Mapping Australia's COVID-19 quarantine cohort journeys.

BACKGROUND: Australia rapidly developed COVID-19 quarantine programs to reduce the adverse outcomes of a novel pathogen imported by visitors and returned travellers. Different quarantine pathways were utilised over the pandemic, yet no definitive cohort map exists to guide future preparedness. We created a whole-of-system cohort journey map of Australian quarantine cohorts to inform future pandemic preparedness activities. METHODS: Australian parliamentary websites and Google were searched for publicly available grey literature from 2019 to 2023. Data about quarantine cohorts, pandemic plans and documents, journey activities, viral escape events, and quarantine recommendations were extracted and plotted to produce a whole-of-system cohort journey map. RESULTS: The system mapping process identified 22 distinct quarantine cohort journeys during COVID-19, yet few of the cohorts were mentioned in pandemic and emergency plans. Viral escape events were documented 27 times, and COVID-19 reviews and inquiries produced 282 quarantine-specific recommendations. Cohorts included international and domestic travellers who experienced home, hotel, and facility quarantine iterations. Other cohorts, such as humanitarian evacuations, diplomats, airline crews, community close contacts, and people experiencing homelessness, had distinctive quarantine journeys. CONCLUSIONS: This whole-of-system quarantine cohort map furthers the case for governments and policymakers to update pandemic plans to include the 22 identified cohorts and test plans through pandemic exercises. Recommendations from inquiries should be acquitted to reduce the risk of viral escape and to strengthen national preparedness if quarantine systems are required in future pandemic responses.

Post implementation quarantine recommendations that support preparedness: A systematic review and quarantine implementation capability framework.

BACKGROUND: During COVID-19, countries utilised various quarantine systems to achieve specific outcomes. At different stages and durations, voluntary and mandatory quarantine occurred in homes, hotels and facilities based on local and national elimination strategies. Countries are incorporating quarantine lessons from COVID-19 into revising pandemic plans as part of the World Health Organization's Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) activities. This review aimed to amalgamate quarantine post implementation recommendations from a whole-of-system perspective. METHODS: This review utilised MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, APA, and PsycINFO. To capture all pandemics, no date restriction was applied. Recommendations were synthesised and inductively grouped into quarantine capability categories. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023420765). RESULTS: A total of 449 published articles were screened, with 51 articles included and 156 recommendations extracted. Recommendations were grouped into 15 quarantine capability categories, comprising governance, preparation, infection prevention and control, ventilation, compliance, data, information and technology, safety-quality-risk, communication, healthcare model, home quarantine, hotel quarantine, facility quarantine, workforce, and resident considerations. The capability categories were further consolidated into strategic, structural, and operational domains to support the whole-of-system perspective. CONCLUSION: The quarantine implementation capability framework generated provides comprehensive and deeper insights into the essential capabilities required for quarantine systems to support governments in PRET activities, including reviewing and revising pandemic plans and developing quarantine preparedness exercises.

Australian health care workers experience of PPE related side-effects. A cross-sectional survey.

Introduction: Protection of health care workers (HCWs) is a fundamental aspect of an effective pandemic response. During the COVID-19 pandemic, frequency, and duration of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use increased. The experience of PPE-related side-effects has potential to contribute to decreased compliance resulting in breaches in infection prevention and increasing risk of HCW exposure. This study aims were to measure the frequency of PPE-related side-effects amongst HCW in Australia, and to establish if an increased frequency of adverse reactions was related to the significant increase in use and extended duration of time spent in PPE. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used. Results: Of the 559 respondents the majority were female (83.7%), aged 31-45 years old (33.6%). A pre-existing skin condition was reported by 266 (47.6%). Frequency of PPE related side-effects were: pressure-related 401 (71.7%), skin 321 (57.4%) and respiratory 20 (3.6%). Surgical mask use was significantly associated with pre-exiting skin conditions (ß = 1.494 (SE 0.186), df (1), p < 0.001). Side effects to N95 respirator use was more commonly reported by staff working in COVID-19 high-risk areas (ß = 0.572 (SE 0.211), df (1), p = 0.007) independent of work duration (ß = -0.056 (SE 0.075), df (1), p = 0.456), and pre-existing skin conditions (ß = 1.272, (SE.198), df (1), p < 0.001). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant increase in the use of PPE. While the preventative benefits of PPE are significant, adverse events related to PPE use are frequently reported by HCW. Findings in this study highlight the need for innovation in PPE design to maximize protection while decreasing adverse effects and maintaining adhere to use.

