Operating room ventilation with laminar airflow shows no protective effect on the surgical site infection rate in orthopedic and abdominal surgery
2008
Annals of Surgery
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 248
Pages 695-700
Author(s): Brandt, C., Hott, U., Sohr, D., Daschner, F., Gastmeier, P., Rüden, H.
Operating rooms (ORs) in hospitals of different countries use ventilation systems to assist with the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs). The authors cite literature to show that adequate evidence does not exist to support the use of expensive ventilation systems in preventing SSIs.
Added November 2014
Creating spaces in intensive care for safe communication: a video-reflexive ethnographic study
2014
BMJ Quality & Safety
Journal Article
Author(s): Hor, S.-Y., Iedema, R., Manias, E.
According to the authors, the design of the built environment is a relatively recent foray for patient safety research. They refer to different research studies that report that the physical environment of healthcare facilities affects patient safety.
Added November 2014
Impact of Isolation on Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Scores: Is Isolation Isolating?
2012
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 33
Pages 513-516
Author(s): Vinski, J., Bertin, M., Sun, Z., Gordon, S. M., Bokar, D., Merlino, J., Fraser, T. G.
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
Antimicrobial activity of copper against organisms in aqueous solution: A case for copper-based water pipelines in hospitals?
2013
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 12
Volume 41
Pages e115-e118
Author(s): Cervantes, H. I., Álvarez, J. A., Muñoz, J. M., Arreguín, V., Mosqueda, J. L., Macías, A. E.
Poor quality of water is significantly associated, according to the authors, with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and this is particularly problematic in developing countries. Literature indicates that patients in developing countries often become infected with waterborne diseases during hospital stays, and ensuing fatalities are not uncommon.
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
Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections through Hand Hygiene
2014
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology
Journal Article
Issue 8
Volume 35
Pages 937-960
Author(s): Ellingson, K., Haas, J. P., Aiello, A. E., Kusek, L., Maragakis, L. L., Olmsted, R. N., Perencevich, E., Polgreen, P. M., Schweizer, M. L., Trexler, P., VanAmringe, M., Yokoe, D. S.
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
The important role of sink location in handwashing compliance and microbial sink contamination
2014
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 42
Pages 554-555
Author(s): Cloutman-Green, E., Kalaycioglu, O., Wojani, H., Hartley, J. C., Guillas, S., Malone, D., Gant, V., Grey, C., Klein, N.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) impact healthcare services around the world, particularly in ICUs. Authors note that although handwashing with soap has been considered to be an effective way to reduce the spread of infections, literature indicates that hand hygiene compliance is low among healthcare workers.
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
Infection control: the environment and service organisation
2005
Nursing Standard (Royal College Of Nursing (Great Britain): 1987)
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 20
Pages 57
Author(s): Gould, Dinah J
Added October 2014
The Environment of Inpatient Healthcare Delivery and Its Influence on the Outcome of Care
2012
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 6
Pages 104-116
Author(s): O'Connor, M., O'Brien, A., Bloomer, M., Morphett, J., Peters, L., Hall, H., Parry, A., Recoche, K., Lee, S., Munro, I.
There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that in all healthcare settings, the design of discipline-specific space can influence patients and their health outcomes. The contribution of the physical environment to quality of life and well-being is also supported. Healthcare delivery has changed over the last three decades; however, the authors note that some ICUs and emergency departments have not fully adapted to these changes, whereas palliative care and women’s health have adapted to include more family involvement and patient-driven changes. Environments such as labor and delivery units have benefitted from active consumer involvement in design.
Added September 2014
Design for the post-antibiotic era: experiences from a new building for infectious diseases in Malmö, Sweden
2013
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 6
Pages 27-52
Author(s): Holmdahl, T., Lanbeck, P.
Healthcare facilities must carefully consider how facilities are designed as infection control mechanisms evolve.
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
Cleanliness audit of clinical surfaces and equipment: who cleans what?
2011
Journal of Hospital Infection
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 78
Pages 178-181
Author(s): Anderson, R.E., Young, V., Stewart, M., Robertson, C., Dancer, S. J.
Added September 2014
Environmental cleaning in UK healthcare since the NHS Plan: A policy and evidence based context
2012
Facilities
Journal Article
Issue 1/2
Volume 30
Pages 6-22
Author(s): May, D., Pitt, M.
Added September 2014
Does hospital cleanliness correlate with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia rates?
2006
Journal of Hospital Infection
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 64
Pages 184-6
Author(s): Green, D., Wigglesworth, N., Keegan, T., Wilcox, M. H.
Added September 2014
