- Email: [email protected]
Evaluation of the Performance of Isolation Gowns
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Poster Abstracts / American Journal of Infection Control 43 (2015) S18-S73
dustrial laundered 100 times, a >3.43 log or 99.99% reduction in CFUs occurred. Positive control samples not laundered, had a >3.43 log or 99.99% reduction in CFUs. Klebsiella Pneumoniae-For samples home laundered 100 times, a 1.67 log or 97.85% reduction in CFUs occurred, while samples industrial laundered 100 times, a 1.13 log or 92.61% reduction in CFUs occurred. Positive control samples not laundered, had a >4.15 log or 99.993% reduction in CFUs. CONCLUSIONS: The fabric extruded with silver maintained moderate antimicrobial activity with both the home and industrial launderings. Furthermore, the fabric showed very little difference in antimicrobial activity regardless of laundering method. In hospital or clinical environments that would benefit from soft surfaces with antimicrobial properties, fabrics of this type able to withstand hospital launderings, may be preferable.
Presentation Number 8-160 “Practicing What They Preach”: Infection Preventionists and Influenza Vaccination Ericka Kalp MPH, CIC, Director, Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, Summit Health; Ruth Freshman RN CIC, Infection Preventionist/Employee Health Nurse, Waynesboro Hospital; Kathy Lehman RN, BSN, CIC, Infection Preventionist, Summit Health BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual influenza vaccine for healthcare workers (HCWs) as the most effective method to prevent influenza transmission to patients and staff within the healthcare environment. A role of the Infection Preventionist (IP) includes mobilizing the CDC vaccination recommendations into achievable, facility-specific, influenza vaccination policies. To date, no study has sought to evaluate personal perceptions and beliefs regarding influenza virus, influenza vaccine, and influenza vaccination status of infection preventionists. METHODS: A convenience sample of 33 infection preventionists (IPs) voluntarily completed an anonymous survey regarding personal perceptions of influenza virus, influenza vaccination beliefs, and vaccination compliance during an Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) chapter meeting in Pennsylvania. RESULTS: Ninety-four percent (n¼31) of IPs reported that influenza is a serious disease. Forty-two percent (n¼14) indicated that influenza is more serious than other diseases. The majority of IPs agreed that the chance of becoming infected with influenza in the future is “good”. While only 67% (n¼22) of IPs agreed that influenza vaccine prevents influenza, 97% (n¼32) of IPs were vaccinated during the 2013-2014 influenza season. The majority of IPs agreed that vaccination provides protection for oneself, co-workers, and household members (Table 1).
enza vaccination may provide protection from the virus. The significant level of vaccination compliance indicates that IP vaccination behaviors align with CDC influenza vaccination recommendations. These findings may support that IPs are personally compliant with CDC vaccination recommendations and are “practicing what they preach” regarding the importance of influenza vaccination among HCWs.
Presentation Number 8-161 Evaluation of the Performance of Isolation Gowns F. Selcen Kilinc-Balci PhD, Sr. Service Fellow/Physical Scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)/National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL); Julian Nwoko MS, Research Technician, URS Corporation, Morgantown, WV; Todd Hillam MBA, SM (NRCM), Protective Barriers Section Leader, Nelson Laboratories BACKGROUND: The threat of emerging infectious diseases, such as Ebola virus disease and pandemic influenza, has highlighted the need for effective personal protective equipment for healthcare workers (HCWs) to protect both HCWs and patients. Isolation gowns are worn to protect HCWs during procedures and patient-care activities when anticipating contact with blood, bodily fluids, secretions and excretions. Important research has been conducted in certain areas, such as respirators and masks, but studies in other areas, particularly gowns are scarce. There is currently no existing standard on the isolation gowns which guides infection control professionals to select the most appropriate isolation gown to protect both HCWs and the patients from the transmission of infectious diseases. American Society of Testing and Materials International’s (ASTM) F23 Committee started a work item in collaboration with the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory to develop minimum performance and design criteria for isolation gowns to assist end users in correct isolation gown selection, assuring higher levels of protection than currently provided. METHODS: Twenty two single-use isolation gowns were evaluated for barrier and strength properties using ASTM (D5034, D5733, D1683, F1671) and American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC 42 and 127) test methods and Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) PB70 liquid barrier classification standard requirements. RESULTS: Testing results demonstrated that there is a large variation in the barrier and strength properties of existing isolation gowns in the marketplace. It was also found that nine of the isolation gowns failed to meet the AAMI PB70 requirements for the liquid barrier performance at the level specified by the manufacturer. CONCLUSIONS: Consumer complaints about strength properties of isolation gowns highlighted the need for a new standard that specifies minimum performance requirements. Study test results also support the need for continuous post-market surveillance of isolation gowns.