Australian emergency nurses' experiences of working with personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a need to understand the challenges associated with wearing Personal protective Equipment (PPE). The aim in this study was to explore emergency nurses' experiences early in the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and the impact of PPE use on their practice. METHODS: An explorative descriptive qualitative study was conducted between January 2022 and April 2022. Eighteen emergency nurses and six leaders participated. Semi-structured interviews (n = 21) and one focus group were conducted. Interview transcripts were analysed using Braun and Clarke's framework. RESULTS: Two major themes were identified. The first theme was: (1) The shifting ground of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Associated sub-themes were: i) What's the go with PPE today? ii) In the beginning we were scrambling for masks; iii) Emergency is the true frontline. The second theme was: (2) Physical and emotional impacts of emergency nursing work. Sub-themes were: (i) Facing the fear of exposure; (ii) By the end of the shift I am just absolutely spent; iii) Discomfort of wearing PPE impacts on compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare leaders need to secure PPE supply chains and evaluate the effectiveness and side-effects of different PPE designs to minimise occupational harms associated with prolonged PPE use.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department team dynamics and workforce sustainability in Australia. A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged health care professionals and changed our approach to care delivery. The aim in this study was to explore nurses' experiences providing care in the ED during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and the impact of this on ED team functioning. METHODS: A qualitative explorative descriptive study was conducted using thematic analysis strategies. Participants comprised: Registered Nurses (n = 18) working in clinical roles in the Emergency Department and Leadership Registered Nurses (n = 6) within the organisation. One on one interviews (n = 21) and one focus group interview were conducted utilising semi-structured, conversational style, in-depth interviews between January 2022 and April 2022. RESULTS: Two major themes were identified that described the impact on ED team dynamics and longer-term impacts on the ED nursing workforce. The first major theme was: 'Changed Emergency Department team identity and dynamics' and included four sub-themes: i) PPE is a barrier to team camaraderie; ii) outsiders versus insiders - ambivalence to PPE spotter role; iii) personal safety comes first in a pandemic; and iv) using PPE depersonalises the whole patient experience. The second major theme was: 'This pandemic caught everyone off guard' and had three sub-themes. The associated sub-themes were: i) People outside ED have no understanding of what it has been like; ii) COVID-19 is here to stay - Permanent changes to care delivery and nursing practice; and iii) tenacity of a true profession. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings illuminated the dynamics and functionality of ED nursing, encompassing the unique qualities of camaraderie, autonomy, resilience and tenacity.

Forecasting pandemic quarantine in New Zealand and Australia: A scoping review of quarantine characteristics and capabilities within preparedness plans and pandemic exercise reports from 2002 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: This scoping review aims to identify and critically review quarantine preparedness in New Zealand and Australia pre-COVID-19 by categorising, comparing, and evaluating quarantine information contained within pandemic plans and exercises from both countries. METHODS: Parliamentary websites, including Archives New Zealand, ParlInfo and Google Scholar, were searched for publicly available plans and exercise reports from 2002 to 2019. Data were extracted from documents meeting the inclusion criteria and analysed using directive content analysis based on the Australian Disaster Preparedness Framework categories. This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews, which guided the data extraction, analysis, and presentation of results. RESULTS: A total of 16 documents mentioned quarantine and were included in this scoping review. The emphasis and level of detail regarding quarantine characteristics and capabilities varied between New Zealand's five documents (one plan and four exercise reports) and Australia's 11 documents (one Influenza pandemic plan, eight state plans and two exercise reports). New Zealand's plan forecasted the need for both voluntary quarantine at home and involuntary quarantine in facilities for incoming travellers, whilst the Australian Influenza pandemic plan and state plans primarily considered voluntary quarantine within private residences. Capability gaps identified during exercises were not consistently incorporated into revised plans. Some government documents containing information on quarantine may not be publicly available, limiting the available evidence for this review. CONCLUSION: This scoping review highlights the need to incorporate a range of possible quarantine options into plans and preparation activities to test and identify gaps in government and responsible agencies' capabilities. Pandemic preparedness will be strengthened by incorporating quarantine scale and duration variables into exercise scenarios.

