Operational Infection Control Strategies for Clinic Staff During the Pandemic: A Multi-Facility Questionnaire Study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, outpatient clinics were required to continue providing routine medical care amid uncertainty, limited resources, and concerns about staff safety. However, evidence describing operational infection control measures in clinic settings remains limited. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of medical facilities affiliated with the Minato Ward Medical Association in Tokyo and the Higashi Nagoya Medical Association in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The survey was conducted between December 2023 and January 2024. The survey assessed facility characteristics, staffing patterns, infection control measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, methods of information sharing among staff, and experiences of social impact such as discrimination. Descriptive statistics were used, and regional comparisons were performed where appropriate. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 63 medical facilities, primarily outpatient clinics. Common infection control measures for staff included installing acrylic panels and protective sheets at reception areas, providing personal protective equipment, regularly monitoring temperatures, and canceling in-person staff gatherings. These measures were implemented in a substantial proportion of facilities across regions. Regarding information sharing, the use of digital communication tools was more frequent in clinics located in Tokyo than in those in Aichi Prefecture. A small proportion of facilities reported experiences of discrimination against staff, with no marked regional differences observed. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient clinics in Japan rapidly adopted practical infection control measures to protect staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many measures were universally implemented, certain operational practices, such as information-sharing methods, varied across regions. These findings provide practical insights into infection control preparedness for outpatient clinics facing future infectious disease emergencies.