Knowledge of the transmission of tuberculosis and infection control measures for tuberculosis among healthcare workers.
Two hundred seventy-five of 325 (85%) healthcare workers (HCWs) completed a questionnaire testing their knowledge of transmission of tuberculosis (TB) and infection control measures for TB. Of the 75 HCWs with no patient contact, 49 (65%) felt that masks should be worn, and 40 (53%) would use gowns. In contrast, 175 (88%) of 200 HCWs having contact with patients thought masks should be worn, and 70 (35%) would use gowns (P = .0001 and .0085, respectively). Only 87% of HCWs with patient contact felt that respiratory precautions should be instituted for TB patients. The results of our survey showed that HCWs should be reeducated about TB.
Lai
K K
KK
Division of Infectious Disease and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, 01655, USA.
Fontecchio
S A
SA
Kelley
A L
AL
Melvin
Z S
ZS
D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007318:Inservice Training; D008404:Massachusetts; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D014481:United States