"Building the plane while flying it" Reflections on pandemic preparedness and response; an organisational case study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to learn about acute health organisations experiences implementing a pandemic response plan in real-time. This study was conducted to explore organisational leader's perspectives and experience activating a COVID-19 pandemic response plan in their health service and the impact of this on service provision, clinicians, and consumers. METHODS: This study was conducted at a large metropolitan health service in Australia that provides acute, subacute, and residential aged care services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 key participants from the COVID-19 leadership team between November-January 2021/2022. A semi-structured interview guide was developed to explore how the health service developed a clinical governance structure, policy and procedures and experience when operationalising each element within the Hierarchy of Controls Framework. Thematic analysis was used to code data and identify themes. A cross-sectional survey of frontline healthcare workers on the impacts and perceptions of infection control practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, was also completed in 2021 with 559 responses. RESULTS: Twelve organisational leaders completed the semi-structured interviews. Key themes that emerged were: (1) Building the plane while flying it, (2) A unified communications strategy, (3) Clinicians fear 'my job is going to kill me', (4) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supply and demand, and (5) Maintaining a workforce. When surveyed, front-line healthcare workers responded positively overall about the health services pandemic response, in terms of communication, access to PPE, education, training, and availability of resources to provide a safe environment. CONCLUSION: Health service organisations were required to respond rapidly to meet service needs, including implementing a pandemic plan, developing a command structure and strategies to communicate and address the workforce needs. This study provides important insights for consideration when health service leaders are responding to future pandemics. Future pandemic plans should include detailed guidance for acute and long-term care providers in relation to organisational responsibilities, supply chain logistics and workforce preparation.

Emergency department assessment and management of children with gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND: Acute gastroenteritis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The aim of this study was to explore assessment and management of children aged between 6 and 48 months presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute gastroenteritis. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 340 children aged 6-48 months. Data were collected by medical record audit for children presenting between 1 January and 31 December 2019. RESULTS: General assessments were appropriate, specific dehydration assessment, blood pressure measurement and fluid balance chart documentation could be improved. Management of children with severe or no/mild dehydration was largely compliant with current recommendations: there was variability in management of children with moderate dehydration. There were no significant differences between Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in terms of dehydration severity and pathology abnormalities, however there were differences in management strategies. CONCLUSIONS: ED management of children with gastroenteritis was largely consistent with, or superior to, evidence-based recommendations. There was variability in the management of children with moderate dehydration and Australian Aboriginal children but it is unclear whether this is suboptimal or patient specific care. This study has highlighted areas for further research in this unique context.

Perspectives of family-centred care at the end of life during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative descriptive study.

AIM: To explore nurses' and family members' perspectives of family care at the end of life, during restricted visitation associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: To minimise the transmission of COVID-19, stringent infection prevention and control measures resulted in restricted hospital access for non-essential workers and visitors, creating challenges for the provision of family-centred care at the end of life. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive approach based on naturalistic inquiry. METHODS: At a large public hospital in Melbourne, Australia, individual semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 15 registered nurses who cared for patients who died during restricted visitation associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and 21 bereaved family members. COREQ guidelines informed analysis and reporting. RESULTS: Five themes developed from the data: (i) impact of visitor restrictions, which describes uncertain, ambiguous and arbitrary rules, onerous and inconsistent requirements; (ii) nurse-family communication; (iii) family-centred care and interrupted connections; (iv) well-being and negative emotions; and (v) suggestions for a better way, such as moving away from the black and whiteness of the rules, prioritising communication, compassion and advocacy. CONCLUSIONS: Negative consequences for communication and the patient-family connection at the end of life were felt deeply. The evolving COVID-19 rules that were frequently revised and applied at short notice, and the subsequent consequences for clinical practices and care were felt deeply. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Technology-facilitated communication, innovation and increased resources must be prioritised to overcome the challenges described in this study. A family-centred approach to care and emphasising the patient-family connection at the end of life is fundamental to minimising trauma and distress associated with future public health emergencies. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Bereaved family members contributed their first-hand experience. Members of the health service's patient experience team ensured the research was conducted in accordance with health service guidelines for patient and public contribution.

Applying terror management theory as a framework to understand the impact of heightened mortality salience on children, adolescents, and their parents: A systematic review.

Terror Management Theory (TMT) posits that controlling death anxiety is a driving force behind many aspects of social behavior. The objective in this systematic review was to explore how TMT is used to explain children's, adolescents', and parents' behavior when exposed to situations that increase mortality salience. A systematic search identified 2484 papers; 14 studies met eligibility criteria. Key topics explored were mortality salience, death thoughts, and distal defenses. Findings indicate that adolescents comprehend death and have mortality salience reactions like adults, highlighting the potential for TMT to be used to explain children's and adolescents' social behavior in high-stress situations.

