What could clinicians do to prevent hospital-based outbreaks of emerging and existing respiratory infectious diseases? Raising awareness is key

The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness among nurses working in hospitals about occupational respiratory infectious diseases so they may protect themselves and their patients from hospital-acquired respiratory infectious diseases. We found insufficient awareness among nurses about potential hospital-based outbreaks of respiratory infectious diseases in relation to wearing masks to protect themselves and the patients they care for. As for practice implication, a clinical practice norm that nurses are obligated to wear masks during flu season and when feeling under the weather is essential. Placing clinicians’ health first is essential since patient safety will follow in the efforts to prevent the next SARS-like tragedy.