tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Hosp Infect
. 2021 Dec 17;S0195-6701(21)00442-4.
doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.12.010. Online ahead of print.
A strict mask policy for hospital staff effectively prevents from nosocomial influenza infections and mortality: monocentric data from five consecutive influenza seasons
Andreas Ambrosch[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Doris Luber[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Frank Klawonn[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Michael Kabesch[SUP] 4 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: Influenza infections acquired in hospital show increased mortality, especially in elderly patients with risk factors. Nevertheless, vaccination rates are low among both high-risk patients and healthcare workers (HCW). To more effectively prevent influenza infections in the hospital during the influenza season, we introduced a strict mouth-nose protection (MNP) requirement for all staff throughout the shift on the affected wards as an intervention and studied its effect on nosocomial infection rates.
Methodology: The present data were obtained in a retrospective, monocentric analysis over a period of four consecutive influenza seasons from 2015 - 2019. MNP for all staff during the whole shift as an intervention was introduced at 2017 and for the following seasons if at least three flu patients were in the ward at the same time. Data from hospitalised influenza patients before and after intervention were compared with regard to nosocomial incidences and mortality.
Results: In the years with strict mandatory MNP (2017 - 2019), the nosocomial influenza incidence fell nearly 50 % (OR 0.40, 95%CI 0.28 - 0.56, p < 0.001) accompanied by a significant reduction in nosocomial mortality by 85% (OR 0.15, 95%CI 0.02 - 0.70, p = 0.007). The infectious pressure indicated by influenza incidences and patient days at risk were comparable before and after intervention, as was the low rate of vaccine uptake by nurses.
Conclusion: From our data, we conclude that mandatory MNP for HCW effectively protect patients from nosocomial influenza infections and mortality.
Keywords: influenza; mortality; reduction of nosocomial infections; strict mask policy.
. 2021 Dec 17;S0195-6701(21)00442-4.
doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.12.010. Online ahead of print.
A strict mask policy for hospital staff effectively prevents from nosocomial influenza infections and mortality: monocentric data from five consecutive influenza seasons
Andreas Ambrosch[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Doris Luber[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Frank Klawonn[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Michael Kabesch[SUP] 4 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34929232
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.12.010
Abstract
Background: Influenza infections acquired in hospital show increased mortality, especially in elderly patients with risk factors. Nevertheless, vaccination rates are low among both high-risk patients and healthcare workers (HCW). To more effectively prevent influenza infections in the hospital during the influenza season, we introduced a strict mouth-nose protection (MNP) requirement for all staff throughout the shift on the affected wards as an intervention and studied its effect on nosocomial infection rates.
Methodology: The present data were obtained in a retrospective, monocentric analysis over a period of four consecutive influenza seasons from 2015 - 2019. MNP for all staff during the whole shift as an intervention was introduced at 2017 and for the following seasons if at least three flu patients were in the ward at the same time. Data from hospitalised influenza patients before and after intervention were compared with regard to nosocomial incidences and mortality.
Results: In the years with strict mandatory MNP (2017 - 2019), the nosocomial influenza incidence fell nearly 50 % (OR 0.40, 95%CI 0.28 - 0.56, p < 0.001) accompanied by a significant reduction in nosocomial mortality by 85% (OR 0.15, 95%CI 0.02 - 0.70, p = 0.007). The infectious pressure indicated by influenza incidences and patient days at risk were comparable before and after intervention, as was the low rate of vaccine uptake by nurses.
Conclusion: From our data, we conclude that mandatory MNP for HCW effectively protect patients from nosocomial influenza infections and mortality.
Keywords: influenza; mortality; reduction of nosocomial infections; strict mask policy.