Infection Control in Hospitals

Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of hospitals in response to the increasing incidence of workplace violence?

Increasing hospital staff recruitment

Improving patient satisfaction

Implementing safety measures to decrease workplace violence (correct)

Enhancing medical staff training programs

What is included in the definition of medical staff?

Only physicians and dentists who are licensed to practice independently

All physicians, dentists, and other professionals who are licensed to practice independently (correct)

Only medical staff who are in training

Only medical staff who are employed by the hospital

What is the purpose of a hospital's post-incident strategy in preventing workplace violence?

To analyze data and identify trends in workplace violence

To provide training for medical staff

To provide support to victims of workplace violence (correct)

To develop policies and procedures for reporting incidents

What is the role of leadership oversight in a hospital's workplace violence prevention system?

To oversee and implement the hospital's prevention practices Signup and view all the answers

What type of staff members are included in the classification of visiting staff?

Locum tenens, invited experts, and master class teachers/tutors Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a hospital's data collection and analysis in preventing workplace violence?

To identify trends and patterns in workplace violence Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of a hospital's workplace violence prevention system?

To reduce workplace violence incidents Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of policies and procedures in a hospital's workplace violence prevention system?

To guide and direct hospital staff in reporting and responding to incidents Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a hospital's reporting system in preventing workplace violence?

To enable hospital staff to report incidents of workplace violence Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a hospital's medical staff?

All physicians, dentists, and other professionals who are licensed to practice independently and provide patient care services Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Reducing Infectious Disease Transmission

Identifying epidemiologically important infections and determining staff at high risk for these infections can significantly reduce the incidence of infectious disease transmission.
Implementing screening and prevention programs, such as immunizations, vaccinations, and prophylaxis, is crucial in reducing the transmission of infectious diseases.

Hospital Strategies for Reducing Infectious Disease Transmission

Implementation of a staff vaccination and immunization program policy and process to guide administration and management of staff vaccinations and immunizations.
Clinical staff have an ethical and professional obligation to protect themselves, coworkers, and patients/families from infectious diseases.
Vaccination is a duty for all clinical staff, and strategies for reducing patient and staff risk of exposure to infectious diseases may include:
- Promoting vaccination
- Encouraging staff to get vaccinated
- Requiring unvaccinated staff to wear masks at high-risk times of the year (e.g., flu season) or in high-risk areas (e.g., units caring for COVID-19 or tuberculosis patients)

Unvaccinated Staff and Patient Risk

Unvaccinated staff providing care to patients who are vulnerable to infection (e.g., immunocompromised, elderly, and infants) increases the risks to those patients already at high risk for infection.
Staff immunization status needs to be considered when making staff assignments.

Measurable Elements of SQE.9

The hospital identifies epidemiologically significant infections and staff at high risk for exposure to and transmission of infections.
The hospital develops and implements a staff vaccination and immunization program.
The staff vaccination and immunization program includes a policy and process for administration and management of staff vaccinations and immunizations.
The hospital promotes staff well-being by creating a culture of wellness that supports physical well-being and mental health.

Standard SQE.9

The hospital identifies staff who are at risk for exposure to and possible transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases and implements a staff vaccination and immunization program.

Intent of SQE.9

Many clinical staff are at risk for exposure to and possible transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases due to their contact with patients and infectious materials.

Guidance for SQE.9

Asymptomatic infections are common, and individuals can be infectious prior to having any symptoms.
Clinical staff often report to work even when ill.
Hospitalized patients are at significant risk of injury or death from healthcare-associated infectious disease transmissions.
Infectious disease outbreaks in hospitalized patients have been traced to unvaccinated clinical staff, particularly in cases of COVID-19, influenza A, and tuberculosis.