Browsing by Author "Lassmann, Britta"

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    The 17th International Congress on Infectious Diseases workshop on developing infection prevention and control resources for low - and middle-income countries
    (Published by Elsevier on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases, 2017) Sastry, Sangeeta; Masroor, Nadia; Bearman, Gonzalo; Hajjeh, Rana; Holmes, Alison; Memish, Ziad; Lassmann, Britta; Pittet, Didier; Macnab, Fiona; Kamau, Rachel; Wesangula, Evelyn; Pokhare, Paras; Brown, Paul; Daily, Frances; Amer, Fatma; Torres, Jaime; O’Ryan, Miguel; Gunturu, Revathi; Bulabula, Andre; Mehtarp, Shaheen
    Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a major concern to healthcare systems around the world. They are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, in addition to increased hospitalization costs. Recent outbreaks, including those caused by the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Ebola virus, have highlighted the importance of infection control. Moreover, HAIs, especially those caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative rods, have become a top global priority. Although adequate approaches and guidelines have been in existence for many years and have often proven effective in some countries, the implementation of such approaches in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is often restricted due to limited resources and underdeveloped infrastructure. While evidence-based infection prevention and control (IPC) principles and practices are universal, studies are needed to evaluate simplified approaches that can be better adapted to LMIC needs, in order to guide IPC in practice. A group of experts from around the world attended a workshop held at the 17th International Congress on Infectious Diseases in Hyderabad, India in March 2016, to discuss the existing IPC practices in LMICs, and how best these can be improved within the local context.
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    Global infection prevention gaps, needs, and utilization of educational resources: A cross-sectional assessment by the International Society for Infectious Diseases
    (Elsevier, 2019) Desai, Angel N.; Ramatowski, John W.; Lassmann, Britta; Holmesa, Alison; Mehtar, Shaheen; Bearman, Gonzalo
    Objective: The Guide to Infection Control in the Hospital (Guide) is an open access resource produced by the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID) to assist in the prevention of infection acquisition and transmission worldwide. A survey was distributed to 8055 current Guide users to understand their needs. Methods: The survey consisted of 48-questions regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) availability and needs. Dichotomous questions, Likert scale-type questions, and open-and closed-ended questions were used. Results: Respondents (n = 1121) from 194 countries and six WHO regions participated in the survey. 43% (488) identified as physicians. Personal protective equipment (PPE) availability, training, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing varied between regions. Only 11% of respondents from low-income countries reported consistent access to respiratory equipment, 12% to isolation gowns, 4% to negative pressure rooms or personnel trained in IPC, and 20% to antimicrobial resistance testing. This differed significantly to high and upper middle-income resource settings (p < 0.05). 80% of all respondents used smartphones or tablets at the workplace. Conclusions: This survey demonstrates varied access to IPC equipment and training between high and low- income settings worldwide. Our results demonstrated many respondents across all regions utilize mobile technology, providing opportunities for rapid distribution of resource specific, up-to-date IPC content.