.D., hospital epidemiologist. Hospital-wide surveillance is routinely performed by three and a half full-time equivalent LPN practitioners who assess problems and evaluate data essential to realistic identification of nosocomial infection rates, implementation of controls and evaluation of control measures. Nosocomial infection surveillance, utilizing modified CDC criteria, has been performed since July 1976. Ward rounds are made by staff, utilizing nursing care and medication Kardex's, microbiology, hematology and X-ray reports. Importantly, the surveillance system is being validated by concurrent prospective surveys to determine the sensitivity and specificity of reporting data. Outbreaks/epidemics of infections, such as Legionella pneumonia, diarrhea of unknown species, and wounds, as well as burns from manufactured changes in cautery grounds, have been identified and controlled before they have become major epidemics. Surveillance has identified one epidemic per 10,000 patients admitted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1994

Quality standard for antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgical procedures. The Infectious Diseases Society of America.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this quality standard are 1) to provide an implementation mechanism that will facilitate the reliable administration of prophylactic antimicrobial agents to patients undergoing operative procedures in which such a practice is judged to be beneficial and 2) to provide a guideline that will help local hospital committees formulate policies and set up mechanisms for their implementation. Although standards in the medical literature spell out recommendations for specific procedures, agents, schedules, and doses, other reports document that these standards frequently are not followed in practice. OPTIONS: We have specified the procedures in which the administration of prophylactic antimicrobial agents has been shown to be beneficial, those in which this practice is widely thought to be beneficial but in which compelling evidence is lacking, and those in which this practice is controversial. We have examined the evidence regarding the optimal timing of drug administration, the optimal dose, and the optimal duration of prophylaxis. OUTCOMES: The intended outcome is more uniform and reliable administration of prophylactic antibiotics in those circumstances where their value has been demonstrated or their use has been judged by the local practicing medical community to be desirable. The result should be a reduction in rates of postoperative wound infection with a limitation on the quantities of antimicrobial agents used in circumstances where they are not likely to help. EVIDENCE: Many prospective, randomized, controlled trials comparing placebo with antibiotic and comparing one antibiotic with another have been conducted. In addition, some trials have compared the efficacy of different doses or methods of administration. Other papers have reported on the apparent efficacy of administration at different times and on actual practice in specific communities. Only a small group of relevant articles found through 1993 are cited herein. When authoritative reviews are available, these--rather than an exhaustive list of original references--are cited. VALUES: We assumed that reducing rates of postoperative infection was valuable but that reducing the total amount of antimicrobial agents employed was also worthwhile. The cost of and morbidity attributable to postoperative wound infections should be weighed against the cost and potential morbidity associated with excessive use of antimicrobial agents. BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS: More reliable administration of antimicrobial agents according to recognized guidelines should prevent some postoperative wound infections while lowering the total quantity of these drugs used. No harms are anticipated. The costs involved are those of the efforts needed on a local basis to design and implement the mechanism that supports uniform and reliable administration of prophylactic antibiotics. RECOMMENDATIONS: All patients for whom prophylactic antimicrobial agents are recommended should receive them. The agents given should be appropriate in light of published guidelines. A short duration of prophylaxis (usually < 24 hours) is recommended. VALIDATION: More than 50 experts in infectious disease and 10 experts in surgical infectious disease and surgical subspecialties reviewed the standard. In addition, the methods for its implementation were reviewed by the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists. SPONSORS: The Quality Standards Subcommittee of the Clinical Affairs Committee of the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) developed the standard. The subcommittee was composed of representatives of the IDSA (Drs. Gross and McGowan), the Society for Hospital Epidemiology of America (Dr. Wenzel), the Surgical Infection Society (Dr. Dellinger), the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (Dr. Krause), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Dr. Martone), the Obstetrics and Gynecology Infectious Diseases Society (Dr. Sweet), and the Association of Practitioners of Infection Contr

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1998

Risk factors for and prevention of sporadic infections with vero cytotoxin (shiga toxin) producing Escherichia coli O157.

