Research gaps in protecting healthcare workers from SARS and other respiratory pathogens: an interdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder, evidence-based approach.
OBJECTIVE
To identify priorities for further research in protecting healthcare workers (HCWs) from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and other respiratory pathogens by summarizing the basic science of infectious bioaerosols and the efficacy of facial protective equipment; the organizational, environmental, and individual factors that influence the success of infection control and occupational health programs; and factors identified by HCWs as important.


METHODS
An extensive literature review was conducted and 15 focus groups held, mostly with frontline HCWs in Toronto. Critical gaps in knowledge were identified and prioritized.


RESULTS
Highest priority was given to organizational factors that create a climate of safety. Other priority areas included understanding aerosolization risks and practical measures to control bioaerosols at the source.


CONCLUSIONS
Further research is warranted to improve safety climate in health care and, specifically, to provide greater protection against respiratory pathogens.
Yassi
Annalee
A
Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in BC, Vancouver BC, Canada. annalee@ohsah.bc.ca
Moore
David
D
Fitzgerald
J Mark
JM
Bigelow
Philip
P
Hon
Chun-Yip
CY
Bryce
Elizabeth
E
D002170:Canada; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000458:organization & administration; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008397:Masks; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012106:Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission