Infections in Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers (HCWs) represent a unique epidemiologic stratum—healthy adults who are frequently exposed to virulent, contagious, or difficult‐to‐treat infections. The HCW's primary defense is a bundle of activities termed routine practices and additional, syndrome‐specific, precautions. Transmission of influenza in healthcare settings results in closure of clinical units, generating additional healthcare costs and impacting patient care. Infected HCWs become part of the chain of influenza transmission to patients. Blood and body fluid exposures, by percutaneous sharps injury or mucous membrane contact, are common among HCWs. Nosocomial transmission of varicella zoster virus (VZV) is well‐recognized, and control measures in healthcare facilities are strongly recommended. Infection control programs often stress the patient safety aspect of hand hygiene, but there is evidence among non‐HCW populations that hand hygiene is self‐protective.