Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-17T16:53:07.609Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Evaluation of a Pandemic Preparedness Training Intervention for Emergency Medical Services Personnel

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Robyn R.M. Gershon ,
Nikole Vandelinde ,
Lori A. Magda ,
Julie M. Pearson ,
Andrew Werner  and
David Prezant
Robyn R.M. Gershon*
Affiliation:
Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York USA
Nikole Vandelinde
Affiliation:
Fire Department of New York, New York, New York USA
Lori A. Magda
Affiliation:
Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York USA
Julie M. Pearson
Affiliation:
Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York USA
Andrew Werner
Affiliation:
Fire Department of New York, New York, New York USA
David Prezant
Affiliation:
Fire Department of New York, New York, New York USA
*
Mailman School of Public HealthColumbia University722 West 168th Street, Room 938 New York, New York 10032 USA E-mail: rg405@columbia.edu
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Introduction:

Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel play an integral role during the national response to a pandemic event. To help ensure their health and safety, especially during the early stages of an outbreak, knowledge and adherence with personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection control strategies will be essential.

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a multi-method, pandemic preparedness training intervention using a pre-/post-test design.

Methods:

A convenience sample of 129 EMS personnel participated in a training program on pandemic preparedness. Training consisted of an educational intervention with a focus on the routes of transmission of the influenza virus, proper use of respiratory PPE, agency policies regarding infection control practices, and seasonal influenza vaccination. This was followed by a skill-based drill on respirator fit-checking and proper respirator donning and doffing procedures.

Results:

Pre-/post-test results indicate a significant increase in knowledge and behavioral intentions with respect to respirator use, vaccination with seasonal influenza vaccine, and willingness to report to duty during a pandemic.

Conclusions:

This method was effective in increasing knowledge and compliance intentions in EMS healthcare personnel. Further research should focus on whether training results in behavior modification.

Keywords

educational training interventionemergency medical servicesinfection controlinfluenza vaccinationpandemic influenzapandemic preparednessrespirator fit-checkingrespiratory personal protective equipment
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 24 , Issue 6 , December 2009 , pp. 508 - 511
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Aledort, JE, Lurie, N, Wasserman, J, Bozzette, SA: Non-pharmaceutical public health interventions for pandemic influenza: An evaluation of the evidence base. BMC Public Health 2007;7:208.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2. Tokars, J, McKinley, GF, Otten, J, et al. : Use and efficacy of tuberculosis infection control practices at hospitals with previous outbreaks of multi-resistant tuberculosis. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2001;22(7):449–455.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Shigayeva, A, Green, K, Raboud, JM, et al. : Factors associated with critical-care healthcare workers' adherence to recommended barrier precautions during the Toronto severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2007;28(11):1275–1283.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. Gamage, B, Moore, D, Copes, R, et al. : Protecting healthcare workers from severe acute respiratory syndrome and other respiratory pathogens: A review of the infection control literature. AJIC 2005;33(2):114–121.Google Scholar
5. Visentin, L, Bondy, S, Schwartz, B, Morrison, L: Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour of paramedics regarding personal protective equipment for communicable respiratory disease outbreaks. Annual Meeting of the National Association of emergency medical services Physicians. Naples, FL, 2008.Google Scholar
6. Silverman, AC, Simor, A, Loutfy, MR: Toronto emergency medical services and severe acute respiratory syndrome (Letters). Emerg Infect Dis 2004;10(9):1688–1689.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7. Moore, D, Gamage, B, Bryce, E, et al. : Protecting healthcare workers from severe acute respiratory syndrome and other respiratory pathogens: organizational and individual factors that affect adherence to infection control guidelines. AJIC 2005;33(2):88–96.Google ScholarPubMed
8. DeJoy, DM: Theoretical models of health behavior and workplace self-protective behavior. J Safety Res 1996;27(2):61–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9. Carrico, RM, Coty, MB, Goss, LK, LaJoie, AS: Changing healthcare worker behavior in relation to respiratory disease transmission with a novel training approach that uses biosimulation. AJIC 2006;35(1):14–19.Google Scholar
10. Gershon, R, Vlahov, D, Felknor, S, et al. : Compliance with universal precautions among health care workers at three regional hospitals. AJIC 1995;23(4):293–299.Google ScholarPubMed
11. Radonovich, LJ, Cheng, J, Shenal, BV, et al. : Respirator tolerance in health care workers. JAMA 2009;301(1):36–38.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12. McMillan, CH, Jurkowski, JM, Dailey, MW, et al. : Respiratory mask use amongst emergency responders: A needs assessment. Public Health Preparedness Summit. Atlanta, Georgia, 2008.Google Scholar
13. Shapira, Y, Marganitt, B, Roziner, I, Shochet, T, et al. : Willingness of staff to report to their hospital duties following an unconventional missile attack: A state-wide survey. Isr J Med Sci 1991;27(11–12):704–711.Google ScholarPubMed
14. Balicer, RD, Omer, SB, Barnett, DJ, Everly, GS: Local public health workers' perceptions toward responding to an influenza pandemic. BMC Public Health 2006;6:99.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15. Ehrenstein, BP, Hanses, F, Salzberger, B: Influenza pandemic and professional duty: Family or patients first? A qualitative survey of hospital employees. BMC Public Health 2006;6:311.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16. Qureshi, K, Gershon, RRM, Sherman, MF, et al. : Healthcare worker's ability and willingness to report to duty during catastrophic disasters. J Urban Health 2005;82(3):378–388.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17. DiMaggio, D, Markenson, D, Loo, GT, Redlener, I: The willingness of U.S. emergency medical technicians to respond to terrorist incidents. Biosecur Bioterror 2005;3(4):331–337.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18. Slovic, P: Perceived Risk, Trust, and Democracy. In: Cvetkovich, G, Lofstedt, RE (eds): Social Trust and the Management of Risk. London: Earthscan Publications Ltd.; 1999.Google Scholar
19. Nickell, LA, Crighton, EJ, Tracy, CS, et al. : Psychosocial effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome on hospital staff: Survey of a large tertiary care institution. CMAJ 2004;170(5):793–798.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20. SPSS Inc: SPSS Advanced Version. 16.0.1 ed. Chicago IL: SPSS Inc.; 2008.Google Scholar
21. Lee, MC, Takaya, S, Long, R, Joffe, AM: Respirator-fit testing: Does it ensure the protection of healthcare workers against respirable particles carrying pathogens. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2008;29(12):1149–1156.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed