Abstract
Context/objective
To assess guidance provided to staff at Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare facilities on H1N1 influenza infection control for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D).
Study design
Cross-sectional qualitative semi-structured interviews.
Setting
Thirty-three VA healthcare facilities from throughout the United States that provide care to veterans with SCI/D.
Participants
Thirty-three infection control key informants, each representing a VA healthcare facility.
Interventions
None.
Outcome measures
Infection control practices, including vaccination practices, hospital preparedness, and recommendations for future pandemics, both in general and specifically to SCI/D.
Results
Most (n = 26, 78.8%) infection control key informants believed veterans with SCI/D were at increased risk for influenza and complications, but only 17 (51.5%) said veterans with SCI/D were treated as a priority group for vaccination at their facilities. There was little special guidance provided for treating veterans with SCI/D, and most (n = 28, 84.8%) informants said that infection control procedures and recommendations were applied universally. Yet, 10 key informants discussed ‘unique challenges’ to infection control in the SCI/D population. Informants discussed the potential for infectious agents to be spread through shared and common use equipment and the necessity of including caregivers in any vaccination or educational campaigns.
Conclusion
Greater input by experts knowledgeable about SCI/D is recommended to adequately address pandemic influenza within healthcare facilities where individuals with SCI/D receive care.
Acknowledgements
This material is based on work supported by the Office of Research and Development, Health Services Research and Development, and Spinal Cord Injury Quality Enhancement Research Initiative, of the Department of Veterans Affairs (Project number: RRP 10-046). This study reflects only the authors' opinions and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the Department of Veterans Affairs.