Due to a large part of their job contact with blood-borne viruses, healthcare workers such as nurses are more susceptible to acquiring infectious diseases. This increased risk includes established illnesses like tuberculosis (TB) and newly developing infections like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), H5/N1 avian influenza, and coronavirus. Nurses comprised 21% of the 8,096 cases worldwide during the SARS outbreak, highlighting their vulnerability (Bahl et al., 2022). The trend of elevated susceptibility among healthcare nurses is also observable in avian and swine influenza outbreaks, underscoring the occupational health difficulties encountered by individuals providing direct healthcare services (Mohanty et al., 2019).
Furthermore, even in high-income countries like Germany, where hygienic standards and immunization rates are highly developed, nurses are nonetheless prone to infections at work (Chughtai et al., 2019). Despite the existence hygienic procedures, nurses are always at risk for infectious diseases in the healthcare context. The nature of patient care and intimate contact can pose health hazards for nurses, even with robust vaccination regimes. The complex dynamics of healthcare settings and the unpredictable nature of patient circumstances make nurses vulnerable indefinitely (Mohanty et al., 2019). This emphasizes how crucial it is to maintain constant watchfulness, follow safety protocols, and research to improve workplace safety for medical workers so that their well-being is guaranteed even in highly sophisticated healthcare systems. In this regard, it is worthwhile to explore infectious disease exposure in nursing, consequently scrutinizing the feasible solution to the problem that affects nurses in the health sector.
Problem
Exposure to infectious illnesses at work is a complex issue that affects Healthcare Workers (HCWs) in a variety of settings and roles. HCWs in various settings, such as emergency response scenarios, outpatient clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes, are prone to infections (Bahl et al., 2022). The intricacy of the problem is increased by the variety of healthcare professions, including physicians, nurses, technicians, and administrative staff. Particular risks come with handling infectious agent exposure for every function and institution. Consequently, the risks vary among employees, job titles, and locations, emphasizing the necessity for customized strategies to successfully handle these occupational difficulties (Chughtai et al., 2019). To safeguard the health and safety of all healthcare workers, comprehensive measures must be implemented, which requires an understanding of and ability to navigate this diversity.
The three primary modes -airborne, droplet, and contact- of infectious disease transmission in hospital settings emphasize the intricacy of the disease’s transmission. People who come into contact with contaminated surfaces or diseased individuals risk contracting an infection through direct or indirect contact transmission (Mohanty et al., 2019). Respiratory droplets are involved in infections like influenza and pertussis, where transmission occurs through close contact. According to Hessels et al. (2019), a distinct problem is presented by airborne transmission, which involves microscopic particles floating in the atmosphere and aids in spreading diseases like tuberculosis and measles. The fact that this approach can cover large distances emphasizes how complex it is to control and prevent infectious diseases in medical settings.
Managing infectious disease exposure in nursing aims to make healthcare personnel’s working environments safer and healthier (Chughtai et al., 2019). This entails promoting a culture of awareness, prevention, continual improvement, and adhering to current requirements. The main objective is to reduce the danger of infectious diseases, improve workplace security, and protect the health and welfare of people committed to providing critical healthcare services (Mohanty et al., 2019). Doing this shall sensitize the stakeholders in the health sector to support a group endeavor that emphasizes the security and well-being of nurses, acknowledging their vital position in the healthcare system.
Search Strategies
Comprehensive search approaches help identify crucial information that can assist in efficient interventions and preventive steps to improve workplace safety for healthcare workers. This strategy includes but is not limited to surveillance data analysis, which aids in analyzing occupational health risks and infectious diseases among healthcare workers (Chughtai et al., 2019). Through surveillance data from major health organizations, government health departments, and occupational safety authorities such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and World Health Organization (WHO) examine patterns, frequencies of occurrence, and difficulties encountered in various healthcare environments (Mohanty et al., 2019). The intricate terrain of infectious disease exposure in nursing will be better understood thanks to this data-driven approach, making it easier to identify focused treatments and enhanced safety precautions for medical personnel.
Furthermore, interviews and surveys are also another approach that can be employed to collect relevant data about the problem. Bahl et al. (2022) contended that to obtain personal knowledge of the difficulties associated with infectious disease exposure, it is imperative to conduct surveys and interviews with healthcare professionals, especially nurses. Asking open-ended questions facilitates a detailed examination of their experiences, perceived threats, and insightful suggestions for development. This qualitative method guarantees a sophisticated comprehension of the intricate process and provides a comprehensive viewpoint that transcends statistical facts (Mohanty et al., 2019). The narratives gathered have the potential to influence significantly focused solutions and create a safer work environment for medical professionals.
