{
    "abstract": "The stewardship of personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial in preventing healthcare-associated infections by safeguarding healthcare workers.\nThis study aimed to comprehensively elucidate the selection process and current status of PPE stewardship in Japanese medical facilities and gather evidence that will contribute to the qualitative enhancement of PPE stewardship in the country.\nA survey on PPE stewardship was conducted at 200 Japanese medical facilities between February and March 2024.\nThe response rate was 56.0% (112/200). While 99.1% of the responding facilities had documented protocols for PPE use and provided comprehensive training (including practical skills), only 3.8% extended this training to outsourced staff. Multiple sizes of surgical masks were available in 58.0% of the facilities, and 58.9% were equipped to conduct fit testing for N95 respirators. Moreover, 58.9% of the facilities monitored and evaluated PPE stewardship in conjunction with environmental rounds and hand hygiene assessments.\nDespite the limited sample size, this study is the first large-scale survey of PPE use in Japan. Our findings provide a basis for future surveys and evidence for establishing optimal PPE-related protocols. They may also contribute to the advancement of healthcare-associated infection control.",
    "authors": [
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Saiseikai Yokohama Eastern Hospital, Japan. 3-6-1 Shimosueyoshi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-8765, Japan. Electronic address: endlessjealousy@gmail.com.",
            "firstname": "Takayuki",
            "initials": "T",
            "lastname": "Ohishi"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Division of Infection Control and Prevention, Minoh City Hospital, 5-7-1 Kayano, Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture 562-0014, Japan. Electronic address: fxdl822@gmail.com.",
            "firstname": "Satoshi",
            "initials": "S",
            "lastname": "Shinomiya"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Teikyo University Graduate School of Public Health, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi Ward, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan. Electronic address: yoko-tsuda@med.teikyo-u.ac.jp.",
            "firstname": "Yoko",
            "initials": "Y",
            "lastname": "Tsuda"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 2-7-2 Fujimi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo 102-0071, Japan. Electronic address: hitomik@niid.go.jp.",
            "firstname": "Hitomi",
            "initials": "H",
            "lastname": "Kurosu"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "WHO Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health, Centre for Research Promotion and International Affairs, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan (JNIOSH), 1-4-6 Umezono, Kiyose City, Tokyo 204-0024, Japan. Electronic address: yoshikawa@h.jniosh.johas.go.jp.",
            "firstname": "Toru",
            "initials": "T",
            "lastname": "Yoshikawa"
        }
    ],
    "conclusions": "Despite the limited sample size, this study is the first large-scale survey of PPE use in Japan. Our findings provide a basis for future surveys and evidence for establishing optimal PPE-related protocols. They may also contribute to the advancement of healthcare-associated infection control.",
    "copyrights": "Copyright \u00a9 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.",
    "doi": "10.1016/j.jhin.2025.03.016",
    "journal": "The Journal of hospital infection",
    "keywords": [
        "healthcare worker education",
        "medical facilities survey",
        "personal protective equipment",
        "stewardship"
    ],
    "methods": null,
    "publication_date": "2025-04-27",
    "pubmed_id": "40287017",
    "results": null,
    "title": "Personal protective equipment stewardship across 112 medical facilities: A preliminary survey in Japan.",
    "xml": "<Element 'PubmedArticle' at 0x788505ecbf10>"
}