Derived from protocols developed for the National Football League, Infection Prevention in Athletes outlines best practices and recommendations that are designed to minimize the risk of infections among athletes. This unique resource provides concise, authoritative guidance for athletic training facilities on applying infection prevention practices typically provided in hospitals and outpatient clinics. You’ll find practical tips and real world advice on preventing transmission of bacterial and viral infections in an environment of frequent skin injuries, close proximity of players, and frequent administration of routine medical care.
"Failure to practice good hygiene and infection prevention during athletics can put students at risk of infection. Outbreaks of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) occur in a wide variety of sports settings and cause serious infections among athletes. This toolkit is intended to empower local health departments with information they can provide to persons responsible for the health and safety of sport participants in their area"--Introduction.
Every aspect of immune function and host defense is dependent upon a proper supply and balance of nutrients. Severe malnutrition can cause significant alteration in immune response, but even subclinical deficits may be associated with an impaired immune response, and an increased risk of infection. Infectious diseases have accounted for more off-duty days during major wars than combat wounds or nonbattle injuries. Combined stressors may reduce the normal ability of soldiers to resist pathogens, increase their susceptibility to biological warfare agents, and reduce the effectiveness of vaccines intended to protect them. There is also a concern with the inappropriate use of dietary supplements. This book, one of a series, examines the impact of various types of stressors and the role of specific dietary nutrients in maintaining immune function of military personnel in the field. It reviews the impact of compromised nutrition status on immune function; the interaction of health, exercise, and stress (both physical and psychological) in immune function; and the role of nutritional supplements and newer biotechnology methods reported to enhance immune function. The first part of the book contains the committee's workshop summary and evaluation of ongoing research by Army scientists on immune status in special forces troops, responses to the Army's questions, conclusions, and recommendations. The rest of the book contains papers contributed by workshop speakers, grouped under such broad topics as an introduction to what is known about immune function, the assessment of immune function, the effect of nutrition, and the relation between the many and varied stresses encountered by military personnel and their effect on health.
The majority of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and antibiotic resistant strains pose a greater challenge for effective prevention and treatment. Although recommendations outlining procedures for prevention have been provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), the actual adherence by the athletic training staff is unclear (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010; National Athletic trainers' Association, 2010). MRSA can result in devastating illness and staggering healthcare costs, and deaths of athletes have been reported (Ellis, 2007). The current study used the Health Belief Model to examine the impact of SSTIs on college athletic programs prevention policies. A survey was developed and sent to department heads of colleges and universities that were NATA members. Data were collected on the prevalence of SSTIs, their impact on policy, and variation in standards of treatment. Responses from 78 trainers indicated that although respondents were aware of guidelines for prevention and treatment and most had policies in place, they varied as to which elements were included as standard treatments and which are believed to be most effective. While there does appear to be wide variation, the standards of practice, changes made since the emergence of MRSA, and strategies believed to be most effective all reflect CDC and NATA guidelines, indicating that overall the majority of athletic trainers are being proactive. The study found MRS A to be more prevalent in male athletes and in football players. These populations should be targeted with prevention efforts. The results of this study also suggest that the effect of SSTIs on team performance is a stronger predictor of change in policy to prevent infection that hospitalization. Future research examining the barriers that prevent health care providers from implementing guidelines, and investigating why athletic trainers choose to implement particular guidelines and not others, could be illuminating for future prevention planning. Research should also focus on obtaining the perceptions of other populations involved. These include parents, recreation and intramural sports staff, and residence life personnel.
