Taking ergonomics to the bedside – A multi-disciplinary approach to designing safer healthcare
2014
Applied Ergonomics
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 45
Pages 629-638
Author(s): Norris, B., West, J., Anderson, O., Davey, G., Brodie, A.
Added November 2014
Assessing the optimal location for alcohol-based hand rub dispensers in a patient room in an intensive care unit
2013
BMC Infectious Diseases
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 13
Pages 510
Author(s): Boog, M. C., Erasmus, V., de Graaf, J. M., van Beeck, E. A. H. E., Melles, M, van Beeck, E. F.
The authors allude to literature which says that compliance of hand hygiene (which is crucial to reducing the spread of infectious disease) is low among healthcare workers (HCWs). Literature also shows that alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) improve hand-hygiene compliance by HCWs, which in turn is impacted by location, access to, and visibility of the ABHR dispenser.
Added November 2014
Does a mobile laminar airflow screen reduce bacterial contamination in the operating room? A numerical study using computational fluid dynamics technique
2014
Patient Safety in Surgery
Journal Article
Author(s): Sadrizadeh, S., Tammelin, A., Nielsen, P. V., Holmberg, S.
Surgical-site infections (SSIs) can increase patient morbidity and mortality and extend hospitalization time. Operating room (OR) personnel are the main source of airborne bacteria; a person releases roughly 104 skin scales per minute while walking, 10% of which carry bacteria, although up to 12 times as many microorganisms may be discharged depending on the individual and situation. Bacteria in the OR might contaminate a surgical wound through contact with the air or through contaminated surgical instruments.
Added November 2014
Reduction of healthcare-associated infections in a long-term care brain injury ward by replacing regular linens with biocidal copper oxide impregnated linens
2014
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Journal Article
Author(s): Lazary, A., Weinberg, I., Vatine, J.-J., Jefidoff, A., Bardenstein, R., Borkow, G., Ohana, N.
Due to its antibacterial, antiviral, and fungicidal properties, copper has been widely used for centuries as a biocide. Microorganisms resistant to copper are extremely rare. Recently, methods have been developed for embedding copper oxide particles into textile products, thereby giving them antimicrobial and anti-mite properties, and in some cases, advanced wound-healing abilities. Consumer products featuring copper oxide such as sheets, diapers, and pillowcases have been proven completely safe to humans through numerous studies, with no adverse health reactions on record.
Added November 2014
Field evaluation of a new point-of-use faucet filter for preventing exposure to Legionella and other waterborne pathogens in health care facilities
2014
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 11
Volume 42
Pages 1193-1196
Author(s): Baron, J. L., Peters, T., Shafer, R., MacMurray, B., Stout, J. E.
Waterborne pathogens exist in hospital water distribution systems in spite of different disinfection methods and can potentially cause hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in patients. The authors refer to previous studies which indicated the ineffectiveness of disinfecting methods in the complete removal of Legionella pathogen from water fixtures. This, they emphasized, called for the use of additional interventions like point-of-use (POU) filters, especially for safeguarding high-risk patients.
Added November 2014
Self-disinfecting surfaces: Review of current methodologies and future prospects
2013
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 5, Supplement
Volume 41
Pages S31-S35
Author(s): Weber, D. J., Rutala, W. A.
Added November 2014
Investigation of healthcare-acquired infections associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in taps in neonatal units in Northern Ireland
2014
Journal of Hospital Infection
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 86
Pages 16-23
Author(s): Walker, J. T., Jhutty, A., Parks, S., Willis, C., Copley, V., Turton, J. F., Hoffman, P. N., Bennett, A. M.
Added November 2014
Use of Copper Alloy for Preventing Transmission of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Contamination in the Dermatology Ward
2013
Acta Dermato Venereologica
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 93
Pages 294-300
Author(s): Niiyama, N., Sasahara, T., Mase, H., Abe, M., Saito, H., Katsuoka, K.
Added November 2014
Accuracy of a radiofrequency identification (RFID) badge system to monitor hand hygiene behavior during routine clinical activities
2014
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 42
Pages 144-147
Author(s): Pineles, L. L., Morgan, D. J., Limper, H. M., Weber, S. G., Thom, K. A., Perencevich, E. N., Harris, A. D., Landon, E.