LGBTQ+ Loss and Grief in a Cis-Heteronormative Pandemic: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis of the COVID-19 Literature.

LGBTQ+ people are no stranger to loss and grief, particularly during times of pandemic such as the 1980s-90s HIV/AIDS pandemic and now, the COVID-19 pandemic. Current COVID-19 loss and grief research remains relatively silent on LGBTQ+ peoples' loss and grief experiences. The aim of this research was to conduct a qualitative evidence synthesis of LGBTQ+ people's COVID-19 loss and grief experiences reported in the literature. A systematic search and inclusion strategy identified 22 relevant articles for review. Inductive thematic synthesis resulted in five loss-focused themes across the articles: (1) loss of work and livelihood, (2) loss of social and kinship connection, (3) loss of LGBTQ+ community connection, (4) loss of physical and mental health supports and (5) loss of LGBTQ+ identity authenticity, affirmation and visibility. Discussion of these themes highlights the many layered and often disenfranchised nature of LGBTQ+ people's loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Frequency and Characteristics of Medical Complications in Rehabilitation Settings: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the available evidence on medical complications occurring in adult patients in subacute inpatient rehabilitation, and to describe the impact on subacute length of stay and readmission to acute care. DESIGN: Scoping review. SUBJECTS: Adult patients, within the inpatient rehabilitation environment, who experienced medical complications, clinical deterioration and/or the requirement of transfer to acute care. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE and CINAHL electronic databases was undertaken to identify primary research studies published in English and French during the period 2000-2021. Study reporting followed the standards indicated by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist (PRISMA-ScR). RESULTS: A total of 47 studies were identified for inclusion. Key results included differences in the type and frequency of complications according to admission type, the proportion of patients experiencing at least 1 complication, and complications associated with transfer to acute care. CONCLUSION: Patients admitted for inpatient rehabilitation are at high risk of medical complications and may not be medically stable during their admission, requiring care by clinicians with expertise in functional rehabilitation, and ongoing management by members of the multidisciplinary team with expertise in acute general medicine, infectious diseases and recognition and response to clinical deterioration.

Environmental cleaning and infection prevention and control: The role of Patient Service Assistants.

BACKGROUND: In Australia, Patient Service Assistants are an integral part of all health care settings, yet there is a paucity of studies considering their understandings and perceptions of their role about infection prevention and control. The aim in this study was to explore haematology Personal Service Assistants' experience, understanding and perceptions of their role in improving patient safety through environmental cleaning. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was utilised to collect data from cleaning staff via focus groups. Three semi-structured focus groups were conducted. RESULTS: Seven Patient Service Assistants participated in the study out of 11 employed. Two key themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (1) Playing a major role in Infection Prevention and Control, and (2) prioritising good interpersonal relationships over promoting infection prevention and control. Patient Service Assistants emphasised the importance of their involvement in keeping the ward clean, including patients' rooms and surroundings, to prevent cross infection. Most participants underlined the dilemmas they faced when visitors and/or informal cleaning employees or casual ward staff did not adhere to ward infection prevention and control norms. CONCLUSION: Patient Service Assistants were employing key infection prevention and control principles in their ward cleaning routine, with the aim of achieving a safer patient environment although they were reluctant to challenge observed practice deviations. The role of Patient Service Assistants highlights the widely held misconception that patient safety is solely dependent on healthcare workers.

Health care workers' experience of personal protective equipment use and associated adverse effects during the COVID-19 pandemic response in Singapore.

