Microbiology, infection control, immunizations, and infectious disease exposure: education and practices in United States nursing schools.
BACKGROUND
Previous data suggest that nursing students in the United States are inadequately protected against hepatitis B. This survey focused on the immunization and education practices, infection control knowledge, and follow-up to infectious disease exposure by U.S. nursing schools.


METHODS
To ascertain education requirements, immunization practices, and infectious disease postexposure follow up, a survey was sent to the director or dean of 1164 U.S. nursing schools.


RESULTS
Seven hundred sixty-five schools (65.7%) responded to the survey. A microbiology course was required before clinical experience by 49% of schools. Clinical experience in the operating room was given by 16%, 65% of schools offered infectious and communicable disease courses, and 98% offered universal precaution instructions. The hepatitis B vaccine was required by 11%; 2% required yearly influenza vaccination. In a comparison of programs, the diploma schools were more likely to have written policies for infectious disease exposure follow-up and to use appropriate agencies for exposure follow-up (p = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
A microbiology course before clinical experience should be encouraged. Immunization policies and infectious disease exposure follow-up are currently inadequate in U.S. associate degree and baccalaureate nursing programs.
Goetz
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Infectious Disease Section, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15240.
Yu
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Muder
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D003479:Curriculum; D004506:Education, Nursing; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008829:Microbiology / Q000193:education*; D012579:Schools, Nursing; D013338:Students, Nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D016635:Universal Precautions; D014611:Vaccination; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines