scholarly journals Accuracy verification of low-cost CO2 concentration measuring devices for general use as a countermeasure against COVID-19

Author(s):  
Yo Ishigaki ◽  
Koji Enoki ◽  
Shinji Yokogawa

Within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, CO2 sensors that measure ventilation conditions and thereby reduce the risk of airborne infection, are gaining increasing attention. We investigated and verified the accuracy of 12 relatively low-cost sensor models that retail for less than $45 and are advertised as infection control measures on a major e-commerce site. Our results indicate that 25% of the tested sensors can be used to identify trends in CO2 concentration, if correctly calibrated. However, 67% of sensors did not respond to the presence of CO2, which suggests that a type of pseudo-technique is used to display the CO2 concentration. We recommend that these sensors are not suitable for infection prevention purposes. Furthermore, 58% of the investigated sensors showed significant responses to the presence of alcohol. Owing to the widespread use of alcohol in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, sensors that react to alcohol can display inaccurate values, resulting in inappropriate ventilation behavior. Therefore, we strongly recommended that these sensors not be used. Based on our results, we offer practical recommendations to the average consumer, who does not have special measuring equipment, on how to identify inaccurate CO2 sensors.

Author(s):  
Eliza R. Thompson ◽  
Faith S. Williams ◽  
Pat A. Giacin ◽  
Shay Drummond ◽  
Eric Brown ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To assess extent of a healthcare-associated outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 and evaluate effectiveness of infection control measures, including universal masking Design: Outbreak investigation including 4 large-scale point-prevalence surveys Setting: Integrated VA Health Care System with 2 facilities and 330 beds Participants: Index patient and 250 exposed patients and staff Methods: We identified exposed patients and staff and classified them as probable and confirmed cases based on symptoms and testing. We performed a field investigation and assessment of patient and staff interactions to develop probable transmission routes. Infection prevention interventions implemented included droplet and contact precautions, employee quarantine, and universal masking with medical and cloth facemasks. Four point-prevalence surveys of patient and staff subsets were conducted using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2. Results: Among 250 potentially exposed patients and staff, 14 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were identified. Patient roommates and staff with prolonged patient contact were most likely to be infected. The last potential date of transmission from staff to patient was day 22, the day universal masking was implemented. Subsequent point-prevalence surveys in 126 patients and 234 staff identified 0 patient cases and 5 staff cases of Covid-19, without evidence of healthcare-associated transmission. Conclusions: Universal masking with medical facemasks was effective in preventing further spread of SARS-CoV-2 in our facility in conjunction with other traditional infection prevention measures.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitin Agarwal ◽  
Prateek Agarwal ◽  
Ashley Querry ◽  
Anna Mazurkiewicz ◽  
Zachary J. Tempel ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEPrevious studies have demonstrated the efficacy of infection prevention protocols in reducing infection rates. This study investigated the effects of the development and implementation of an infection prevention protocol that was augmented by increased physician awareness of spinal fusion surgical site infection (SSI) rates and resultant cost savings.METHODSA cohort clinical investigation over a 10-year period was performed at a single tertiary spine care academic institution. Preoperative infection control measures (chlorohexidine gluconate bathing, Staphylococcus aureus nasal screening and decolonization) followed by postoperative infection control measures (surgical dressing care) were implemented. After the implementation of these infection control measures, an awareness intervention was instituted in which all attending and resident neurosurgeons were informed of their individual, independently adjudicated spinal fusion surgery infection rates and rankings among their peers. During the course of these interventions, the overall infection rate was tracked as well as the rates for those neurosurgeons who complied with the preoperative and postoperative infection control measures (protocol group) and those who did not (control group).RESULTSWith the implementation of postoperative surgical dressing infection control measures and physician awareness, the postoperative spine surgery infection rate decreased by 45% from 3.8% to 2.1% (risk ratio 0.55; 95% CI 0.32–0.93; p = 0.03) for those in the protocol cohort, resulting in an estimated annual cost savings of $291,000. This reduction in infection rate was not observed for neurosurgeons in the control group, although the overall infection rate among all neurosurgeons decreased by 54% from 3.3% to 1.5% (risk ratio 0.46; 95% CI 0.28–0.73; p = 0.0013).CONCLUSIONSA novel paradigm for spine surgery infection control combined with physician awareness methods resulted in significantly decreased SSI rates and an associated cost reduction. Thus, information sharing and physician engagement as a supplement to formal infection control measures result in improvements in surgical outcomes and costs.


Author(s):  
Degena Bahrey Tadesse ◽  
Gebremeskel Tukue Gebrewahd ◽  
Gebre Teklemariam Demoz

Abstract Background: The Coronavirus Disease in 2019 (COVID-19) is not only the deadly outbreak disease but also it affects the mental status of the population including the nurses. Nurses play a vital role in dealing with COVID-19 victims. Nurse’s infection control measures is affected by their knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP), and psychological responses towards COVID-19. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, practice, and psychological response among nurses toward the COVID-19 outbreak in Northern Ethiopia. The hospital-based cross-sectional study design was employed. The data were collected from March to April 2020. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire.The data were entered into Epi-data manager version 4.2 and exported to SPSS 23 for analysis. Descriptive analysis was reported to describe the demographic, mean knowledge, attitude practice, and psychological response score of nurses.Results: A total of 415 nurses were participated in this study making that 100% response rate. Of the participants 241(58.1%) were female. From the 415 nurses 307(74%), 278(67%), 299(72%%), and 354(85.3%) were had good knowledge, good infection prevention practice, a favorable attitude, and disturbed psychological response towards COVID-19 respectively.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110507
Author(s):  
Kirtan Rana ◽  
Bhawna Sharma ◽  
Pinnaka Venkata Maha Lakshmi ◽  
ManharPreet Kaur ◽  
Mini P. Singh ◽  
...  

Background Hospital acquired infections are preventable cause for morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the current pandemic era proper implementation of infection control measures can prevent the spread of such infections including SARS-CoV 2. The study was done to identified the source and reason for spread of COVID-19 infection and devise recommendations to halt the progress of infection in a non-COVID area. Methods An outbreak in a non-COVID area of a tertiary care hospital was investigated by the infection control team along with the epidemiologist when they were notified about the rising cases of COVID-19 from Advanced Trauma Center’s (ATC) disaster ward. The time, place and person distribution of the cases were studied. Recommendations based on gaps identified were developed onsite and implemented to control the outbreak. Results The outbreak lasted from 19th December 2020 to 12th January 2021, affecting 34 people (25 patients and 9 health care workers). The attack rate was 9.2%. We identified the causes of current outbreak as compromises in infection prevention measures, high bed patient ratio, irregularities in the ventilation system, overcrowding by patient attendants and communication gaps between nursing officers and doctors. Measures required to control the outbreak were implemented and no cases were reported for 2 weeks following the last positive case. Conclusion Non-COVID areas of hospitals are also at risk of nosocomial outbreaks of SARS-CoV 2 and therefore strict infection prevention measures those designated to COVID areas should be followed in non-COVID zones also to prevent such outbreaks.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 68-72
Author(s):  
Luis Alfredo Anchordoqui ◽  
Eugene M. Chudnovsky

General Idea: Naturally produced droplets from humans (such as those produced by breathing, talking, sneezing, and coughing) include several types of cells (e.g., epithelial cells and cells of the immune system), physiological electrolytes contained in mucous and saliva (e.g. Na+, K+, Cl-), as well as, potentially, several infectious agents (e.g. bacteria, fungi, and viruses). In response to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, which has become a major public health issue worldwide, we provide a concise overview of airborne germ transmission as seen from a physics perspective. We also study whether coronavirus aerosols can travel far from the immediate neighbourhood and get airborne with the convective currents developed within confined spaces. Methodology: Methods of fluid dynamics are utilized to analyse the behavior of various-size airborne droplets containing the virus. Study Findings: We show that existing vortices in the air can make a location far away from the source of the virus be more dangerous than a nearby (e.g., 6 feet away) location. Practical Implications: Our study reveals that it seems reasonable to adopt additional infection-control measures to the recommended 6 feet social distancing. We provide a recommendation that could help to slow down the spread of the virus.


2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamayo WATANABE ◽  
Takashi NIWA ◽  
Mayumi TSUCHIYA ◽  
Yuki TONOGAI ◽  
Hirotoshi OHTA ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuka Sugawara ◽  
◽  
Masao Iwagami ◽  
Kan Kikuchi ◽  
Yoko Yoshida ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a global pandemic affecting a variety of medical treatments, including hemodialysis. This study aims to investigate the implementation of infection control measures, to examine the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfectants, and to quantify the number of nosocomial COVID-19 transmissions in hemodialysis facilities in Japan during the pandemic. Methods We conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey between 20 October and 16 November 2020 (i.e., between the “second wave” and “third wave” in Japan) in the 4198 dialysis facilities of the Japanese Association of Dialysis Physicians and the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy. A total of 2227 facilities (53.0%) responded. The questionnaire consisted of (i) characteristics of facilities, (ii) infection prevention measures in routine dialysis practices, (iii) shortage of PPE, (iv) feasibility of various isolation measures, and (v) nosocomial transmission. Results Half of the responding facilities were hospitals with multiple departments, and the other half were clinics specialized in dialysis. Several infection prevention measures such as health checks of staff and patients, donning of masks before and after hemodialysis, and disinfection of frequently contacted areas were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a significant improvement in the implementation rate of these measures during the pandemic, compared to before it, which reached over 90%. More than half of the facilities reported a shortage of disposable masks (67.2%) and hand sanitizer alcohol (56.7%). Isolation of COVID-19 patients in private rooms was possible only in 52.7% of the facilities. The majority of facilities (73.3%) could not accept COVID-19 dialysis patients due to lack of space and manpower. Nosocomial transmission of COVID-19 occurred in 4.0% of the facilities. Of those infected, 51.9% were staff. Conclusions This survey revealed that most hemodialysis facilities in Japan had improved implementation of infection control measures and had shortage of PPEs and disinfectants, though some facilities did not implement infection prevention measures adequately, mainly due to the limited space of the facility. It may be recommended that each facility immediately establishes isolation measures to prepare for the pandemic of COVID-19.


