Lessons learned: Protection of healthcare workers from infectious disease risks

Objective: To summarize current concepts on preventing occupationally acquired infections in healthcare workers. Design: Review of the pertinent medical literature. Settings: Focus on healthcare workers practicing in acute care hospitals, especially intensive care units. Subjects: Healthcare workers. Measurements and Main Results: Key components of an effective infection control program include the following: 1) pre-exposure immunization with vaccines to prevent mumps, measles, rubella, varicella, pertussis, hepatitis B, and viral influenza; 2) adherence to standard precautions when providing patient care, especially the performance of hand hygiene before and after patient care; 3) rapid evaluation and initiation of appropriate isolation precautions for patients with potentially communicable diseases; 4) proper use of personal protective equipment such as masks, N95 respirators, eye protection, and gowns when caring for patients with potentially communicable diseases; and 5) evaluation of personnel with exposure to communicable diseases for receipt of postexposure prophylaxis. Conclusions: Risks of acquisition of infectious diseases by healthcare workers can be minimized by adherence to current infection control guidelines. (Crit Care Med 2010; 38[Suppl.]:S306-S314)