Xiaochun Ma, MD, of the the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University in Shenyang, China, and colleagues sought to describe the knowledge and attitudes of critical-care clinicians during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.
The researchers conducted a survey in 21 intensive care units in 17 provinces in China. Out of 733 questionnaires distributed, 695 were completed. Three hundred and fifty-six respondents (51.2 percent) reported their experience of caring for H1N1 patients. Despite the fact that 88.5 percent of all respondents ultimately finished an H1N1 training program, only 41.9 percent admitted that they had the knowledge of 2009 H1N1 influenza. Their research was published in BMC Infectious Diseases.
A total of 572 respondents (82.3 percent) expressed willingness to care for H1N1 patients. Independent variables associated with increasing likelihood to care for patients in the logistic regression analysis were physicians or nurses rather than other professionals (odds ratio 4.056 and 3.235, p = 0.002 and 0.007, respectively), knowledge training prior to patient care (odds ratio 1.531, p = 0.044), and the confidence to know how to protect themselves and their patients (odds ratio 2.109, p = 0.001).
Ma and colleagues conclude that critical-care clinicians reported poor knowledge of H1N1 influenza, even though most finished a relevant knowledge training program. They say that implementation of appropriate education program might improve compliance to infection control measures, and willingness to work in a pandemic.
Reference: Ma X, He Z, Wang Y, et al. Knowledge and Attitudes of Healthcare Workers in Chinese Intensive Care Units Regarding 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic. BMC Infectious Diseases 2011, 11:24doi:10.1186/1471-2334-11-24
Clean Hospitals With Alexandra Peters, PhD: The Double-Edged Sword of High-Tech
January 30th 2025Despite revolutionary advancements like alcohol-based hand rubs, infection prevention still faces major hurdles. Poor adherence to hygiene, overreliance on technology, and understaffed environmental services create perfect storm conditions for deadly outbreaks.
Infections Do Not Recognize International Borders: The Potential Impact of US Withdrawal From WHO
January 21st 2025The US withdrawal from WHO jeopardizes infection prevention, research funding, and global collaboration, disproportionately impacting low-income nations reliant on WHO support for equitable health care advancements.
Revolutionizing Infection Prevention: How Fewer Hand Hygiene Observations Can Boost Patient Safety
December 23rd 2024Discover how reducing hand hygiene observations from 200 to 50 per unit monthly can optimize infection preventionists' time, enhance safety culture, and improve patient outcomes.
Tackling Health Care-Associated Infections: SHEA’s Bold 10-Year Research Plan to Save Lives
December 12th 2024Discover SHEA's visionary 10-year plan to reduce HAIs by advancing infection prevention strategies, understanding transmission, and improving diagnostic practices for better patient outcomes.