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During the weeks that immediately followed the emergence of the novel H1N1 virus, not much was known about its virulence. Schools where cases emerged were closed as a precaution, and many hospitals attempted to identify and quarantine suspect cases.
One of the big topics a year ago was the protection of those on the frontlines; healthcare and emergency workers. They were considered to be the most likely to be exposed, and were in a unique position to pass the virus on to others.
In this article from the Johns Hopkins Gazette, we learn of lapses in infection protection protocol during 11 drills conducted at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center last May. The scenario involved a pediatric patient – suspected of having H1N1 – going into cardiac arrest.
Of the 84 HCWs who participated in these drills, 33% failed to don eye protection, 15% didn’t stop to put on a gown, and 19% did not wear a specialized respirator (presumably N95) mask.
The results of these mock drills were presented to the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting last week.
They highlight the importance of having PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) in easy reach on hospital floors, and having a designated `gatekeeper’ whose job it is to ensure that all HCWs are compliant with infection protection protocol before entering a patient’s room.
This from the JHU Gazette.
H1N1 drills expose gaps in hospital infection protection
May 10, 2010
By Katerina Pesheva
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Resuscitation drills conducted during the first weeks of the H1N1 outbreak in May 2009 have exposed critical gaps in basic protection among hospital first-responders, according to a Johns Hopkins Children’s Center study.
Failing to use personal protection such as gowns, glasses, respirator masks and gloves during infection outbreaks makes hospital staff vulnerable to infection and increases the risk for transmission to patients, the researchers say.
The findings, presented May 4 at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting, emphasize the need for repeat mock drills, the researchers say, and suggest that personal-protection exercises should be included in monthly mock crisis sessions held at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
“Having another contagious outbreak is a matter of when, not if, and the time to master protection techniques is now, before it hits us,” said study lead investigator Christopher Watson, a pediatric critical-care fellow.
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