Level of Evidence
There are different degrees of evidence covering a variety of information that is valuable for the research. This comprises descriptive data and historical context. The research emphasized how the hazards associated with their jobs make healthcare workers, especially nurses, more susceptible to infectious infections (Chughtai et al., 2019). Descriptive statistics emphasize the persistent vulnerability in healthcare environments and the difficulties these professionals encounter in their line of work. Moreover, references to significant epidemics such as SARS, avian influenza, and coronavirus effectively depict the historical backdrop. These examples are powerful instances that highlight infectious diseases’ real and substantial effects on healthcare workers worldwide (Mohanty et al., 2019). The epidemics also highlight how urgent it is to address this problem and protect the health of those who provide direct patient care.
Furthermore, observational evidence is another level of evidence that was identified during the exploration. Based on observational data collected from hospital environments, the research emphasizes how susceptible nurses are to infectious diseases, even in developed countries like Germany (Bahl et al., 2022). This acknowledgment emphasizes the absolute and inherent risks that healthcare professionals encounter and is based on their daily experiences. The three main transmission mechanisms, airborne, droplet, and contact, have also been identified, indicating an observational awareness of the complex dynamics through which infectious illnesses spread in hospital settings (Mohanty et al., 2019). This pragmatic understanding highlights how difficult it is to reduce risks and implement preventive measures within the problematic framework of providing healthcare.
Besides, expert opinion is also another level of evidence that was realized. The study employed a multimodal strategy to get evidence, using surveillance data and conducting interviews with medical experts (Bahl et al., 2022). Reliance on reputable health organizations, government health departments, and workplace safety authorities to offer specific and fact-based insight regarding infectious disease exposure by promoting surveillance data. Also, the interview and survey of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, indicate a desire for first-hand information and professional opinion (Chughtai et al., 2019). To improve individuals understanding of infectious disease exposure in nursing, this qualitative approach seeks to unearth nuanced opinions, perceived threats, and insightful recommendations from individuals working on the front line.
Literature Review
The influence of infectious agent exposures and outbreaks on the workload of Infection Preventions (IPs) and nurses in healthcare is examined in the article entitled “Impact of infectious exposures and outbreaks on nurse and infection preventionist workload,” authored by Hessels et al., and published in 2019. The article tackles the crucial need to comprehend the temporal burden of responding to particular infections to improve resource allocation. Responses to the surveys from 228 IPs and 150 nurses showed a notable increase in workload in response to different exposures (Hessels et al., 2019). Notably, significant time burdens were reported by IPs and nurses for exposures to influenza, scabies, and Clostridium difficile. The study identifies various tasks that lead to increased workload, including creating an exposure list, reviewing charts, educating patients and their families, and taking isolation procedures.
The results highlight the significance of individualized resource allocation techniques and illuminate healthcare personnel’s complex difficulties during infectious disease exposures (Hessels et al., 2019). The study provides insightful information on the tasks that take the most time, which helps administrators efficiently plan and manage healthcare teams. Besides, the study emphasizes the necessity of continual training and readiness and the possible influence of workload on infection prevention practices (Hessels et al., 2019). The research lays the groundwork for future research and treatments in healthcare-associated infection prevention by quantifying and comparing the perceptions of workload increases during exposures and outbreaks among nurses and IPSs.
The article by Alhumaid et al. (2021) emphasizes how crucial it is for healthcare workers to be knowledgeable about and adhere to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) strategies. Around the world, the incidence of Healthcare-associated Infections (HAIs) is a severe problem that jeopardizes patient safety and puts healthcare workers at risk. The article illustrates different levels of knowledge among HWCs regarding IPC measures; nonetheless, standard precautions, hand hygiene, and specific diseases, including TB, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MER-CoV), COVID-19, and Ebola, have shown generally positive results (Alhumaid et al., 2021). However, there are still gaps in people’s understanding of the risks of infection from needle sticks and sharp injuries, occupational vaccines, and disease transmission mechanisms.
The article highlights the significance of education and training to improve HCWs’ knowledge and comprehension of IPC. Although knowledge is essential, the article also emphasizes how knowledge and actual compliance with IPC norms have a complicated relationship (Alhumaid et al., 2021). Organizational and environmental factors, including workload, resource availability, and individual characteristics, such as education, training, and experience, can all impact compliance. Because of these problems’ complexity, intervention efforts must take a broad approach (Alhumaid et al., 2021). The article notes that despite increasing understanding, excellent knowledge is sometimes translated into good practice.
The necessity for customized methods addressing particular circumstances and issues faced by HCWs is highlighted by identifying confounding variables, including organizational and individual factors (Alhumaid et al., 2021). To improve compliance and lessen the burden of HAIs, the article advocated a multidimensional strategy that includes instruction, training, observation, feedback, and institutional collaboration (Alhumaid et al., 2021). It is accepted that the evaluated research had limitations, such as variations in methodology and subject variability. The persisting difficulties in this crucial healthcare field are shown in the calls for additional research and the adoption of social cognitive models to comprehend individual characteristics influencing IPC behavior.