1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-200
Author(s):  
Marc J.M. Bonten ◽  
Robert A. Weinstein

AbstractThe close relationship between colonization and the development of nosocomial infections has been demonstrated. Patient-related factors, such as underlying illness for all major sites of infection and advanced age, and pathogen-related factors, such as the ability of bacteria to adhere to epithelial cells, play the major roles in the pathogenesis of colonization. However, exact mechanisms of colonization have not been elucidated, and modulation of bacterial adherence as a method of infection prevention remains experimental. Current methods of infection prevention, therefore, focus either on preventing growth of colonizing microorganisms or on preventing patient-pathogen contact. Topical antibiotics have been used as a method of colonization prevention. However, their effectiveness may be limited by increases in antibiotic resistance; moreover, the effects on patient outcome are controversial. Maintenance of the physiologic mucosal environment using nonantimicrobial agents seems a promising approach, but only a few studies demonstrating efficacy have been published. Prevention of colonization still must rely heavily on basic infection control measures to prevent contact between patient and pathogen.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mika Kawasumi ◽  
Tomohisa Nagata ◽  
Hajime Ando ◽  
Ayako Hino ◽  
Seiichiro Tateishi ◽  
...  

Objectives: To prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, it is necessary for each individual to adopt infection prevention behavior. We investigated the effect of infection control measures implemented in the workplace on personal infection prevention behavior. Methods: We conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey through the Internet from December 22 to 25, 2020, during which period COVID-19 was spreading. Among respondents aged 20 to 65 years (n=27,036), a total of 21,915 workers were included in the analysis after excluding self-employed workers (n=2,202), workers in small/home offices (n=377), and agriculture, forestry, and fisheries workers (n=212), etc., whose personal infection prevention behavior was almost the same as infection control measures taken in the workplace. Results: The results showed that as the number of infection control measures in the workplace increased, implementation of infection prevention behavior by individuals also significantly increased. However, the relationship differed depending on the type of personal infection prevention behavior. Specifically, infection control measures against COVID-19 in the workplace may affect personal infection prevention behavior. Conclusion: Implementation of infection control measures in the workplace appears to deepen personal understanding of infection prevention behaviors, and increases awareness of the importance of individual infection prevention behavior and its implementation by all individuals. These findings may be applicable not only to COVID-19 measures but also to responses to other emerging infections and seasonal influenza.


Author(s):  
Alberto De Stefani ◽  
Giovanni Bruno ◽  
Sabrina Mutinelli ◽  
Antonio Gracco

The aim of this study is an evaluation of the Italian dentists’ knowledge regarding COVID-19 and their perception of the risks associated with COVID-19, their attitude in resuming their activities, and how they judge the institutional intervention on a health and economic basis. Methods: This research evaluated Italian dentists from 11 to 18 April 2020, using a questionnaire submitted via Google Forms (Alphabet, Mountain View, CA, USA). It consisted of different investigations about sociodemographic aspects, profession-related characteristics, knowledge about COVID-19 infection transmission modalities, symptoms, and attitude in treating potentially infected patients. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson chi2 test and Student t-test. The α-level was fixed at p = 0.05. All data were analyzed with STATA 16 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA). Results: 1500 dentists (664 men and 836 women) completed the questionnaire. The majority of respondents declared having been trained in infection prevention procedures (64.3%) but not specifically to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (48.7%). A total of 57.2% declared that they were not trained sufficiently to restart working after lockdown, with a significantly higher prevalence (Pearson chi2 test, p < 0.001) among women (62.3%) than men (50.9%). Conclusion: Italian dentists were informed correctly on the mode of transmission but partially missed COVID-19 symptoms. Dentists considered the virus infection highly dangerous, and they were not confident in being able to work safely. The lack of precise operating guidelines creates uncertainties on infection control measures and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) use. The participants revealed apprehension for their health and the current and future economic situation of their practices.


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