動物輔助治療之感染管制措施

Infection Control for Animal-assisted Activities and Therapy

已有多篇文獻證實老人、兒童、罹患慢性系統性疾病及接受安寧緩和醫療病患等族群，透過動物輔助治療可在生理、心理及社會層面分別獲得助益，然而此族群大多為感染高危險群，因此動物輔助治療計畫要有完善的感染管制措施，些措施包括：1.動物需經過專業組織或機構的檢疫、訓練與取得認證等；2.個案需事先通過跨專業的團隊（如醫師、護理師、復健師、社工師、感控師等）評估討論確認適合參與；3.所有參與的人員都應嚴格遵守手部衛生，並應明確規範服務環境條件、活動對象、活動過程的行為建議與限制，並且應有異常事件處理的機制，與完整的健康監測等。由於台灣社會人口趨近老化，且近年來積極推動癌末病患緩和安寧照顧，未來引入動物輔助治療機會增加，因此動物輔助治療相關之感染管制是此類醫療人員必須了解的觀念。

Previous literature has validated that the elderly, children, and patients can benefit from animal-assisted therapy. However, these populations are at a high risk of infection; therefore, treatment plans require comprehensive infection control measures. All animal participants must be screened, inspected, trained, and verified by specialized institutions. Animal-aid therapists, clinical medical staff, and infection control staff should evaluate and filter cases collaboratively. All participants must maintain strict hand hygiene. Specification of sites, participants, suggestions, and limitations are required, including mechanisms for exceptional cases and overall health observation.