Infectious Disease Transmission in Healthcare Work 2006

Infectious diseases are transmitted from human to human primarily by three routes: (1) direct contact with an infected patients blood or secretions or a contaminated surface; (2) transmission via large droplets; or (3) transmission via small droplets (aerosolization or airborne). With most respiratory pathogens, including influenza, the relative contribution of each of these types of transmission has not been adequately studied. This paucity of definitive data on influenza transmission is a critical gap in the knowledge base needed to develop and implement effective prevention strategies. Without knowing the contributions of each of the possible route(s) of transmission, all routes must be considered probable and consequential, and the resources needed for prevention and control strategies cannot be rationally focused to maximize preparedness efforts. Although it has been 70 years since the influenza A virus was discovered and despite the recognition that it can cause yearly epidemics worldwide resulting in severe illness and death, little is known about the mechanisms by which influenza A is transmitted or its viability and infectivity outside the host. Debate continues about whether influenza transmission is primarily via the airborne or droplet routes and the extent of the contribution of the contact route (including contact with blood, fecal matter, or contaminated surfaces). Unfortunately, many healthcare employers and state and local health departments ignore the US Institute Of Medicine IOM) recommendation and growing scientific evidence of airborne transmission of flu (including the H1N1 flu) because they view the needed changes to infection control procedures too burdensome For more on the transmission of flu in the healthcare setting, go to the IOM 2008 report at http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11980&page=47 . This is clipped from the 11 minutes video, Personal Protection Against Infection, from the nonprofit Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare and available for purchase at http://www.osach.ca/products/catalog/Infection.html#vinfe344 .
This video covers the basics of infection control for health care support staff, from modes of transmission to hand washing to the use of personal protective equipment.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Influenza
• flu
• H1N1
• disease
• infection
• transmission
• spread
• route
• exposure
• contact
• droplet
• aerosol
• nuclei
• IOM
• occupational
• health
• worker
• OSHA
• CDC
• NIOSH
• pandemic
• Tb
• measles
• SARS