BACKGROUND: Recent outbreaks of vero cytotoxin (shiga toxin) producing Escherichia coli O157 (VTEC O157) infection have stimulated debate on food safety. However, 90% of cases in England and Wales are sporadic. We report a case-control study of sporadic VTEC O157 infection. METHODS: We compared 85 sporadic cases of VTEC O157 infection, identified through population surveillance, with 142 controls, randomly selected from general practitioners' lists. We matched cases and controls for age, sex, and family doctor's practice. Exposures to foods, water, animals, farms, and environmental factors were recorded. We visited the premises concerned when cases had eaten beefburgers or cooked sliced meats from caterers or had had contact with a farm. FINDINGS: Consumption of a beefburger from a catering premises other than from a fast-food chain A (a national chain) and consumption of cold cooked sliced meat (eg, in a salad or sandwich) from caterers, but not butchers, was associated with VTEC O157 infection (odds ratios 4.63 [95% CI 1.33-30.14] and 3.36 [1.04-12.74], respectively). Policies for ensuring thorough cooking of burgers by one national fast-food chain differed from the other catering premises we visited. There was evidence of person-to-person spread and transmission of VTEC O157 infection from animals. INTERPRETATION: Local inspection of catering establishments that serve cooked meats together with public education to prevent spread on farms and in houses would reduce the burden of VTEC O157 infection by about 10% for each risk factor.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2005

Short report: evaluation of a self-detection tool for tapeworm carriers for use in public health.

The current study was designed to evaluate a tool for the self-identification of tapeworm carriers. Clinical and animal health care practitioners and schoolteachers were trained regarding the life cycle, risk factors, and control measures related to infection with Taenia solium. More than 120 small glass bottles with a few tapeworm segments fixed in formaldehyde and an instructional guide were distributed among all clinical practitioners (physicians and nurses) working in health centers. The guide contained 10 key points on how to ask questions about tapeworm infections. Information on taeniosis and cysticercosis was also provided to the general population via different media. Seven tapeworm carriers were recorded in the official epidemiology surveillance system the year previous to the study, compared with the year after the study, when 41 tapeworm carriers (37 Taenia saginata; 4 Taenia solium) were recorded. Six times more tapeworm carriers were notified after the study. All four persons with Taenia solium were treated, thereby eliminating the parasite and subsequently preventing any new cases of human and swine cysticercosis that might have arisen from them.

Anthelmintics↗
PubMed1994

Reduction of oral microbes by a single chlorhexidine rinse.

Because of the continued threat of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B infection, as well as the possibility of cross-infection from microbes, such as the herpesviruses and staphylococci, infection control remains a critical issue in dentistry. A traditional response to the infection-control issue is the use of barrier protection by the practitioner and staff. Little attention has been paid to reducing the number of potential pathogens in the oral cavity before dental procedures as a means of minimizing the potential spread of contagion between patients and treatment providers. A study to determine the effectiveness and duration of a single rinse with 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate oral antiseptic in reducing the number of microorganisms in the oral cavity is presented.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗
PubMed1998

Viral hepatitis: primary care diagnosis and management.

Many patients in primary care settings have hepatitis. This article discusses signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis and outlines differential diagnoses. The characteristics and methods of transmission of individual hepatotropic viruses, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, and G/GB-C are reviewed. Serologic diagnosis of the causative agent is explained. Patient care includes sign and symptom management, medication administration, prevention of transmission to friends and family members, follow-up serologic testing, and evaluation for chronic infection. Preventive measures include vaccination and the use of immune globulin agents for hepatitis A and B. Health care providers should be aware of recent developments in the treatment of chronic infection with hepatitis B and C.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

Johne's disease in Canada Part I: clinical symptoms, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and prevalence in dairy herds.