Presentation Number 8-162 Prevention of Needlestick and Sharp Injuries among Hospitals in Thailand CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the survey suggest that Infection Preventionists perceive influenza as a serious infection and influ-
Akeau Unahalekhaka RN, PhD (Epidemiology), Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University;
APIC 42nd Annual Educational Conference & International Meeting j Nashville, TN j June 27-29, 2015
Poster Abstracts / American Journal of Infection Control 43 (2015) S18-S73
dustrial laundered 100 times, a >3.43 log or 99.99% reduction in CFUs occurred. Positive control samples not laundered, had a >3.43 log or 99.99% reduction in CFUs. Klebsiella Pneumoniae-For samples home laundered 100 times, a 1.67 log or 97.85% reduction in CFUs occurred, while samples industrial laundered 100 times, a 1.13 log or 92.61% reduction in CFUs occurred. Positive control samples not laundered, had a >4.15 log or 99.993% reduction in CFUs. CONCLUSIONS: The fabric extruded with silver maintained moderate antimicrobial activity with both the home and industrial launderings. Furthermore, the fabric showed very little difference in antimicrobial activity regardless of laundering method. In hospital or clinical environments that would benefit from soft surfaces with antimicrobial properties, fabrics of this type able to withstand hospital launderings, may be preferable.
Presentation Number 8-160 “Practicing What They Preach”: Infection Preventionists and Influenza Vaccination Ericka Kalp MPH, CIC, Director, Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, Summit Health; Ruth Freshman RN CIC, Infection Preventionist/Employee Health Nurse, Waynesboro Hospital; Kathy Lehman RN, BSN, CIC, Infection Preventionist, Summit Health BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual influenza vaccine for healthcare workers (HCWs) as the most effective method to prevent influenza transmission to patients and staff within the healthcare environment. A role of the Infection Preventionist (IP) includes mobilizing the CDC vaccination recommendations into achievable, facility-specific, influenza vaccination policies. To date, no study has sought to evaluate personal perceptions and beliefs regarding influenza virus, influenza vaccine, and influenza vaccination status of infection preventionists. METHODS: A convenience sample of 33 infection preventionists (IPs) voluntarily completed an anonymous survey regarding personal perceptions of influenza virus, influenza vaccination beliefs, and vaccination compliance during an Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) chapter meeting in Pennsylvania. RESULTS: Ninety-four percent (n¼31) of IPs reported that influenza is a serious disease. Forty-two percent (n¼14) indicated that influenza is more serious than other diseases. The majority of IPs agreed that the chance of becoming infected with influenza in the future is “good”. While only 67% (n¼22) of IPs agreed that influenza vaccine prevents influenza, 97% (n¼32) of IPs were vaccinated during the 2013-2014 influenza season. The majority of IPs agreed that vaccination provides protection for oneself, co-workers, and household members (Table 1).
enza vaccination may provide protection from the virus. The significant level of vaccination compliance indicates that IP vaccination behaviors align with CDC influenza vaccination recommendations. These findings may support that IPs are personally compliant with CDC vaccination recommendations and are “practicing what they preach” regarding the importance of influenza vaccination among HCWs.
Presentation Number 8-161 Evaluation of the Performance of Isolation Gowns F. Selcen Kilinc-Balci PhD, Sr. Service Fellow/Physical Scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)/National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL); Julian Nwoko MS, Research Technician, URS Corporation, Morgantown, WV; Todd Hillam MBA, SM (NRCM), Protective Barriers Section Leader, Nelson Laboratories BACKGROUND: The threat of emerging infectious diseases, such as Ebola virus disease and pandemic influenza, has highlighted the need for effective personal protective equipment for healthcare workers (HCWs) to protect both HCWs and patients. Isolation gowns are worn to protect HCWs during procedures and patient-care activities when anticipating contact with blood, bodily fluids, secretions and excretions. Important research has been conducted in certain areas, such as respirators and masks, but studies in other areas, particularly gowns are scarce. There is currently no existing standard on the isolation gowns which guides infection control professionals to select the most appropriate isolation gown to protect both HCWs and the patients from the transmission of infectious diseases. American Society of Testing and Materials International’s (ASTM) F23 Committee started a work item in collaboration with the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory to develop minimum performance and design criteria for isolation gowns to assist end users in correct isolation gown selection, assuring higher levels of protection than currently provided. METHODS: Twenty two single-use isolation gowns were evaluated for barrier and strength properties using ASTM (D5034, D5733, D1683, F1671) and American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC 42 and 127) test methods and Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) PB70 liquid barrier classification standard requirements. RESULTS: Testing results demonstrated that there is a large variation in the barrier and strength properties of existing isolation gowns in the marketplace. It was also found that nine of the isolation gowns failed to meet the AAMI PB70 requirements for the liquid barrier performance at the level specified by the manufacturer. CONCLUSIONS: Consumer complaints about strength properties of isolation gowns highlighted the need for a new standard that specifies minimum performance requirements. Study test results also support the need for continuous post-market surveillance of isolation gowns.
Presentation Number 8-162 Prevention of Needlestick and Sharp Injuries among Hospitals in Thailand CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the survey suggest that Infection Preventionists perceive influenza as a serious infection and influ-
Akeau Unahalekhaka RN, PhD (Epidemiology), Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University;
APIC 42nd Annual Educational Conference & International Meeting j Nashville, TN j June 27-29, 2015