Added November 2014
Predictors of Hand Hygiene in the Emergency Department
2011
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology
Journal Article
Issue 11
Volume 32
Pages 1120-1123
Author(s): Venkatesh, A. J., Pallin, D. J., Kayden, S., Schuur, J.
Added November 2014
Automated and electronically assisted hand hygiene monitoring systems: A systematic review
2014
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 42
Pages 472-478
Author(s): Ward, M. A., Schweizer, M. L., Polgreen, P. M., Gupta, K., Reisinger, H. S., Perencevich, E. N.
Added November 2014
Process Simulation during the Design Process Makes the Difference: Process Simulations Applied to a Traditional Design
2013
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 6
Pages 58-76
Author(s): Traversari, R., Goedhart, R., Schraagen, J. M.
Minimal evidence exists regarding the design implications of using process simulation to assist in the process of designing new operating room (OR) layouts. While the traditional design process for OR layout does incorporate the experiences and insights of users, functionality testing of the OR environment is usually conducted post occupancy.
Added September 2014
Detecting potential pathogens on hospital surfaces: An assessment of carpet tile flooring in the hospital patient environment
2010
Indoor and Built Environment
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 19
Pages 239-249
Author(s): Harris, D. D., Pacheco, A., Lindner, A. S.
Several studies demonstrate a connection between the hospital environment and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). The bacterial pathogens more frequently associated with HAIs include Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).
Added September 2014
Hospital cleaning in the 21st century
2011
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
Journal Article
Issue 12
Volume 30
Pages 1473-1481
Author(s): Dancer, S. J.
Added September 2014
The antimicrobial efficacy of copper alloy furnishing in the clinical environment: a crossover study
2012
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 33
Pages 3-9
Author(s): Karpanen, T. J., Casey, A. L., Lambert, P. A., Cookson, B. D., Nightingale, P., Miruszenko, L., Elliott, T. S.
Environmental hygiene has been regarded as one of the key areas in the prevention of HCAIs (healthcare associated infections) in hospital and acute care settings. Copper and its alloys have recently been considered for use in the healthcare environment as an antimicrobial surface material, and in 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the registration of copper and its alloys as antimicrobial materials. The main aim of this study was to determine whether copper incorporated into hospital ward furnishings and equipment can reduce their surface microbial load.
Added September 2014
Role of hospital surfaces in the transmission of emerging health care-associated pathogens: Norovirus, Clostridium difficile, and Acinetobacter species
2010
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 5, Supplement
Volume 38
Pages S25-S33
Author(s): Weber, D. J., Rutala, W. A., Miller, M. B., Huslage, K., Sickbert-Bennett, E.
Added September 2014
Where do hands go? An audit of sequential hand-touch events on a hospital ward
2012
Journal of Hospital Infection
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 80
Pages 206-211
Author(s): Smith, S. J., Young, V., Robertson, C., Dancer, S. J.
Added September 2014
Patient environment microbial burden reduction: A pilot study comparison of 2 terminal cleaning methods
2012
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 40
Pages 559-561
Author(s): Schmidt, M. G., Anderson, T., Attaway, H. H., III, Fairey, S., Kennedy, C., Salgado, C. D.
Added September 2014
Implementation of innovative pulsed xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) environmental cleaning in an acute care hospital
2014
Journal of Risk Management and Healthcare Policy
Journal Article
Author(s): Fornwalt, L., Riddell, B.
Cleaning of the hospital environment is considered crucial to the prevention of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and overall patient safety. The authors note that many European and American hospitals use new technologies like ultraviolet (UV) light and hydrogen peroxide vapor to clean their facilities, and that these have been effective in reducing the HAI rates.
Added September 2014
Ultraviolet lighting during orthopaedic surgery and the rate of infection
2007
The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
Journal Article
Issue 9
Volume 89
Pages 1935-1940
Author(s): Ritter, M. A., Olberding, E. M., Malinzak, R. A.
Added September 2014
