In vitro assessment of antibacterial and antiviral activity of three copper products after 200 rounds of simulated use.

Copper has well-documented antibacterial effects but few have evaluated it after prolonged use and against bacteria and viruses. Coupons from three copper formulations (solid, thermal coating, and decal applications) and carbon steel controls were subjected to 200 rounds simulated cleaning using a Wiperator™ and either an accelerated hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium, or artificial sweat products. Antibacterial activity against S.

Antimicrobial efficacy and durability of copper formulations over one year of hospital use.

Objective: To evaluate 3 formulations of copper (Cu)-based self-sanitizing surfaces for antimicrobial efficacy and durability over 1 year in inpatient clinical areas and laboratories.

Design: Randomized control trial.

Setting: We assessed 3 copper formulations: (1) solid alloy 80% Cu-20% Ni (integral copper), (2) spray-on 80% Cu-20% Ni (spray-on) and (3) 16% composite copper-impregnated surface (CIS).

In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy and durability of three copper surfaces used in healthcare.

Antimicrobial properties of solid copper (Cu) surfaces against various microorganisms have been demonstrated, but little is known about the durability and relative antimicrobial efficacy of different Cu formulations currently used in healthcare. The aim of this study was to assess whether three different formulations of copper-bearing alloys (integral, spray-on and Cu-impregnated surfaces) and a stainless steel control differed in their antimicrobial efficacy, durability, and compatibility with hospital-grade cleaner/disinfectants. The U.

Strengthening Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Tuberculosis Prevention Capacity among South African Healthcare Workers: A Mixed Methods Study of a Collaborative Occupational Health Program.

Background: Insufficient training in infection control and occupational health among healthcare workers (HCWs) in countries with high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) burdens requires attention. We examined the effectiveness of a 1-year Certificate Program in Occupational Health and Infection Control conducted in Free State Province, South Africa in an international partnership to empower HCWs to become change agents to promote workplace-based HIV and TB prevention.

Methods: Questionnaires assessing reactions to the program and Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, and Practices were collected pre-, mid-, and postprogram.

The neglected burden of tuberculosis disease among health workers: a decade-long cohort study in South Africa.

Background: Health workers (HWs) in resource-limited settings are at high-risk of exposure to tuberculosis (TB) at work. The aim of this study was to estimate the rate of TB disease among HWs in the Free State Province of South Africa between 2002 and 2012 and to compare demographic and clinical characteristics between HWs and the general population with TB. This study also explores the effect of occupational variables on risk of TB among HWs.

Protecting health workers from infectious disease transmission: an exploration of a Canadian-South African partnership of partnerships.

Background: Health workers are at high risk of acquiring infectious diseases at work, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) with critical health human resource deficiencies and limited implementation of occupational health and infection control measures. Amidst increasing interest in international partnerships to address such issues, how best to develop such collaborations is being actively debated. In 2006, a partnership developed between occupational health and infection control experts in Canada and institutions in South Africa (including an institute with a national mandate to conduct research and provide guidance to protect health workers from infectious diseases and promote improved working conditions).

Sterile reprocessing of surgical instruments in low- and middle-income countries: A multicenter pilot study.

Background: Surgical site infections increase the morbidity, mortality, and costs associated with surgical care. An estimated 96.2 million surgical procedures are performed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) each year.

From ICU to hospital-wide: extending central line associated bacteraemia (CLAB) prevention.

Aims: To decrease hospital-wide central line associated bacteraemia (CLAB) by spreading the prevention programme beyond the intensive care unit (ICU) in a secondary care hospital in Auckland, New Zealand.

Method: Over 15 months, four general surgical wards, five inpatient units, and surgical theatres adopted the quality improvement initiative, and were followed for a further 15 months. The initiative included central line insertion and maintenance checklists, a central line insertion pack, training in central line care, and a dedicated database.

Considerations for preparing a randomized population health intervention trial: lessons from a South African-Canadian partnership to improve the health of health workers.

Background: Community-based cluster-randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are increasingly being conducted to address pressing global health concerns. Preparations for clinical trials are well-described, as are the steps for multi-component health service trials. However, guidance is lacking for addressing the ethical and logistic challenges in (cluster) RCTs of population health interventions in low- and middle-income countries.

Collaboration between infection control and occupational health in three continents: a success story with international impact.

Globalization has been accompanied by the rapid spread of infectious diseases, and further strain on working conditions for health workers globally. Post-SARS, Canadian occupational health and infection control researchers got together to study how to better protect health workers, and found that training was indeed perceived as key to a positive safety culture. This led to developing information and communication technology (ICT) tools.

The impact of requiring completion of an online infection control course on health professionals' intentions to comply with infection control guidelines: A comparative study.

Background: Ensuring good infection control practice in health care facilities is a constant concern, yet evidence shows that the compliance of health care professionals with proper procedures is lacking, despite the existence of guidelines and training programs. An online infection control module was developed to provide ready access to training. Controversy exists about whether successfully completing such a course should be mandatory or strongly encouraged for all health care professionals.

Health care workers' perceptions of respiratory and gastrointestinal algorithms for patient management in emergency care settings.

Background: Patients with respiratory or gastrointestinal illness in emergency care settings are often not yet diagnosed but are at risk of transmitting disease. Infection control algorithms delineating a standard approach to patient management decrease risk of secondary exposure, but few articles document health care workers' (HCWs) perceptions as to their effectiveness and ease of implementation.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey approach was used to explore HCWs perceptions in 2 emergency departments of the current algorithms for management of potentially infectious respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Personal protective equipment in health care: can online infection control courses transfer knowledge and improve proper selection and use?

We used observational evaluation to assess the ability of an online learning course to effectively transfer knowledge on personal protective equipment (PPE) selection and removal. During orientations for new hospital staff, 117 participants applied either airborne, droplet, or contact precautions in mock scenarios. Postcourse, all 3 scenarios demonstrated improvement in PPE sequence scores (P = .

Xylohypha bantiana multiple brain abscesses in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Xylohypha bantiana is a rare cause of cerebral fungal infection (phaeohyphomycosis). We report on a 72-year-old man who, while taking several immunosuppressive medications for systemic lupus erythematosus, presented with multiple bilateral cerebral abscesses caused by X bantiana. The lesions were not surgically amenable and the patient died two months after discontinuing antifungal therapy.

Multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter infections in critically injured Canadian forces soldiers.

Background: Military members, injured in Afghanistan or Iraq, have returned home with multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections. The source of these infections is unknown.

Methods: Retrospective study of all Canadian soldiers who were injured in Afghanistan and who required mechanical ventilation from January 1 2006 to September 1 2006.

The infection control audit: the standardized audit as a tool for change.

Background: Health care workers' compliance with infection control practices and principles is vital in preventing the spread of disease. One tool to assess infection control practice in clinical areas is the infection control audit; however, many institutions do not approach this in a systematic fashion.

Methods: Key features of the infection control audit were identified by the infection control team and developed into a standardized format for review of clinical areas.

Infection control - delivering the message in the 21 century.

The experiences gleaned from new and suddenly emergent infectious diseases (e.g. SARS, avian influenza or diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile) have highlighted how important it is, also for infection prophylaxis, to be able to find instruments for rapid and effective communication.