Solutions
A comprehensive strategy that includes support systems and preventive measures is necessary to combat infectious disease exposure in nursing. It is imperative to establish comprehensive education and training initiatives to guarantee that nurses grasp infectious diseases, transmission routes, and appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols (Alhumaid et al., 2021). Regular updates on newly developing infectious risks are part of this. Healthcare facilities should also invest in providing sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and guarantee its appropriate use. Sufficient staffing numbers can lessen individual nurses’ workload, preventing fatigue-related errors in following IPC procedures (Mohanty et al., 2019). To maintain high compliance and identify areas for improvement, regular monitoring, feedback, and audit systems might be helpful.
In order to manage infectious disease exposure in nursing, it is essential to cultivate a strong safety culture within healthcare institutions. Facilitating a work atmosphere in which nurses can disclose exposures without worrying about facing reprisals allows for prompt intervention and assistance (Chughtai et al., 2019). Swift access to medical care and post-exposure prophylaxis are critical for reducing prospective perils. A resilient staff that is well-equipped to manage the challenges posed by communicable ailments is also generated by prioritizing the mental health support and overall well-being of nursing staff (Mohanty et al., 2019). By ensuring nurses’ physical and mental well-being, this comprehensive approach fosters a safer and more productive healthcare workplace.
Conclusion
Recognizing the various mechanisms of infectious disease transmission -airborne, droplet, and contact- underlines the difficulty of addressing these issues in the complex landscape of infectious disease transmission in hospital settings. Tailoring techniques become essential to effectively negotiate this complexity (Bahl et al., 2022). Tailoring strategies become possible when healthcare settings and professionals are acknowledged for their diverse risks. Knowing the unique hazards associated with each role, whether in emergency response scenarios, outpatient clinics, hospitals, or nursing homes, allows for a more focused and thoughtful approach (Chughtai et al., 2019). This customized strategy is crucial for efficiently handling work-related challenges and guaranteeing healthcare workers’ safety in various healthcare settings.
A comprehensive approach is required to address infectious disease exposure in nursing, with robust education and training programs as the foundation. Chughtai et al. (2019) argued that nurses must thoroughly comprehend infectious diseases, their transmission routes, and IPC protocols. Training programs should incorporate updates on emerging infectious dangers regularly. To avoid fatigue-related gaps in IPC processes, healthcare facilities should maintain sufficient personnel levels and prioritize PPE availability and proper use (Mohanty et al., 2019). An effective approach must include audit systems, feedback channels, and regular monitoring. These steps support a proactive reaction to changing infectious risk, pinpointing improvement areas, and sustaining high protocol compliance. Putting these preventive measures into practice creates an effective basis for minimizing exposure to infectious diseases.
The well-being of nurses depends on the healthcare industry developing a strong safety culture. According to Bahl et al. (2022), creating an atmosphere where people feel free to disclose exposures without fear of retaliation allows for prompt support and response. Prompt access to medical care and post-exposure prophylaxis is essential to reduce potential health risks. Furthermore, prioritizing nursing personnel’s mental health and overall wellness ensures their resilience and enhances their capacity to manage challenges arising from infectious diseases (Chughtai et al., 2019). This creates an environment in the workplace where physical and mental health are given priority to have a more resilient and efficient workforce in the healthcare industry.
References
Alhumaid, S., Al Mutair, A., Al Alawi, Z., Alsuliman, M., Ahmed, G. Y., Rabaan, A. A., … & Al-Omari, A. (2021). Knowledge of infection prevention and control among healthcare workers and factors influencing compliance: a systematic review. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 10(1), 1-32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-021-00957-0
Bahl, P., Doolan, C., De Silva, C., Chughtai, A. A., Bourouiba, L., & MacIntyre, C. R. (2022). Airborne or droplet precautions for health workers treating coronavirus disease 2019? The Journal of infectious diseases, 225(9), 1561–1568. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaa189
Chughtai, A. A., Stelzer-Braid, S., Rawlinson, W., Pontivivo, G., Wang, Q., Pan, Y., … & MacIntyre, C. R. (2019). Contamination by respiratory viruses on outer surface of medical masks used by hospital healthcare workers. BMC infectious diseases, 19(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-019-4109-x
Hessels, A. J., Kelly, A. M., Chen, L., Cohen, B., Zachariah, P., & Larson, E. L. (2019). Impact of infectious exposures and outbreaks on nurse and infection preventionist workload. American journal of infection control, 47(6), 623–627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2019.02.007
Mohanty, A., Kabi, A., & Mohanty, A. P. (2019). Health problems in healthcare workers: A review. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 8(8), 2568. https://doi.org/10.4103%2Fjfmpc.jfmpc_431_19
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