Publications by authors named "Tara Donovan Towell"
Article Synopsis
- - The study assessed barriers faced by healthcare workers in British Columbia that hinder their adherence to infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on a web survey conducted with 2,488 respondents.
- - Key obstacles identified included inadequate staffing (58%), limited space in staff rooms (57%), multibed room setups (51%), and unclear messaging regarding IPAC protocols (51%).
- - Suggestions for improvement included increased support from IPAC leadership and better communication about IPAC requirements, which aim to enhance safety measures for both patients and staff in healthcare settings.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted long-term care and assisted living (LTC/AL) facilities in Canada, where infection prevention and control (IPAC) programs had been suboptimal. We aimed to identify barriers affecting healthcare workers' (HCW) adherence to IPAC practices during the pandemic in British Columbia in LTC/AL compared to acute care settings.
Methods: We conducted a web-based survey of direct care providers and IPAC professionals across BC from August to September 2021, focused on knowledge and attitudes toward IPAC within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and barriers that affected respondents' abilities to follow IPAC practices throughout the pandemic.