The prevention and control of infection in healthcare environments is now more important than ever. From simple hand washing to full PPE (personal protective equipment), hygiene maintenance has never been more at the forefront of people’s minds than during the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. This book is a practical guide to the prevention and control of healthcare and laboratory-associated infections. Divided into twelve sections, the text begins with an introduction to the basic science of infection and the use of antimicrobial agents. The following sections cover prevention and control of infection in different environments and situations including hospitals, laboratories, specific patient groups, and high risk and procedure areas. Different infection transmission methods are discussed in depth. The book concludes with guidance on standards and sample protocols, and training techniques. The comprehensive text is further enhanced by images and flow charts, and each chapter includes MCQs (multiple choice questions) to assist learning and revision. Key points Comprehensive guide to prevention and control of infection in healthcare environments Covers different environments, patient groups and infection transmission methods Features images and flow charts to assist learning Each chapter concludes with MCQs on the topic
Now you can sort through the many complex issues regarding HIV, AIDS, and sport with this definitive, multidisciplinary book. You'll learn the medical facts about HIV and AIDS and discover the important role you play in prevention and control of HIV. HIV/AIDS in Sport debunks common myths and enables you to establish standardized guidelines that take medical, ethical, and legal concerns into account. You will also learn the personal stories of high-profile athletes who have been afflicted with HIV, including Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Arthur Ashe, and Greg Louganis.
The first edition of Infection Prevention reviewed evolving areas in infection prevention on topics including contact precautions, technology implementation, specific infections, and care in various settings. It summarized the current data on infection prevention, presents controversies on the various topics, and includes recommendations for patient safety. Addressing hot topics such as MRSA, C. difficile vaccination, mandatory flu vaccines, and CLABSI, this is the only text to include prevention and control overviews across a range of infection issues. Written by experts in the field, this successor edition will update current chapters on the most cutting-edge models of care on emerging and evolving topics in infectious diseases. It will also include new material and chapters on high-level disinfection, diagnostic test stewardship, unique pathogens units, outpatient antibiotic stewardship, outpatient antibiotic therapy, as well as a chapter on infection prevention metrics: how much can we prevent healthcare associated infections and how hard should we try. The second edition of Infection Prevention: New Perspectives and Controversies is a valuable resource for infection prevention professionals, healthcare quality and safety professionals, caring for patients in in- and outpatient settings.
Comprehensive and practical, Management of Bloodborne Infections in Sport is a valuable resource for athletic trainers, coaches, and health care professionals who are exposed to blood in the athletic setting. Drawing on the latest guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Athletic Trainers' Association, and other organizations, this manual shows sports personnel how to protect their athletes and themselves against serious bloodborne pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis B virus. Inside this book you'll learn - the nature of bloodborne pathogens, - how bloodborne pathogens are transmitted, - methods to prevent exposure in the athletic setting - step-by-step procedures to protect sports personnel - how to use Universal Precautions to prevent the spread of infections, and - what to do if an exposure incident occurs. Filled with practical information on the proper handling of sharps, contaminated laundry, and biohazardous waste, and including a broader discussion of the ethics and legal issues involved with bloodborne pathogens in sport, Management of Bloodborne Infections in Sport is the complete resource for the athletic trainer or sports health care professional.
Health Protection: Principles and practice is a practical guide for practitioners working at all levels in public health and health protection, including those with a non-specialist background. It is the first textbook in health protection to address all three domains within the field (communicable disease control; emergency preparedness, resilience and response (EPRR); and environmental public health) in a comprehensive and integrated manner. Written by leading practitioners in the field, the book is rooted in a practice-led, all-hazards approach, which allows for easy real-world application of the topics discussed. The chapters are arranged in six sections, which begin with an in-depth introduction to the principles of health protection and go on to illuminate the three key elements of the field by providing: case studies and scenarios to describe common and important issues in the practice of health protection; health protection tools, which span epidemiology and statistics, infection control, immunisation, disease surveillance, and audit and service improvement; and evidence about new and emerging health protection issues. It includes more than 100 health protection checklists (SIMCARDs), covering infections from anthrax to yellow fever, non-infectious diseases emergencies and environmental hazards. Written from first-hand experience of managing communicable diseases these provide practical, stand-alone quick reference guides for in-practice use. Both the topical content of Health Protection: Principles and practice, and the clearly described health protection principles the book provides, makes it a highly relevant resource for wider public health and health protection professionals in this continually evolving field.
