The Feasibility of an Infection Control "Safe Zone" in a Spinal Cord Injury Unit

Keshonna Lones; Swetha Ramanathan; Margaret Fitzpatrick; Jennifer N Hill; Marylou Guihan; Michael S A Richardson; Charlesnika T Evans

doi:10.1017/ice.2016.37

The Feasibility of an Infection Control "Safe Zone" in a Spinal Cord Injury Unit

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2016 Jun;37(6):714-6. doi: 10.1017/ice.2016.37. Epub 2016 Feb 26.

Authors

Keshonna Lones¹, Swetha Ramanathan¹, Margaret Fitzpatrick¹, Jennifer N Hill¹, Marylou Guihan¹, Michael S A Richardson², Charlesnika T Evans¹

Affiliations

¹ 1Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),Center of Innovation of Complex Chronic Healthcare and Spinal Cord Injury Quality Enhancement Research Initiative,Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital,Hines,Illinois.
² 4Spinal Cord Injury Service,Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital,Hines,Illinois.

PMID: 26916410
DOI: 10.1017/ice.2016.37

Abstract

We report on healthcare worker use of a safe zone (outside a 3-foot perimeter around the patient's bed) and personal protective equipment in 2 inpatient spinal cord injury/disorder units. Workers remained within the safe zone during 22% of observations but were less compliant with personal protective equipment inside the zone. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:714-716.

Publication types

Observational Study
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Cross Infection / prevention & control*
Feasibility Studies
Guideline Adherence / statistics & numerical data
Humans
Patients' Rooms
Personnel, Hospital
Prospective Studies
Protective Clothing
Spinal Cord Injuries / therapy*