Recent international developments in the area of infectious disease control and nontariff trade barriers, along with possible zoonotic concerns, have provoked a revival of interest in Johne's disease in Canada and elsewhere. The bacterium causing Johne's disease, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, is distributed worldwide and causes chronic granulomatous enteritis, also known as paratuberculosis, in domestic and exotic ruminants, including cattle. The subclinical form of this disease results in progressive weight loss, reduced milk production, lower slaughter value, and premature culling, with possible impacts on fertility and udder health. Eventually, infection can lead to the clinical form that manifests as chronic diarrhea, emaciation, debilitation, and eventual death. Currently, available tests to detect infected animals produce many false-negative results and some false-positives, particularly in subclinically infected animals, thus making their interpretation and utilization challenging in control programs. The objective of this 2-part review is to critically review the literature about Johne's disease in dairy cattle for bovine practitioners in Canada. Part I covers the clinical stages, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and prevalence of infection in Canada, while Part II discusses impacts, risk factors, and control programs relevant to Canadian dairy farms. By reviewing the scientific literature about Johne's disease, control of the disease could be pursued through informed implementation of rational biosecurity efforts and the strategic use of testing and culling.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Recommendations: HIV/HBV infected health care workers. Connecticut Department of Health Services.

These recommendations have been developed in response to a congressional mandate and to public concern about transmission of HIV from health care workers to patients. Hepatitis B is also addressed in the recommendations. Both viruses are transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. The likelihood of transmission of HBV is very low, for HIV extraordinarily remote. The following are action steps to reduce this risk further: 1. The commissioner charges the professional associations and institutions to develop plans to educate their members, nonmembers, and employees on universal precautions, procedural modifications, and hepatitis B vaccination. They accept the charge. 2. The associations and institutions are charged with monitoring and assuring the compliance of their members, nonmembers and employees with the precautions. The Department of Health Services health facility licensing programs will incorporate review of infection control precautions into site reviews. Complaints of an institution's or individual practitioner's failure to follow the precautions will be investigated by the Department of Health Services Division of Hospital and Medical Care or Division of Medical Quality Assurance, respectively. 3. The professional associations will submit training plans and progress-to-date to the Commissioner of the Department of Health Services by 30 June 1992 and reports of training and assurance activities on 1 January 1993 and annually thereafter. 4. The department will not list specific hazardous procedures but will judge each case on an individual basis. 5. The department will not require health care workers to undergo HIV or HBV testing. It is recommended that workers who are at risk for HIV or HBV infection because of occupational exposure or personal behaviors be tested voluntarily. 6. The department recommends that infected workers seek advice from a state appointed and authorized review panel. The panel will review the practices of the worker, advise on infection control practices and monitor to assure compliance. Infected workers will be advised regarding notification of patients on a case-by-case basis. Institutional or professional association-based panels can also be consulted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗
PubMed1992

[Contact tracing routines for genital chlamydia infections used by Norwegian physicians. A questionnaire study].

Notification of partner(s) is recommended as a measure to control the epidemic of genital chlamydial infection. We surveyed a random sample of Norwegian general practitioners and privately practising gynaecologists. Only one in five general practitioners initiated notification of partner(s) after diagnosing a patient with genital chlamydial infection. A proposed new Communicable Diseases Act will make it mandatory to notify the partner in the event of such infections. 49% of general practitioners are in favour of the proposal, 21% oppose it while 30% remain uncertain. After implementation of similar legislation, Sweden has experienced a decline in the incidence of genital chlamydial infection. We believe increased notification of partner would help to control the Norwegian epidemic.

Chlamydia Infections↗
PubMed1985

Hepatitis A in day care centers.

A dramatic increase in the number of preschool children in US day care facilities has presented new problems in infectious disease control, particularly with agents transmitted through the fecal-oral route. As the school health field broadens to encompass the day care setting, such issues are becoming increasingly important for school health practitioners. Hepatitis A has attributes favoring day care-related reservoirs and outbreaks. The anicteric course of infection in young children usually does not alert the school health practitioner to infectious hepatitis. This article reviews epidemiologic and clinical features of hepatitis A in day care centers. Control measures including immunoglobulin prophylaxis for contacts of infected individuals and rigid attention to hygienic standards are examined, and suggestions for designing day care systems in communities are discussed.

Adolescent↗