Potential infection control risks associated with roaming healthcare industry representatives

Abstract

Background: Healthcare industry representatives (HCIR) visit multiple hospitals every day. Most enter hygiene sensitive areas and work in close proximity to caregivers and patients. Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the HCIRs’ current status in hygiene training and vaccination. Methods: An anonymous walking intercept study was used based on questionnaires to evaluate industry representatives in comparison to physicians and nurses (n = 311 participants, participation rate 30.2%) after their visit to the MEDICA Congress. The valid participants consisted of HCIR (n = 208), hospital nurses (n = 49) and physicians (n = 41). A total of 82.2% (n = 171) HCIR worked in varying hospitals. Results: They frequently request access to hygiene and data-privacy sensitive areas: Among them 51.9% (n = 108) accessed the outpatient clinic, 41.8% (n = 87) the operating room (OR), 33.7% (n = 70) the central supply and sterilisation department (CSSD), and 32.7% (n = 68) the intensive care unit. HCIR requesting access to hygiene sensitive areas showed the lowest scores in hygiene training and a significantly lower Hepatitis B vaccination status, i.e. 37.5% compared to 70.7% for physicians and 53.1% for nurses. Discussion: Status of HCIR hygiene training was inadequate – as was vaccination and contamination control. Therefore, HCIR are exposed to increased infection risk and may unknowingly act as infection vector between different hospitals.