Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2005 Jan;47(1):41-50.
doi: 10.1097/01.jom.0000150207.18085.41.

Research gaps in protecting healthcare workers from SARS and other respiratory pathogens: an interdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder, evidence-based approach

Annalee Yassi  1 , David Moore, J Mark Fitzgerald, Philip Bigelow, Chun-Yip Hon, Elizabeth Bryce; BC Interdisciplinary Respiratory Protection Study Group
Affiliations

Research gaps in protecting healthcare workers from SARS and other respiratory pathogens: an interdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder, evidence-based approach

Annalee Yassi et al. J Occup Environ Med. 2005 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: To identify priorities for further research in protecting healthcare workers (HCWs) from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and other respiratory pathogens by summarizing the basic science of infectious bioaerosols and the efficacy of facial protective equipment; the organizational, environmental, and individual factors that influence the success of infection control and occupational health programs; and factors identified by HCWs as important.

Method: An extensive literature review was conducted and 15 focus groups held, mostly with frontline HCWs in Toronto. Critical gaps in knowledge were identified and prioritized.

Results: Highest priority was given to organizational factors that create a climate of safety. Other priority areas included understanding aerosolization risks and practical measures to control bioaerosols at the source.

Conclusions: Further research is warranted to improve safety climate in health care and, specifically, to provide greater protection against respiratory pathogens.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Estimated effectiveness of various forms of respiratory protective equipment against tuberculosis infection. Adapted from reference .
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Theoretical model for factors associated with self-protective behavior at work. Adapted from reference .
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Safety of qualitative fit-testing.
    Youakim S. Youakim S. J Occup Environ Med. 2005 Dec;47(12):1207-8; author reply 1208. doi: 10.1097/01.jom.0000183506.28131.0c. J Occup Environ Med. 2005. PMID: 16340697 No abstract available.

References

    1. Yassi A, Ostry AS, Spiegel J, Walsh G, de Boer HM. A collaborative evidence-based approach to making healthcare a healthier place to work. Hosp Q. 2002;5:70–78. - PubMed
    1. Healthcare Industry: Focus Report on Occupational Injury and Disease. Vancouver: Workers’ Compensation Board; 2000.
    1. Sullivan T, Kerr M, Ibrahim S. Job stress in healthcare workers: highlights from the National Population Health Survey. Hosp Q. 1999;2:34–40. - PubMed
    1. Healthcare Providers. Toronto: Canadian Institute for Health Information; 2001.
    1. MacDonald NE, Davidson S. The wellness program for medical faculty at the University of Ottawa: a work in progress. CMAJ. 2000;163:735–738. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding