- Title
- The impact of infection prevention and control practices (IPCs), including personal protective equipment (PPE), on the prevalence of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) in acute care hospitals during COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Creator
- Teus, J. K.; Mithen, L.; Green, H.; Hutton, A.; Fernandez, R.
- Relation
- Journal of Hospital Infection Vol. 147, Issue May 2024, p. 32-39
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2024.02.010
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2024
- Description
- Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to healthcare systems globally. Personal protective equipment has played a fundamental role in protecting healthcare workers and patients, but its effectiveness in reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) during the pandemic remains a subject of debate. Aim: To conduct a synthesis and meta-analysis of the best available evidence of the prevalence of HAIs using a before/after approach. Methods: A three-step search strategy was undertaken to locate published and unpublished studies. A search was performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. Screening of studies, data extraction and critical appraisal were performed by four independent reviewers. Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager. The review is reported in accordance with PRISMA and JBI guidelines for systematic reviews. Findings: Fifteen studies were included in the review. Three studies indicated a statistically significant increase in the number of positive cultures during the COVID-19 period compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. Pooled data showed a non-significant decrease in the number of patients with positive cultures in the COVID-19 period compared to pre-COVID-19. There were no significant differences in various bacterial infections except for a significant decrease in respiratory infections. Pooled data for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) indicated a significant increase during the COVID-19 period, but one study reported an increase in CLABSI incidence. Conclusion: The evidence from this review demonstrates a mixed impact of the COVID-19 pandemic precautions on HAIs.
- Subject
- hospital-acquired infections; personal protective equipment; COVID-19; systematic review; infection control; meta-analysis
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1500821
- Identifier
- uon:55023
- Identifier
- ISSN:0195-6701
- Rights
- x
- Language
- eng
- Reviewed
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