Notifiable infectious disease reporting awareness among physicians and registered nurses in primary care and emergency department settings

• Published in: American journal of infection control Vol. 38; no. 5; pp. 410 - 412
• Main Authors: Turnberg, Wayne, PhD MSPH, Daniell, William, MD, MPH, Duchin, Jeffrey, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.06.2010; Elsevier; Mosby-Year Book, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Ambulatory care setting; Biological and medical sciences; biosurveillance; Disease Notification; Emergency medical care; Emergency Service, Hospital; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; Female; General aspects; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Infection Control; Infectious Disease; Infectious diseases; Knowledge; Male; medical center; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nurses; Nurses - statistics & numerical data; Physicians; Physicians - statistics & numerical data; Primary care; Primary Health Care; surveillance; Surveys and Questionnaires; Training; Young Adult; King County Washington; Ambulatory care setting; biosurveillance; surveillance; medical center; Awareness; Health care staff; Check; Physician; Prevention; Infection; Disease notification; Emergency department; Surveillance; Ambulatory; Nurse
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2009.07.013

This study examined knowledge about notifiable infectious disease reporting among physicians and registered nurses (RNs) in primary care and emergency department settings in King County, Washington. In 2005, a total of 165 physicians and 170 RNs completed a questionnaire to assess knowledge, training and feedback regarding notifiable infectious disease reporting. Only 55% of the physicians and 63% of the RNs were aware of reporting procedures within their institution. Awareness was higher when employer-provided training had been provided. Our findings indicate that employer training can improve reporting knowledge.