Infection prevention and control measures in practices of the Swiss sentinel network during seasonal influenza epidemics

Abstract

Background

There is limited data about healthcare influenza transmission in the context of primary care practices, despite the fact that a significant proportion of the population consults their primary care physician for an influenza-like illness every year.

Aim

We aimed to describe the use of influenza prevention and control methods in private practices of the Swiss sentinel network.

Methods

This online cross-sectional survey collected data about infection prevention and control measures in the 166 private practices of the Swiss sentinel surveillance network during the 2018-19 influenza season. Questions pertained to the practice setting, infection prevention and control recommendations, influenza vaccination of the physicians and their employees, adhesion to hand hygiene, and mask wearing.

Findings

Among the 122 practices that answered (response rate 73.5%), 90.2% of the responding physicians were themselves vaccinated, and 46.7% (56/120) estimated their staff vaccination coverage to be above 60%, although it was offered to employees in all practices. Most practices (68, 55.7%) had no specific recommendations for their staff concerning mask wearing. Most physicians reported washing or disinfecting their hands before examining a patient (91, 74.6%), after examination (110, 90.2%) and before a medical procedure (112, 91.8%). However, this rate decreased regarding arrival at the practice (78, 63.9%) or leaving it (83, 68.0%).

Conclusion

Most physicians of the Sentinella network are themselves vaccinated. However, the vaccination rates among employees are low, despite vaccine availability. Hand hygiene measures were also sub-optimal. These results warrant further efforts to implement infection prevention and control measures in the ambulatory setting.