A cross-sectional survey of measles preparedness in critical-access hospitals of Idaho.
Infectious diseases
Measles-immunity
Outbreaks
Rural
Vaccine
Journal
American journal of infection control
ISSN: 1527-3296
Titre abrégé: Am J Infect Control
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 8004854
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
07 2020
07 2020
Historique:
received:
29
09
2019
revised:
14
11
2019
accepted:
14
11
2019
pubmed:
17
12
2019
medline:
25
6
2021
entrez:
17
12
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Patients with measles can precipitate outbreaks in health care facilities where they seek care. Rural critical-access hospitals (CAHs) may be at higher risk of outbreaks given their size and potentially limited infection prevention resources. We surveyed CAHs in Idaho to ascertain their levels of preparedness for managing measles cases. A 25-item questionnaire was sent to infection preventionists at all 27 Idaho CAHs. The questionnaire covered organizational structure, resources for managing measles cases, and hospital policies for ensuring immunity among health care workers. A total of 22 (82%) CAHs responded, reporting varying availability of facilities and resources for managing measles cases and disparate procedures for testing clinical samples and providing vaccines to nonimmune, exposed staff. With measles incidence on the rise in the United States, our survey found that most of the responding hospitals had the basic organizational structure for facility-wide prevention and management efforts in case a patient with suspected or confirmed measles presented to that facility. Most of the hospitals also had at least some available resources to manage measles cases, as well as policies for ensuring immunity to measles among at least some groups of health care workers. This study provides initial perspectives on measles preparedness among Idaho CAHs, despite limited generalizability. Future studies should explore whether self-reported preparedness measures reflect the ability of the CAHs to control measles spread when cases present for care.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Patients with measles can precipitate outbreaks in health care facilities where they seek care. Rural critical-access hospitals (CAHs) may be at higher risk of outbreaks given their size and potentially limited infection prevention resources.
METHODS
We surveyed CAHs in Idaho to ascertain their levels of preparedness for managing measles cases. A 25-item questionnaire was sent to infection preventionists at all 27 Idaho CAHs. The questionnaire covered organizational structure, resources for managing measles cases, and hospital policies for ensuring immunity among health care workers.
RESULTS
A total of 22 (82%) CAHs responded, reporting varying availability of facilities and resources for managing measles cases and disparate procedures for testing clinical samples and providing vaccines to nonimmune, exposed staff.
DISCUSSION
With measles incidence on the rise in the United States, our survey found that most of the responding hospitals had the basic organizational structure for facility-wide prevention and management efforts in case a patient with suspected or confirmed measles presented to that facility. Most of the hospitals also had at least some available resources to manage measles cases, as well as policies for ensuring immunity to measles among at least some groups of health care workers.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides initial perspectives on measles preparedness among Idaho CAHs, despite limited generalizability. Future studies should explore whether self-reported preparedness measures reflect the ability of the CAHs to control measles spread when cases present for care.
Identifiants
pubmed: 31839277
pii: S0196-6553(19)30981-2
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2019.11.015
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
795-797Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2019 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. All rights reserved.