AIM: One of the greatest challenges in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is preventing staff exposure and infection by ensuring consistent and effective use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This study explored health care workers' experience of prolonged PPE use in clinical practice settings and their concerns regarding PPE supply, effectiveness and training needs. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted in this study. METHODS: Health care workers (N = 592) from an acute care hospital completed an online survey from July to September 2020 assessing: (i) usage frequencies, side effects and interference with patient care; and (ii) perceptions of access to PPE, likelihood of exposure to infection and adequacy of PPE training. RESULTS: PPE-related side effects were reported by 319 (53.8%) participants, the majority being nurses (88.4%) and those working in high-risk areas such as the emergency department (39.5%), respiratory wards (acute 22.3% and non-acute 23.8%) and COVID-19 isolation ward (13.8%). The average time wearing PPE per shift was 6.8 h (SD 0.39). The most commonly reported symptoms were from donning N95 masks and included: pressure injuries (45.5%), mask-induced acne (40.4%) and burning/pain (24.5%). Some 31.3% expressed that PPE-related side effects had negatively affected their work. The odds of having PPE-associated side effects was higher in women (OR 2.10, 95% CI [1.29-03.42], p = .003) and those working in high-risk wards (OR 3.12, 95% CI [2.17-4.60], p < .001]. Most (90.1%) agreed that PPE supplies were readily available, sufficient for all (86.1%) and there was sufficient training in correct PPE use (93.6%). Only 13.7% of participants reported being 'highly confident' of overall PPE protection. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention and management of PPE-related adverse effects is vital to: preserve the integrity of PPE, improve adherence and minimize viral transmission. IMPACT: The high incidence of PPE-associated pressure injuries and perception that PPE use can interfere with clinical care should inform future development of PPE products, and strategies to better equip health care workers to prevent and manage PPE-related side effects.

Factors influencing self-reported adherence to standard precautions among Thai nursing students: A cross sectional study.

AIM: This study explored nursing students' compliance with standard precautions (SPs) and attitudes to SPs in Thailand, to identify factors that may increase adherence to SPs and infection prevention and control best practice. BACKGROUND: In the context of high rates of healthcare associated infections as in Thailand, effective strategies to promote high levels of clinician adherence to SPs is a priority. Nursing students are one group of healthcare workers who play a vital role in caring for patients and constitute the future nursing workforce. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design was used. METHODS: A self-reported survey comprising the Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale and the Factors Influencing Adherence to Standard Precautions Scale were distributed to nursing students as a Thai paper-based survey. RESULTS: A total of '533 second' to fourth year nursing students from a tertiary nursing school in Bangkok, Thailand completed the survey. The average nursing student compliance to SPs was 68.5%. Most (91.2%) reported only using water for handwashing and 57.2% reported reuse of surgical masks. The fourth-year students had higher compliance (M=3.90, SD=1.12) on the 'prevention of cross infection from person-to-person' dimension while second-year students reported higher compliance on the 'disposal of sharps' (M=2.67, SD=0.57) dimension. 'Contextual Cues' was identified as the factor (M=3.41, SD=0.40) that had the greatest influence on adherence and 'Practice Culture' (M=1.84, SD=0.66) and 'Justification' (M = 1.35, SD.68 had the lowest influence. Fourth year students identified 'Leadership' (M=2.90, SD=0.49) as an important influence on adherence to SPs. CONCLUSIONS: To increase nursing students' adherence there needs to be greater emphasis on the importance of SPs in theoretical sessions and regular monitoring and feedback on hand hygiene performance and personal protective equipment use while students are on placements. More visible organizational leadership and promotion of high levels of adherence to SPs may assist students to translate their theoretical knowledge into practice.

A comparison of the public's use of PPE and strategies to avoid contagion during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and Germany.

The SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 pandemic has raised public awareness around disease protection. The aims in this study were to recruit participants from Australia and Germany to determine their use of personal protective equipment and COVID-19 avoidance strategies using scales designed for this study. Principal components analysis with the Australian data revealed two factors in the Protection from Infection Scale, Self-Care and Protective Behaviors, and a single factor in the Infection Avoidance Scale, with each scale demonstrating strong internal reliability. Data from German participants were used to confirm the scales' structure using confirmatory factor analysis. A comparison of the two data sets data revealed that Australian participants scored higher overall on protection and avoidance strategies but at the item level there were several commonalities, including self-care behaviors people adopted to avoid contracting COVID-19. With no foreseeable end to this pandemic, it is important that follow-up studies ascertain whether the public continues to adopt high levels of PPE use and follows government advice or if pandemic fatigue sets in.

An investigation into nursing students' application of infection prevention and control precautions.

