Does Prolonged Use of N95 Masks Affect Nasal Mucociliary Clearance? A Single Group Pre-Post Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 000348942110418
Author(s):  
Nikhil Rajan ◽  
Bikram Choudhury ◽  
Dipika Prakash ◽  
Kapil Soni ◽  
Darwin Kaushal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Mucociliary Clearance ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Single Group ◽  
Significant Prolongation ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Temperature And Humidity ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Nasal Mucociliary Clearance

Objective: It has been shown that prolonged use of face masks results in physiological changes in the nasal cavity. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of prolonged use of face masks on nasal mucociliary clearance (NMC). Methods: A single group pre-post study was conducted to determine the effects of prolonged use of N95 face mask (≥4 hours) on the NMC rates in health care workers. Saccharin transit time (STT) was used to measure the NMC. STT before and after using an N95 mask for at least 4 hours was measured for all participants in controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. Results: Forty-eight volunteers (20 female and 28 male) completed the study after the enrollment of 57 volunteers. The mean STT before mask use was 580.27 ± 193.93 seconds (95% CI; 523.95-636.58 seconds) and after mask use was 667.47 ± 237.42 seconds (95% CI; 598.53-736.42 seconds). There was significant prolongation of the NMC after prolonged use of N95 mask on performing the paired t-test ( P = .002). The mean prolongation was 87.20 ± 184.97 seconds with an actual effect size of 0.40. Ambient temperature and humidity were not significantly different at the two test instances. Conclusion: Use of the N95 face masks for 4 hours results in prolongation of the nasal mucociliary clearance as measured by STT. Susceptibility to any respiratory infection may be increased following doffing of the personal protective equipment, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) itself.

Health-Care Workers’ Perception of Reimbursement for Complex Surgical Oncology Procedures

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-145
Author(s):  
Shoshana Levi ◽  
Emily Alberto ◽  
Dakota Urban ◽  
Nicholas Petrelli ◽  
Gregory Tiesi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Surgical Oncology ◽  
Patient Perceptions ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Physician Reimbursement ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Fee Schedule

Perception of physician reimbursement for surgical procedures is not well studied. The few existing studies illustrate that patients believe compensation to be higher than in reality. These studies focus on patient perceptions and have not assessed health-care workers’ views. Our study examined health-care workers’ perception of reimbursement for complex surgical oncology procedures. An anonymous online survey was distributed to employees at our cancer center with descriptions and illustrations of three oncology procedures—hepatectomy, gastrectomy, and pancreaticoduodenectomy. Participants estimated the Medicare fee and gave their perceived value of each procedure. Participants recorded their perception of surgeon compensation overall, both before and after revealing the Medicare fee schedule. Most of the 113 participants were physicians (33.6%) and nurses (28.3%). When blinded to the Medicare fee schedules, most felt that reimbursements were too low for all procedures (60–64%) and that surgeons were overall undercompensated (57%). Value predictions for each procedure were discordant from actual Medicare fee schedules, with overestimates up to 374 per cent. After revealing the Medicare fee schedules, 55 per cent of respondents felt that surgeons were undercompensated. Even among health-care workers, a large discrepancy exists between perceived and actual reimbursement. Revealing actual reimbursements did not alter perception on overall surgeon compensation.

Nasal mucociliary clearance in patients with diabetes mellitus

1989 ◽  
Vol 103 (9) ◽  
pp. 853-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. L. Yue
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Mucociliary Clearance ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Nasal Disease ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Insulin Dependent ◽  
Mucociliary Function ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Nasal Mucociliary Clearance

AbstractFifty insulin-dependent diabetics and 50 non-diabetics without a history of nasal disease have been studied for nasal problems including mucociliary function complicated by diabetes mellitus. For the diabetics, the mean value of nasal mucociliary clearance was considerably decreased and this was more often associated with dry noses but increased pH-values, both of which were higher than those for non-diabetics (p<0.05). As suggested in earlier literature, more aggressive nasal moistening therapy must be recommended for those patients presenting with these conditions in the light of systemic diabetic abnormalities.

scholarly journals Incidence of COVID-19 Infection in Hospital Workers From March 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021 Routinely Tested, Before and After Vaccination With BNT162B2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Larese Filon ◽  
Francesca Rui ◽  
Federico Ronchese ◽  
Paola Michieli ◽  
Corrado Negro
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Hospital Workers ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Incident Rate ◽  
Rate Ratios ◽  
Monthly Incidence

