Risk perception of the antimicrobial resistance by infection control specialists in Europe: a case-vignette study

Barriers and facilitators of implementation of new antibacterial technologies in patient care: an interview study with orthopedic healthcare professionals at a university hospital

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial resistance is a major global health threat. Therefore, promising new antibacterial technologies that could minimize our dependence on antibiotics should be widely adopted. This study aims to identify the barriers and facilitators of the adoption of new antibacterial technologies in hospital patient care.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews, based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, were conducted with healthcare professionals related to the orthopedics department of an academic hospital in The Netherlands.

RESULTS

In total, 11 healthcare professionals were interviewed. Scientific evidence for the effectiveness of the technology was the most explicitly mentioned facilitator of adoption, but other (often contextual) factors were also considered to be important. At the level of the inner and outer setting, high costs and lacking coverage, competition from other firms, and problems with ordering and availability were the most explicit perceived barriers to adoption. Participants did not collectively feel the need for new antibacterial technologies.

CONCLUSIONS

Barriers and facilitators of the adoption of new antibacterial technologies were identified related to the technology, the hospital, and external factors. The implementation climate might have an indirect influence on adoption. New antibacterial technologies that are scientifically proven effective, affordable, and easily obtainable will most likely be adopted.

Perceived COVID-19 Severity, Risk of Infection, and Prevention Self-Efficacy in Saudi Arabia During Lockdown: A Population-Based National Study

Evidence shows that the risk perception of humans can significantly affect their response to a threat. This population-based, cross-sectional study explored the determinants of perceived disease seriousness, perceived disease infectiveness, and perceived prevention self-efficacy of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during the lockdown period, using the health belief model for preventive behavior (HBMPB) among 4423 adults in Saudi Arabia from 13 provinces. Multivariate binary regression was used to analyze the independent factors of three risk perception variables and to measure their effect on adherence to preventive measures. Overall, COVID-19 seriousness was perceived to be higher than that of diabetes and lower than that of a heart attack, while its infectiousness was perceived to be high by 75.3% of the participants. Furthermore, 66.6% had a low perception of their prevention self-efficacy. The HBMPB showed independent effects of all three risk perception parameters on adherence to the preventive measures, including perceived seriousness (Odd's ratio [OR] = 1.26; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.01-1.56), infectiousness (OR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.52-2.38), and prevention self-efficacy (OR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.20-1.91). Authorities should maintain an optimal level of communication on the COVID-19 risk, communicate more about the virus' cycle and the disease to demystify the rationale of the preventive measures, and enhance confidence in their efficiency.

Abd El-Hack M. Using essential oils to overcome bacterial biofilm formation and their antimicrobial resistance

The increase of resistant bacteria puts a huge pressure on the antimicrobials in current use. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) results from antibiotic misuse and abuse over many years and is a global financial burden. New polices must be developed for the use of antimicrobials and to continue research efforts to mitigate AMR. It is essential to target the most harmful bacteria and concentrate on their mechanisms of resistance to develop successful antimicrobials. Essential oils (EOs) are occur naturally in plants and have long been used as antimicrobials, but most have not been researched. This review explores EOs as alternative antimicrobials, investigating their ability to decrease or inhibit biofilm formation, and assess their ability to contribute to AMR control. Low concentrations of EOs can inhibit Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Some EOs have demonstrated strong anti-biofilm activities. If EOs are successful against biofilm formation, particularly in bacteria developing AMR, they could be incorporated into new antimicrobials. Therefore, there is a need to investigate these EOs' potential, particularly for surface disinfection, and against bacteria from food, clinical and non-clinical environments.

Will the COVID-19 pandemic transform infection prevention and control in surgery? Seeking leverage points for organizational learning

BACKGROUND

In response to the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare systems worldwide have stepped up their infection prevention and control efforts in order to reduce the spread of the infection. Behaviours, such as hand hygiene, screening and cohorting of patients, and the appropriate use of antibiotics have long been recommended in surgery, but their implementation has often been patchy.

METHODS

The current crisis presents an opportunity to learn about how to improve infection prevention and control and surveillance (IPCS) behaviours. The improvements made were mainly informal, quick and stemming from the frontline rather than originating from formal organizational structures. The adaptations made and the expertise acquired have the potential for triggering deeper learning and to create enduring improvements in the routine identification and management of infections relating to surgery.

RESULTS

This paper aims to illustrate how adopting a human factors and ergonomics perspective can provide insights into how clinical work systems have been adapted and reconfigured in order to keep patients and staff safe.

CONCLUSION

For achieving sustainable change in IPCS practices in surgery during COVID-19 and beyond we need to enhance organizational learning potentials.