Korean J Nosocomial Infect Control.  2010 Dec;15(2):78-86.

Infection Control Preparedness for Influenza A Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Healthcare Settings

• Lim DY
• Jeong JS
• Park JH
• Woo JH

Abstract

BACKGROUND
This study aimed to assess the status of infection control during influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
METHODS
A questionnaire survey was conducted in November 2009 at the 100 hospitals designated by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) as influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009-treatment institutions.
RESULTS
In 32.3% of the hospitals, the ventilation system of the influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 isolation ward was separated from the hospital's ventilation system. With regard to wearing personal protective equipment while caring for patients with H1N1 infection, during usual patient contact, masks were always worn by all medical staff at all the hospitals; however, medical staff at 38.7% and 51.6% of the hospitals did not wear gloves and gowns, respectively. During aerosol-generating procedures, some medical staff wore surgical masks, whereas medical staff at 10% and 23.3% of the hospitals did not wear gowns and protective goggles, respectively. In all, 64.5% of the hospitals responded that the contents of the guidelines established by the KCDC were insufficient for reference purposes in actual practice.
CONCLUSION
Some of influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009-treatment institutions are believed to be inadequate in facilities, infection control during patient treatment, and administrative measures among their efforts to prevent transmission in hospital. In preparation against the outbreak of similar diseases in the future, the government needs to establish guidelines highly applicable by medical staff, to secure exclusive spaces and personnel for treating infectious disease patients, and to develop personal protective gear support and management systems.

Keyword

Influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009; Personal protective equipments; Infection control; Isolation

MeSH Terms

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Communicable Diseases
Delivery of Health Care
Eye Protective Devices
Humans
Infection Control
Influenza, Human
Korea
Masks
Medical Staff
Pandemics
Ventilation
Surveys and Questionnaires