Abstract Objective To evaluate the incidence of COVID-19 infection in health care workers from the start of COVID-19 pandemic in NE of Italy, to the vaccination with BNT162b2. Materials and methods This was a retrospective cohort study. Health care workers were routinely tested for SARS-CoV-2 infections using real-time polymerase chain reaction tests in nasopharyngeal swabs. Logistic regression was used to calculate incident rate ratios (IRRs) of factors associated to COVID-19. Results A total of 4251 workers were followed-up and an annual incidence of COVID-19 of 13.6% was found. In March 2021 the incidence of infection was 4.88 and 103.55 cases for 100.000 person-days in vaccinated and non-vaccinated workers, respectively, with an adjusted IRRs of 0.05 (95% CI 0.02–0.08). Conclusions Our study evaluated the monthly incidence in health care workers in Trieste hospitals before and after the vaccination finding the protective effect of BNT162B2 vaccine in 95% of health care workers routinely tested.

scholarly journals Evaluation of facemask associated acne/ “Maskne” among health care workers and non-health care workers of India during COVID-19 pandemic-A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-248
Author(s):  
Krina B Patel ◽  
Savfeena M. Nagani ◽  
Aanal T. Patel ◽  
Nirav Bapat
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Front Line Workers

“MASK-NE”-Mask associated Acne, is a common form of acne during COVID-19 pandemic. It is type of acne mechanica seen when external factor occludes the skin, leads to irritation, inflammation and starts/aggravates all grades of acne.We conducted a cross-sectional study among 773 participants, using a Self-administered, aim oriented, questionnaire which includes demographic data, acne related history, type and duration of wearing mask & other mask related skin problems in COVID-19 pandemic during 15 October to 15December,2020.: Among 773 participants, age ranged 18-45 years with mean 30.69 (SD: 61.30) and M:F was 1:1.78. After starting of Pandemic, occurrence of new development of mask associated Acne/ Maskne was higher among Health Care Workers (HCW) (34.98%) as compared to non- Health Care Workers (non-HCWs) (17.36%). Moreover, more number of HCWs had aggravation of their pre-existing acne and/or development of new of acne during pandemic (81.2%) than non-HCWs (61%). Wearing N95 type of mask showed the highest aggravation (82%) of Maskne as compare to wearing Surgical mask (75.5%) and wearing cloth (cotton) mask (65.6%).Wearing a face mask for 4 to 8 hours/day and &#62;8 hours/day showed increase in the aggravation of Maskne as compared to wearing a facemask &#60;4 hrs/day.Though wearing face masks can be the best strategy against COVID-19 infection, HAZARD OF THIS SAFETY is not negligible especially in front-line workers-doctors, nurses, pharmacist, policemen, hospital staff who are at higher risk due to several factors including type of mask use, duration of mask use etc.

scholarly journals “Face mask dermatitis” due to compulsory facial masks during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: data from 550 health care and non-health care workers in Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-204
Author(s):  
Anne-Charlotte Niesert ◽  
Eva M. Oppel ◽  
Tobias Nellessen ◽  
Surina Frey ◽  
Benjamin M. Clanner-Engelshofen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Care Workers

Healthcare Workers’ Mobile Phones as a Possible Vehicle of Nosocomial Pathogens and the Role of Different Disinfectants in their Decontamination

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 29-36
Author(s):  
Rana E. Elgabeery ◽  
Radwa A. Eissa ◽  
Sohair M. Soliman ◽  
Naglaa F. Ghoname
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Colony Count ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Before And After

Background: As Mobile Phones (MPs) aren’t cleaned routinely and have been touched during patient’s examination, they may become contaminated with hospital pathogens. Objectives: Screen MPs of Health care workers (HCWs) for pathogens and verify the effect of disinfectants in their decontamination. Methods: A questionnaire was submitted by 160 HCWs in Tanta University Hospitals. Samples were taken from their MPs and subjected to pour plate counting before and after disinfection. Standard identification and antibiotic susceptibility of isolates were done. Results: Colony count was greater in MPs used while caring for patients or inside restroom, and was less in regularly cleaned MPs. All tested disinfectants reduced the colony count significantly. Pathogens were isolated from 84.38% of samples and 36.25% of them were Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs). Conclusion: Using MPs at critical care areas and restroom may contribute to their contamination with pathogens. Regular disinfection of MPs can reduce this contamination.

scholarly journals The implementation of the choice on termination of pregnancy act: some empirical findings

Curationis ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
MC Engelbrecht ◽  
AJ Pelser ◽  
Charles Ngwena ◽  
HCJ Van Rensburg
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Abortion Law ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Trained Staff ◽  
Do So

The Choice on Termination o f Pregnancy Act o f 1996substantially liberalised abortion law. Whilst a substantial number of terminations of pregnancies (TOPs) have already been performed in terms of the new Act, it has also surfaced that an array of factors of various kinds may impede its further implementation and operation. A study was undertaken to determine the nature and extent of any such impediments to the implementation of the Choice on Termination o f Pregnancy Act. More specifically a survey was conducted amongst a sample of 75 women who had undergone a TOP since the implementation of the Act; health professionals and social workers who provide TOP services (n=16); and health professionals and social workers who are in a position to refer women to TOP facilities (n=63). Overall, the clients were well treated at the TOP facilities, and were satisfied with the service given to them. However, post-counselling and to a lesser extent pre-counselling, is lacking. Counselling is important as a considerable proportion of the clients suffered from emotional feelings usually associated with depression and/or self-reproach before and after the termination procedure. Furthermore these clients did not usually discuss their termination with family members. TOP service providers were dissatisfied with the TOP facilities, especially the insufficient number of consultation and counselling rooms. Health care workers in a position to refer clients to TOP facilities were not always willing to do so, thereby obstructing the referral system. In the main, it is recommended that the entire TOP procedure should be done at clinics/hospitals so that clients will not have to do inductions at home, more trained staff should be available, facilities should be adequate and accessible, and there should be psychological support for staff.

