Sestrinska reč (Jan 2017)
Prevention measures and suppression of coxsackie virus infection in health institutions
Abstract
Hospital (nosocomial, intrahospital) infections have become a significant indicator of the global quality of healthcare services in terms of frequency and influence on the increase of morbidity and mortality of the infected and in terms of overall treatment expenses. An increase in the rate of viral hospital infections is evident in last few decades as a consequence of the changes in the epidemic characteristics of the causer and of resistance to antiviral drugs. Coxsackie virus, among other existing human pathogens, has been detected as a significant causative agent for a series of diseases. The work presents the basic epidemiological characteristics and manifestations of Coxsackie virus infections; also it represents general and specific measures of prevention and suppression of the infection in hospital environment and a special role of the nurses in the process. Occurrence and widespread of the Coxsackie virus infections imposes the need for corrections and amendments of existing preventive and treatment solutions in hospital praxis, also it demands an integrated approach based on enhanced measures of epidemic surveillance, education of the staff and programs of promotion of a quality healthcare service. Since the suppressing of hospital infections lies in legal obligation of all the participants in a healthcare service, conscientious and professional attitude of the nurses can be of great significance in the reduction of the patients and staffs’ exposure to the infective agents.
