NAVIGATING THE INTERPLAY OF HOSPITAL INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS
Creators: name: Jackson, Katelin C.
Publisher: name: Washington State University
Year: 2024
Subjects: 3Dprinting
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Healthcare Worker Activity Patterns
Hospital Assoicated Infections
Infection Control
Mathematical Modeling
Public Health

description: Emerging pathogens pose significant public health risks worldwide, particularly evident amidst the ongoing pandemic for which the full impact on hospitals and healthcare workers remains to be fully understood. Surface contamination within healthcare facilities plays a pivotal role in transmitting nosocomial pathogens and contributing to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Understanding the activity patterns of healthcare workers is essential for elucidating pathogen transmission dynamics within hospitals, alongside the use of mathematical models for comprehending the complexities of infectious disease transmission in healthcare settings.
description: The pandemic has presented hospitals with unique challenges, particularly in addressing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shortages. Consequently, hospitals have turned to 3D printing. Therefore, we assessed the contamination and disinfection of 3D-printed materials. Results revealed substantial bacterial contamination on standard and antimicrobial materials. Bacterial population levels returned hours after disinfectant application, underscoring the critical need for continuous and thorough disinfection protocols and material selection in healthcare settings.
description: Activity patterns of healthcare workers play a crucial role in hospitals' patient-care mission and outcomes— aiding in understanding patient contact times and interactions, and nosocomial transmission. We explored the use of medical dramas for observer training when direct clinical observation is impractical. Intraclass correlation coefficients demonstrate the reliability of using medical dramas as substitutes for in-person observations, offering a flexible and accessible training method for researchers. However, one should be mindful that inaccuracies in the representation of clinical activity patterns are present and underscore the need for a cautious interpretation of results.
description: Additionally, we investigated nosocomial amplification, the phenomenon wherein infectious diseases escalate within healthcare facilities. We developed a general framework model to elucidate the interconnectedness of hospital and community transmission dynamics, highlighting how hospital-level parameters significantly impact the community. The findings underscore the importance of integrated strategies to mitigate disease spread, emphasizing the reciprocal influence between hospital and community transmission.
description: Our research provides valuable knowledge about infection control measures, observer training methodologies, and an understanding of the complex interplay between hospital and community transmission dynamics. They are pivotal for devising effective strategies to manage current and future infectious disease challenges, thereby safeguarding both healthcare facilities and the broader community.