BACKGROUND: Undergraduate education of Health Care Workers is pivotal to ensuring that frontline clinicians have appropriate knowledge and skills in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe undergraduate nursing students' self-reported compliance with Standard Precautions and to explore the psychosocial factors that influence adherence in clinical practice. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design was used. SETTING: The study was conducted in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at an Australian University. PARTICIPANTS: All undergraduate nursing students were invited to participate in an online survey; 321 participated, mean age 25.7 years (SD = 8.4). The majority, 196 (61%), had no healthcare work experience, 54 (17%) were patient-care assistants, 40 (13%) enrolled nurses, and 31 (9%) were nurses registered overseas. METHODS: Two validated instruments were used: the Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale (CSPS) and the Factors Influencing Adherence to Standard Precautions Scale- Student version (FIASPS-SV). Linear regression was used to measure the impact of psychosocial factors on self-reported compliance. RESULTS: Overall self-reported compliance with prevention of cross-infection was 83%, use of Personal Protective Equipment (81%), correct disposal of sharps (83%) and general waste (75%), and equipment decontamination (69%). The predominant factors endorsed on the FIASPS-SV were 'Leadership' (M = 15.21 SD = 5.28) and 'Contextual cues' (M = 19.09 SD = 6.37). Multivariate linear regression demonstrated that after adjusting for age, gender and years of nursing study, the Leadership factor predicted participants' self-reported compliance on the 'prevention of cross-infection' (p < .001), 'use of PPE' (p < .001), 'waste disposal' (p = .021), and 'decontamination of equipment' (p < .001) sub-domains of the CSPS. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight that strong clinical leadership and role modelling are essential to ensure all healthcare students prioritise rigorous adherence with infection prevention and control guidelines.

Nursing students' awareness and perceptions of nurses' role in antimicrobial stewardship.

Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to public health worldwide. Antimicrobial stewardship programs and interventions aiming to optimise the use of antibiotics, are increasingly used to ensure judicious use of antibiotics and limit the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Nurses are pivotal in antimicrobial stewardship however nursing students' awareness of such programs has not been investigated. This study aimed to elicit nursing students' perspectives and perceptions of the nurse's role in antimicrobial stewardship. A cross-sectional design was utilised to survey pre-registration nursing students. A total of 321 nursing students enrolled in an Australian university participated. The survey comprised questions on knowledge and opinions regarding the nurse's role in AMS and on a range of topics relating to antimicrobial stewardship and antimicrobial resistance, through closed and open-ended questions. While 44.5% of participants indicated they were familiar with the term Antimicrobial Stewardship, 70.7% believed they had very little or no knowledge of the principles. Completion of subjects with a focus on quality and safety in nursing practice and quality use of medications was associated with greater awareness. Findings underscore the need to engage nursing students in discussions exploring the problem of antimicrobial resistance and the important role nurses play in Antimicrobial Stewardship programs.

Evaluating knowledge and perception of antimicrobial stewardship among nurses in an acute care hospital.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial stewardship programs are essential to reduce the risks of antimicrobial resistance. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was used to evaluate nurses' knowledge and perceptions of antimicrobial stewardship. RESULTS: Of 241 nurses recruited, 22.9% reported good knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship. Nurses agreed that ensuring appropriate antimicrobial use, hygiene for preparation, administration and disposal of antibiotics, as well as educating colleagues, patients and public were vital. Many felt that to reduce the impact of antimicrobial resistance, AMS should be included in the undergraduate nursing curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: Improving the awareness of and education on AMS and AMR among nurses is an essential element in infection and prevention control.

The Factors Influencing Adherence to Standard Precautions Scale - Student version (FIASP- SV): A psychometric validation.

BACKGROUND: Standard Precautions have been demonstrated to limit infection transmission in the healthcare setting. Despite their mandated use, adherence by healthcare professionals remains suboptimal. A nursing curriculum embedding infection prevention and control is essential in equipping future healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge to improve patient safety. There are no psychometrically-validated tools that specifically assess influences on nursing students' adherence to standard precautions. METHODS: The aim in this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the five-factor Factors Influencing Adherence to Standard Precautions within a sample of undergraduate nursing students studying at one Australian University. RESULTS: Data from 321 participants were used to test the 5 factors structure, using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The goodness of fit indices did not support adequate fit of the data and the data were submitted to a random split-half sample factor analysis process. A four-factor solution was extracted with good to acceptable internal reliabilities (α = .66 -.80). CONCLUSION: There are distinctive differences in the factors that influence student versus registered nurses' behaviour and clinical decision-making in relation to use of SP. The Factors Influencing Adherence to Standard Precautions (Student Version) has good psychometric properties and is suitable for use with nursing students. Having measures specific to students is essential as measures developed for healthcare professionals might not be applicable to a nursing student population.