Vaccination coverage in healthcare workers: a multicenter cross-sectional study in Italy.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, a phenomenon known as "vaccine hesitancy" has spread throughout the world, even among health workers, determining a reduction in vaccination coverage (VC).A study aimed at evaluating VC among healthcare workers (HCWs) in 10 Italian cities (L'Aquila, Genoa, Milan, Palermo, Sassari, Catanzaro, Ferrara, Catania, Naples, Messina) was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Annex 3 of the Presidential Decree n. 445 of 28 December 2000 was used to collect information on the vaccination status of HCWs. The mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated with regard to the quantitative variable (age), while absolute and relative frequencies were obtained for categorical data (sex, professional profile, working sector, vaccination status). The connection between VC and the categorical variables was evaluated by chi-square method (statistical significance at p < 0.05). The statistical analyses were performed by SPSS and Stata software. RESULTS: A total of 3,454 HCWs participated in the project: 1,236 males and 2,218 females.The sample comprised: physicians (26.9%), trainee physicians (16.1%), nurses (17.2%) and other professional categories (9.8%). Low VC was generally recorded. Higher VC was found with regard to polio, hepatitis B, tetanus and diphtheria, while coverage was very low for measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, chickenpox and influenza (20-30%). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed low VC rates among HCWs for all the vaccinations. Measures to increase VC are therefore necessary in order to prevent HCWs from becoming a source of transmission of infections with high morbidity and/or mortality both within hospitals and outside.

Evaluation of Vaccination Coverages in the Health Care Workers of a University Hospital in Southern Italy.

INTRODUCTION: An adequate immunization of the health care workers is essential for infection prevention and control, to avoid consequences not only for them, but for all patients that the health care workers could infect causing serious damage and / or death. Unfortunately, to date, despite the presence of international and national guidelines (Law Decree 119/2017), the vaccination coverage was low, also because of the "vaccine hesitancy" spread among the same health care workers. In light of the above, the aim of our study was to investigate the vaccination coverage of healthcare workers of all the operational units present in our hospital and to evaluate differences between sex, age, professional profile and area of work. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study was conducted from March to June 2018 to investigate the vaccination coverage of healthcare workers at the University hospital "G. Martino" of Messina; data were collected using a self-completion questionnaire based on Attachment 3 of Ministerial Circular 25233 of 18 August 2017. We verified any possible association between physicians and pediatricians and between age classes by the chi square method. Also, a logistic regression was used for each vaccination, considering the vaccination as the variable and the following covariates: type of operative unit, sex, age and area) in order to predict the probability of vaccination. RESULTS: We analyzed a sample of 822 health care workers (324 males and 498 females with an age of 49.5 ± 10.5 SD). The sample was made up of physicians (36%), nurses (21%) and other professional categories (43%). Analyzing the data we obtained vaccination coverages lower than the target required to guarantee "herd immunity"; higher vaccination coverages were found for females, physicians and the clinical area and - for influenza vaccination - in the older age groups and - for all the other vaccinations - in the younger groups. CONCLUSION: Data analysis revealed a lax attitude towards vaccinations by health care workers and the need for measures aimed at increasing vaccination their coverage to prevent them from becoming a source of dangerous outbreaks.

Surveillance of microbiological contamination and correct use of protective lead garments.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare associated infections are an important threat of Public Health. Several studies investigated the possible role played by the hospital environment in the transmission of nosocomial pathogens. In addition to the "classic" nosocomial surfaces, some researches focused their attention on "alternative" surfaces. Little is known about the protective lead garments used in operating rooms. STUDY DESIGN: This study was conducted in three phases to investigate the microbiological contamination and the normal use of these garments. In the first step, we administered a questionnaire to know the frequency and the type of sanitation. Then, in the second step, we conducted the microbiological samplings and, finally, in the third step, we carried out a surveillance on the use of these garments during the surgical procedures. METHODS: In the first step, we administered the questionnaire through direct interview. For microbiological sampling we used sterile swabs, the normal growth media and the API Identification System (bioMérieux). RESULTS: The study showed that the garments are sanitized only in 66.7% of the cases with a non-defined frequency. Moreover, a bacterial contamination was found on 88 garments with a positivity of 80.7% and the units with the higher rate of contamination were Urology, Orthopedics, Neuroradiology and Intensive Cardiac Care. Finally, 100% of the surgical team members wore sterile disposable shirts above the protective lead garments while this was never true for the rest of the nursing and anaesthesia team. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent the contamination of these garments, it is important to develop appropriate sanitation procedures and to store them in special cabinets also subjected to sanitation. Finally, it is necessary to focus on the correct use of the protective lead garments.