Understanding the Predictors that Contribute to Liberian Health Care Workers Feeling Protected From Ebola While at Work

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Kayla Enriquez ◽  
Kanagasabai Udhayashankar ◽  
Michelle Niescierenko
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Returning To Work ◽  
Care Worker ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess Liberian health care workers’ feelings around safety in returning to work in the setting of the Ebola virus disease outbreak of 2014–2015 after receiving infection prevention and control (IPC) training. Methods: Academic Consortium Combating Ebola in Liberia (ACCEL) training surveys were done at 21 public, Liberian hospitals to understand health care workers’ attitudes surrounding Ebola and whether they felt safe while at work based on multiple factors. Logistic regression was used for analysis. Results: We found that health care workers feeling safe at work during the Ebola outbreak was primarily predicted by the number of IPC/Ebola trainings received pre-ACCEL interventions. Health care workers felt increasingly safer and motivated to return to work as trainings approached 3 (OR 8, p-value < 0.001); however, more than 3 trainings resulted in decreased safety and motivation. In addition, health care workers who reported washing their hands before and after patient contact were 3.4 times more likely to understand how to protect themselves from Ebola. Conclusions: These results help to better understand the utility of repeated trainings on health care worker practice attitudes and the importance of IPC policies within hospitals, such as hand hygiene promotion and education, when coordinating humanitarian efforts.

scholarly journals Hepatitis B virus genotype E infection among Egyptian health care workers

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reem Elmaghloub ◽  
Ashraf Elbahrawy ◽  
Gamal El Didamony ◽  
Ahmed Elwassief ◽  
Abdel-Gawad Saied Mohammad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Hbv Infection ◽  
Care Work ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Work ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Mean

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesHealth Care Workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of needle stick injuries and HBV infection in Egypt; this problem is further aggravated by low Hepatitis B (HB) vaccination coverage. Limited data are available on the prevalence of HBV infection in Egyptian HCWs. In this study, we aimed to assess the HBV infection rate and genotypes among Egyptian HCWs.MethodsFive hundred and sixty-four (564) HCWs were included. Of them, 258 (45.74%) were health care providers and 306 (54.25%) were non-health care providers. All HCWs completed both the study questionnaires and provided a blood sample for HBV testing. Indeed, all HCWs were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to Hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HBVDNA was checked for HCWs who tested positive for HBsAg and/or anti-HBc, by nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). HBVDNA positive HCWs were further subjected to HBV genotyping.ResultsThe mean age of included HCWs was 33.0 ± 9.8 years, of whom 319 (56.56%) were males. The mean duration of health care work was 9.3 ± 6.7 years. The frequency of HBsAg and anti-HBc were 1.4%, and 24.5%, respectively. Old age and prolonged duration of health care work were significantly associated with anti-HBc seropositivity. Among 140 HCWs positive for HBsAg and/or anti-HBc, 14 (10 %) had positive HBVDNA by PCR. HBV/E (n= 7), HBV/D (n= 3) and co-infection with E and D (n= 4) genotypes were detected.ConclusionEgyptian HCWs have a significantly high rate of HBV exposure. The detection of HBV/E genotype among Egyptian HCWs suggests prevalent transmission of HBV/E among Egyptian populations.

Breastfeeding and Weaning Practices in Rural Mexico

1994 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherry Lipsk ◽  
Patricia A. Stephenson ◽  
Thomas D. Koepsell ◽  
Stephen S. Gloyd ◽  
Jose-Luis Lopez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Bottle Feeding ◽  
Traditional Practices ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Rural Mexico ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Hospital Practices

This report describes the breastfeeding and weaning practices of rural women in two Mexican towns and the cultural beliefs upon which these practices are based. Interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect information. Women thought breastfeeding preferable to bottle-feeding. Eighty percent initiated breastfeeding and 69% gave colostrum. Breastfeeding was discontinued early (mean age 4 months). The mean age at which children were introduced to other liquids was 2 months (range 0–5 months) and to solids, 4 months (range 1–8 months). Women's decisions regarding infant feeding were influenced most by custom and advice from doctors and family members. In some instances medical advice conflicted with traditional practices. These findings suggest important avenues for intervention in hospital practices, education for health care workers, and in the development of health promotion services.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document