PAGE 1

Page 1

With a response rate of 55.3% (1258/2274), the study demonstrated that paramedic knowledge of infectious disease aetiology and modes of transmission was poor. Of the 25 infectious diseases included in the survey, only three aetiological agents were correctly identified by at least 80% of respondents. The most accurate responses for aetiology of individual infectious diseases were for HIV/AIDS (91.4%), influenza (87.4%), and hepatitis B (85.7%). Poorest results were observed for pertussis, infectious mononucleosis, leprosy, dengue fever, Japanese B encephalitis and vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE), all with less than half the sample providing a correct response. Modes of transmission of significant infectious diseases were also assessed. Most accurate responses were found for HIV/AIDS (85.8%), salmonella (81.9%) and influenza (80.1%). Poorest results were observed for infectious mononucleosis, diphtheria, shigella, Japanese B encephalitis, vancomycin resistant enterococcus, meningococcal meningitis, rubella and infectious mononucleosis, with less than a third of the sample providing a correct response. Results suggest that knowledge of aetiology and transmission of infectious disease is generally poor amongst paramedics. A comprehensive in-service education infection control programs for paramedics with emphasis on infectious disease aetiology and transmission is recommended. Infection control is an essential part of health care. The changing epidemiology of disease, widening scope of practice of health care providers and increased occupational risks associated with provision of health care have precipitated a review of infection control in Australia. Evidence-based infection control practice across nursing, medicine and dentistry is evolving. However, there is limited infection control research in the pre-hospital care environment. Shaban [1] identified the need to review ambulance paramedic infection control guidelines as a result of changing patterns of health care in the pre-hospital environment, new disease epidemiology and a lack of sound, specific research into pre-hospital infection control. This study aimed to establish baseline data on knowledge and reported practice in the pre-hospital context. In particular, this research examined levels of paramedic knowledge of infectious disease aetiology and modes of transmission in the pre-hospital environment.

1 2 3 4 5 6