American Journal of Infection Control

Highlights • How long is airborne SARS-CoV-2 infectious after an infected person leaves the room? Our work suggests over 4 hours under certain conditions. • The half-life for survival of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols is 1-3 hours based on the ability to culture virus in cells. However, it is less clear how long airborne SARS-CoV-2 remains capable of infecting people.

Affiliations Post-Doctorate in Nursing, PhD in Nursing, Adjunct Professor, Department of Assistance and Professional Guidance - DAOP, School of Nursing, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Advisory Professor at the Nursing Service in Surgical Center (SECC) of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA)

Highlights • Viral aerosols from toilet flushing pose a possible route of pathogen transmission. • Toilet lid closure prior to flushing is believed to mitigate cross-contamination. • We show toilet lid closure prior to flushing does not mitigate cross-contamination. • Brushing toilet bowl without disinfectant results in contamination of surfaces. • The use of a disinfectant during bowl cleaning reduces cross-contamination of surfaces.

Highlights • Viral aerosols from toilet flushing pose a possible route of pathogen transmission. • Toilet lid closure prior to flushing is believed to mitigate cross-contamination. • We show toilet lid closure prior to flushing does not mitigate cross-contamination. • Brushing toilet bowl without disinfectant results in contamination of surfaces. • The use of a disinfectant during bowl cleaning reduces cross-contamination of surfaces.

Highlights • HCWs in ED had the highest incidence of COVID-19. • Non-medical service supporters had a higher COVID-19 risk than physicians. • Among HCWs, COVID-19 was higher in other HCWs than in doctors or nurses. • The vaccine effectiveness of booster dose was high in HCWs. • Vaccination and IC strategies for high-risk departments and personnel are essential. Abstract Healthcare workers (HCWs) face a higher risk of infection and may transmit pathogens to patients during a pandemic.

Highlights • HCP self-reported and were observed to make PPE errors during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Less common HCP roles need training and education during a public health emergency. • The combination of repetitive job tasks and demands may contribute to PPE errors. • A systems-level approach to support HCP knowledge may improve adherence behavior. Abstract Infection precautions (IP) facilitate standardized and safe patient care.

Influenza epidemics annually impact a substantial portion of adults worldwide, leading to numerous hospitalizations and fatalities. While the primary goal of vaccination is to prevent influenza virus infection, breakthrough infections can still occur despite vaccination. Evaluating the vaccine effectiveness in preventing severe cases among hospitalized patients is crucial for enhancing vaccination strategies.

Highlights • Evidence on IPC interventions for the prevention of HAI in primary care is very limited. • Interventions were heterogeneous and all studies were assessed as high risk of bias. • There is a need for well-designed studies and improved reporting. • Specific case definitions of HAI in primary care are needed.

Holguin M. Standard precautions for healthcare workers and the role of isolation gowns, Education & Training. Available at 〈http://healthvie.com〉. Accessed January 9 2011 . Fischer 2nd, W.A. Uyeki T.M. Tauxe R.V. Ebola virus disease: what clinicians in the United States need to know. American Journal of Infection Control. 2015; 43: 788-793 Fischer Ii, W.A. Weber D.J. Wohl D.A. Personal protective equipment: protecting health care providers in an ebola outbreak. Clinical Therapeutics.

A significant reduction in bacterial growth on stethoscope membranes has been noticed after performing daily disinfection. Nevertheless, disinfection is rarely performed. We aimed to assess self-reported stethoscope disinfection practices among medical doctors, detect bacterial contamination on personal stethoscopes, and estimate the effectiveness of 70% ethanol as a stethoscope disinfecting agent.