Mpox remains a public health concern despite global efforts to contain outbreaks. The virus, which shares similarities with smallpox, presents fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, spreading primarily through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials. In this landscape, infection prevention is crucial, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is pivotal in safeguarding healthcare workers and the general public.
Why it matters
Mpox serves as a reminder of the need for robust infection control measures and pandemic preparedness. Recent outbreaks in non-endemic countries highlight the critical need for robust PPE protocols and scalable training solutions to protect healthcare workers.
The Latest on Mpox
The resurgence of mpox cases, particularly in non-endemic countries, has prompted new research and updated guidelines. WHO has declared mpox virus a public health emergency of international concern [7]. Recent studies also indicate that the virus can persist on surfaces, including clothing, bedding, towels, objects, electronics and surfaces touched by a person with mpox - emphasizing the need for meticulous hygiene and PPE practices in healthcare and community settings.
Moreover, a CDC study from 2023 found that mpox disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including those with compromised immune systems, requiring enhanced infection prevention strategies . This reinforces the importance of PPE to prevent healthcare-associated transmission.
Public health authorities have recommended broad respiratory transmission reduction strategies, including both source control (containing infectious particles that a person breathes, coughs, or sneezes out) and respiratory protection (filtering out infectious particles in inhaled air), as an adjunct to other protective measures focused on reducing transmission through close contact. [11]
The Emergence of Mpox Clade 1 Variant
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern because of the rapid spread of a mpox virus strain, clade I [7].
A 2024 study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases [12] highlighted that Clade 1's ability to evade immune responses, even in vaccinated individuals, could lead to more widespread outbreaks. Furthermore, the survival of the Clade 1 virus on surfaces emphasizes the need for stringent environmental cleaning protocols, alongside robust PPE use.
Enhanced PPE Recommendations for mpox Clade 1
Given the increased severity and transmissibility of the Clade 1 variant, PPE protocols require stricter adherence and enhanced protective measures. The CDC and UKHSA now recommend higher levels of respiratory protection.
In light of these developments, training on PPE use for mpox is crucial. Ensuring healthcare workers are familiar with the necessary modifications to standard protocols can be challenging without scalable solutions. This is where platforms like Blue Mirror can provide critical support by offering adaptive training that incorporates the latest updates, ensuring healthcare workers stay ahead of this evolving threat.
The Importance of PPE Training for Mpox Clade 1
Proper donning and doffing of PPE is a critical skill for healthcare workers treating patients with mpox. The risk of contamination is highest during the removal of PPE, and inadequate training can lead to accidental exposure. This is especially concerning in the case of high-consequence infectious diseases like mpox, where infection prevention is paramount.
Simulation based training consistently outperforms traditional methods like posters, videos, or PowerPoint presentations in infection prevention education. Providing healthcare workers with hands-on experiences allows for real-time practice of critical skills such as PPE use and hand hygiene. This active learning approach improves knowledge and performance using PPE. [6]
Training healthcare workers on the correct use of PPE not only protects them but also prevents further transmission to patients and communities. However, delivering this training poses significant challenges, especially during an outbreak when resources are stretched thin.
Challenges in PPE Training
One of the primary challenges in PPE training is ensuring consistency and scalability. Traditional training methods, often conducted in-person, can be time-consuming, costly, and difficult to scale across large organizations. Additionally, healthcare facilities must balance the need for training with the demands of patient care, leading to gaps in knowledge or inadequate practice.
During a pandemic or outbreak, the rapid onboarding of new staff or volunteers exacerbates these challenges. Without proper training, there is a heightened risk of PPE misuse, which can result in preventable healthcare-associated infections.
Scalable Training Solutions: Blue Mirror PPE Training
To overcome these barriers, innovative solutions like Blue Mirror's AI-powered PPE training system are game-changers. Blue Mirror provides scalable, virtual PPE training that can be easily deployed across healthcare settings. Using AI, the system delivers real-time feedback to users on correct PPE usage, ensuring that healthcare workers are thoroughly prepared without the need for extensive in-person sessions.
Blue Mirror's platform is particularly well-suited for mpox preparedness. With its ability to quickly scale, healthcare organizations can train large numbers of staff efficiently, ensuring that PPE protocols are followed precisely, even during high-demand periods like outbreaks. This not only enhances infection control but also boosts confidence among healthcare workers, knowing that they are protected and trained to manage infectious patients safely.
Pandemic Preparedness: Looking Ahead
The mpox outbreaks, along with recent global health crises, highlight the critical need for pandemic preparedness. In a world where diseases can spread rapidly across borders, healthcare systems must be equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and training to respond quickly and effectively. Proper PPE training is a key aspect of this preparedness, and scalable solutions like Blue Mirror can help healthcare organizations stay ahead.
By leveraging innovative technologies, we can build resilient healthcare systems that can better protect workers, patients, and the broader community from emerging infectious diseases like mpox.
For healthcare facilities looking to strengthen their infection prevention measures, access AI-driven PPE and hand hygiene training by contacting us on sales@corrmed.com. Protect your workforce and stay prepared for the next public health challenge.
References
CDC. (2024). Mpox Infection Control.
WHO. (2024). Monkeypox: Guidelines for Prevention.
NHS England. (2024). Mpox Prevention and Control.
Pittet, D., et al. (2008). The WHO Clean Care is Safer Care programme: Enhancing Hand Hygiene Improvements. Journal of Infection Prevention, 9(6_suppl), 4-10.
World Health Organization. (2023). Global Mpox Outbreak Report. Geneva: WHO.
PubMed. (2023). A Simulation-based PPE orientation training curriculum for novice physicians.
WHO. (2024). WHO declares mpox virus a public health emergency of international concern
UK Health Security Agency. (2024). Mpox clade I: what you need to know
CDC. (2023). Mpox Infection Control and Clade 1 Variants.
PAHO. (2024). Situation Report on Mpox Multi-Country Outbreak Response - Region of the Americas
Sarah Anne J Guagliardo, PhD et al. (2024). Mpox respiratory transmission: the state of the evidence The Lancet
Prof Chloe M Orkin, MD et al. (2024). Mpox in people with past infection or a complete vaccination course: a global case series The Lancet Infectious Diseases
WHO. (2022). Clinical management and infection prevention and control for monkeypox
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