Spread the Word, Not the Germs

Abstract

A volunteer workgroup of public health personnel and parish nurses in Wisconsin collaborated to develop the Infection Control and Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for the Faith Community to help prepare congregations for health emergencies and prevent the spread of disease. This article reports a pilot study of the toolkit with 30 parishes/churches, focusing on the infection control portion of the materials.

What Are the Characteristics of the Parish Nursing Research Literature and How Can it Inform Parish Nurse Practice and Research in Canada? A Scoping Review

“…There are nine studies in the literature sample that report outcomes related to the implementation of various health promotion programs and interventions (Austin et al, 2013; Baig et al, 2010; Cooper & Zimmerman, 2016, 2017; Medley et al, 2018; Mendelson et al, 2008; Reilly et al, 2011; Sheehan et al, 2013; Shillam et al, 2013). The majority evaluate educational interventions about specific health concerns, such as: hypertension (Austin et al, 2013; Baig et al, 2010; Cooper & Zimmerman, 2016, 2017), diabetes (Austin et al, 2013; Sheehan et al, 2013), gestational diabetes (Mendelson et al, 2008), colorectal screening (Medley et al, 2018), infection prevention (Reilly et al, 2011), and polypharmacy (Shillam et al, 2013). Kazmer and colleagues (2017) report a cognitive-behavioural and spiritual counseling intervention for dementia caregivers.…”

“…The sample is not representative of the target population in four studies (McCabe & Somers, 2009;Monay et al, 2010;Thompson, 2010;Tormoehlen, 2009) and insufficiently reported to determine sample representativeness in two studies (King & Tessaro, 2009;Ziebarth, 2018). Measures are insufficiently described to determine appropriateness in 11 studies (Bokinskie & Kloster, 2008;King & Pappas-Rogich, 2011;King & Tessaro, 2009;McCabe & Somers, 2009;McGinnis & Zoske, 2008;Monay et al, 2010;Pappas-Rogich & King, 2014;Reilly et al, 2011;Thompson, 2010;Tormoehlen, 2009;Ziebarth, 2018). Non-response bias is not low in six studies (McCabe & Somers, 2009;McGinnis & Zoske, 2008;Monay et al, 2010;Thompson, 2010;Tormoehlen, 2009;Ziebarth, 2018) and indeterminate in four studies (Bokinskie & Kloster, 2008;Hixson & Loeb, 2018;King & Pappas-Rogich, 2011;King & Tessaro, 2009).…”

“…Five of the nine programs were implemented among sample populations aged 50 and older (Austin et al, 2013;Baig et al, 2010;Medley et al, 2018;Newcomb et al, 2014;Shillam et al, 2013). Age was not reported in three studies (Cooper & Zimmerman, 2016, 2017Reilly et al, 2011).…”

Faith Community Nursing and COVID-19

“…Articles from a recent systematic review by Kruse-Diehr et al (2021) were reviewed and three relevant articles identified: King (2011) , Mock (2017) , and Reilly et al (2011) . Although two articles were greater than 5 years old, they were classic to the FCN's holistic care and influence during a pandemic.…”

“… Reilly et al (2011) noted that, in response to influence from the H1N1 pandemic, adoption of creative strategies to prevent the spread of infection in faith communities was encouraged. Faith communities can be key partners in reducing the spread of disease at organizational levels.…”