What Transmission Precautions Best Control Influenza Spread in a Hospital?

• DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwv293
• Publication Date: 2016-05-14T01:44:45Z
• Authors: Natalia Blanco; Marisa C. Eisenberg; Terri Stillwell; Betsy Foxman
• Keywords: Cross infection; Disease Transmission

Influenza is a significant problem within hospitals, leading to extended hospital stays, excess morbidity and mortality, economic loss. Prevention control strategies are generally "bundled"; therefore, the individual effects of particular value combined cannot be determined directly, making it difficult discern optimal strategy. To quantify joint effectiveness several known influenza infection measures used in general we simulated transmission at hypothetical Ann Arbor, Michigan, during 1-year seasonal epidemic (June 2012–June 2013), using susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered (SEIR) compartmental model. The population comprised patients health-care workers, interacting with its larger community population. Parameter ranges values were from literature (both national local Arbor) took into account coverage levels vaccination. most effective strategies, based on percent reduction cases, were: hand-washing (11%–27%), worker vaccination (6%–19%), prevaccination (4%–17%), patient isolation (5%–16%), antiviral treatment (4%–14%), use face masks (3%–10%). Use all together ideal compliance could potentially halve number observed cases influenza; under more realistic scenario, an almost 40% achieved. A multifaceted approach imperative prevent nosocomial settings.