Development and Application of a Surveillance Method for Healthcare-Associated Infections in Long-Term Care Hospitals in Korea.

Background: This study developed a surveillance method for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) and investigated the current status of HAIs in LTCHs in Korea.

Methods: We applied the HAI-related surveillance criteria for long-term care facilities developed by McGeer in six LTCHs.

Results: The 197 confirmed HAIs corresponded to incidence rates of 30.

Minimizing contamination in the use of personal protective equipment: Simulation results through tracking contamination and enhanced protocols.

Background: Due to variations and the inadequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), this study aimed to evaluate our enhanced PPE protocols for minimizing doffing contamination.

Methods: Among 3 PPE kits (simple, Level D, and Level C), 30 participants conducted the first simulation in their adapted way and the second following enhanced protocols. After donning, participants performed a 1-minute simulation of direct care on a patient simulator covered with fluorescent powder.

Difficulties in using personal protective equipment: Training experiences with the 2015 outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome in Korea.

This study aimed to evaluate practical barriers to personal protective equipment (PPE) use found through health care personnel (HCP) training sessions held during and after the 2015 Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak in Korea. Difficulties observed were ill-fitting sizes, anxiety, confusion from unstandardized protocols, doubts about PPE quality and effectiveness, and complexity of using several PPE items together. Further research to generate robust evidence and repeated HCP trainings are necessary to ensure HCP and patient safety in future outbreaks.