DiSalvo Heidi, Haiduven Donna, Johnson Nancy, Reyes Valentine V, Hench Carmen P, Shaw Rosemary, Stevens David A
University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, 33612-3805, USA.
Am J Infect Control. 2006 Jun;34(5):301-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2005.06.005.
Research has substantiated that animals improve human health, both psychologically and physiologically. Therefore, healthcare facilities have begun to implement programs, such as the "Furry Friends Foundation," that bring animals into the facility to improve the quality of life of patients. When implementing these programs, consideration must be given to potential adverse events such as phobias, allergies, and particularly the possibility of zoonotic disease transmission. Santa Clara Valley Medical Centre (SCVMC), a 600-bed county teaching hospital with specialized units (e.g., for burns, rehabilitation, and pediatric care), has implemented programs that incorporate animals into the healthcare setting. This facility allows three categories of dogs to interact with their patients: service dogs, therapy dogs, and pet visitation dogs by the "Furry Friends Foundation." A blurring of the roles of the three categories of dogs occurred when these programs were put into place at SCVMC. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that service animals cannot be prohibited from any area. For example, a "no pet allowed" policy could not apply to these animals. Proof of a person's disability or proof of the service animal's health or training cannot be required. The purpose of this project was to maintain these programs by clarifying the policies regarding animals, specifically dogs, in the healthcare setting. This had to take place to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for the patients and the staff. A comprehensive table was developed to delineate the three categories of dogs and the corresponding policies. Therapy dogs and the visitation animals are more restricted than service dogs. Both therapy dogs and visitation dogs require identification and certification of health and are excluded from certain areas of the facility, including intensive care units and isolation rooms. By complying with the current policies and regulations, the risks from these programs can be minimized. Staff should be educated on the proper terminology and procedures to prevent a blurring of the categories and roles of these animals.
研究已证实，动物能在心理和生理方面改善人类健康。因此，医疗机构已开始实施一些项目，比如“毛茸茸的朋友基金会”，将动物引入机构以提高患者的生活质量。在实施这些项目时，必须考虑潜在的不良事件，如恐惧症、过敏，尤其是人畜共患病传播的可能性。圣克拉拉谷医疗中心（SCVMC）是一家拥有600张床位的县教学医院，设有专门科室（如烧伤、康复和儿科护理科室），该中心已实施将动物融入医疗环境的项目。这家机构允许三类犬与患者互动：服务犬、治疗犬以及由“毛茸茸的朋友基金会”提供的宠物探访犬。当这些项目在SCVMC实施时，这三类犬的角色出现了模糊。《美国残疾人法案》（ADA）规定，服务动物不得被禁止进入任何区域。例如，“禁止宠物进入”的政策不适用于这些动物。不能要求提供一个人的残疾证明或服务动物的健康或训练证明。本项目的目的是通过明确医疗环境中关于动物，特别是犬的政策来维持这些项目。这样做是为了为患者和工作人员提供一个安全且愉悦的环境。制定了一个综合表格来界定这三类犬以及相应政策。治疗犬和探访动物比服务犬受到更多限制。治疗犬和探访犬都需要健康证明和认证，并且被排除在机构的某些区域之外，包括重症监护病房和隔离病房。通过遵守现行政策和法规，可以将这些项目带来的风险降至最低。应该对工作人员进行适当术语和程序的培训，以防止这些动物的类别和角色出现模糊。
