scholarly journals The management of surgical patients in the emergency setting during COVID-19 pandemic: the WSES position paper

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda De Simone ◽  
Elie Chouillard ◽  
Massimo Sartelli ◽  
Walter L. Biffl ◽  
Salomone Di Saverio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Emergency Surgery ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Position Paper ◽  
Surgical Patients ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Emergency Setting ◽  
Open Approach ◽  
Rt Pcr

Abstract Background Since the COVID-19 pandemic has occurred, nations showed their unpreparedness to deal with a mass casualty incident of this proportion and severity, which resulted in a tremendous number of deaths even among healthcare workers. The World Society of Emergency Surgery conceived this position paper with the purpose of providing evidence-based recommendations for the management of emergency surgical patients under COVID-19 pandemic for the safety of the patient and healthcare workers. Method A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) through the MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase and SCOPUS databases. Synthesis of evidence, statements and recommendations were developed in accordance with the GRADE methodology. Results Given the limitation of the evidence, the current document represents an effort to join selected high-quality articles and experts’ opinion. Conclusions The aim of this position paper is to provide an exhaustive guidelines to perform emergency surgery in a safe and protected environment for surgical patients and for healthcare workers under COVID-19 and to offer the best management of COVID-19 patients needing for an emergency surgical treatment. We recommend screening for COVID-19 infection at the emergency department all acute surgical patients who are waiting for hospital admission and urgent surgery. The screening work-up provides a RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab test and a baseline (non-contrast) chest CT or a chest X-ray or a lungs US, depending on skills and availability. If the COVID-19 screening is not completed we recommend keeping the patient in isolation until RT-PCR swab test result is not available, and to manage him/she such as an overt COVID patient. The management of COVID-19 surgical patients is multidisciplinary. If an immediate surgical procedure is mandatory, whether laparoscopic or via open approach, we recommend doing every effort to protect the operating room staff for the safety of the patient.

scholarly journals The management of surgical patients in emergency setting during COVID-19 pandemic. The WSES position paper

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda De Simone ◽  
Elie Chouillard ◽  
Massimo Sartelli ◽  
Walter L Biffl ◽  
Salomone Di Saverio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Position Paper ◽  
Surgical Patients ◽  
Surgical Patient ◽  
Emergency Setting ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract BackgroundSince the COVID-19 pandemic has occurred, nations showed their unpreparedness to deal with a mass casualty incident of this proportion and severity. The World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) conceived this position paper with the purpose of providing recommendations for the management of surgical, infected and non-infected, patients in emergency setting under COVID-19 pandemic in the safety of the patient and health care workers based on available evidences and experienced surgeons’opinion.MethodA systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P)through the MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase and SCOPUS databases. Synthesis of evidence, statements and recommendations were developed in accordance with the GRADE methodology.ResultsGiven the limitation of the evidence, the current document represents an effort to provide a guide for emergency surgeons to perform safely surgery during this pandemic on the basis of evidence medicine and principles of mass casualty incident management to limit the diffusion of the infection among patients and health care workers. ConclusionsWe recommend screening for COVID-19 infection at emergency department, all surgical patients with clinical and epidemiologic features suspect for COVID-19 disease who are waiting for hospital admission and urgent surgery. The screening provides performing a RT-PCR naso-pharyngeal swab test and a baseline (non-contrast) chest CT or chest X-ray or lungs US, depending on skills and availability.The management of COVID-19 surgical patient is multidiplinary.If an immediate surgical procedure is mandatory, whether laparoscopic or via open approach, we recommend doing every efforts to protect the operating room staff, in the safety of the patient . We recommend not being present during the intubation and extubation maneuvers (1A).To perform a safe surgical procedure, we recommend:-having a trained staff, wearing the necessary personal protective equipments, and an established protocol for the preoperative, peri-operative and postoperative management of the COVID-19 surgical patient;-being careful in the establishment and management of the artificial pneumoperitoneum, in the control of the hemostasis and of incisions to prevent any loss of biological fluids and contamination of the surgical staff;-using of all available devices to remove smoke and aerosol during the operation and a closed suction system for artificial pneumoperitoneum, especially if there is a risk of conversion to laparotomy.If it is not possible to perform surgery in a safe and protected environment, we recommend do not underestimating the highest risk of contamination and infection for health care workers and dissemination of the virus in the hospital and to consider transferring the patient in a COVID HUB hospital for the appropriate management.The administration of prophylactic anticoagulation with LMWH is recommended as soon as possible in COVID-19 patients to reduce thromboembolic risk related to the virus and sepsis, decreasing the mortality rate. We recommend to carefully administrating antibiotics in COVID-19 surgical patients for the high risk of selecting resistant bacteria, especially in patients admitted in ICU for mechanical ventilation. Early empirical antibiotic treatment should be targeted to results from cultures, with de-escalation of treatment as soon as possible. We recommend against empirical antifungal treatment in all surgical COVID-19 patients but to consider it in critically ill patients.

scholarly journals COVID-19 serological testing for Healthcare Workers in Lombardy, Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Del Castillo ◽  
A Castrofino ◽  
F Grosso ◽  
A Barone ◽  
L Crottogini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Serological Testing ◽  
Prevention Policy ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Screening Process

Abstract Issue COVID-19 pandemic began in Italy on February 20th, 2020. Since the beginning of the emergency Healthcare Workers' (HCWs) involvement was prominent, mainly due to direct assistance to COVID-19 patients. Therefore, we implemented a prevention policy for HCW screening through serological and RT-PCR testing. Description of the problem HCW screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection is essential for prevention and control of the pandemic. Lombardy's Healthcare authorities settled a screening process for HCWs divided into three steps: 1) body temperature assessment at the beginning and the end of work shift, if fever > 37.5 °C was present the HCW was sent back home and a nasopharyngeal swab was performed; 2) progressive recruitment for serological testing; 3) on those positive to IgG a nasopharyngeal swab was performed and tested for viral RNA by RT-PCR. Results Among 79185 HCW tested, 9589 (12%) were positive on serological IgG testing. Of the 9589 positive a nasopharyngeal swab was performed on 6884. Of these 358 (5%) tested positive and the remaining 6526 (95%) negative to RT-PCR. We calculated a Positive Predictive Value of 5.2%. The rate of positive serological tests for each Healthcare facility varied between 0% and 78%. Five percent of all facilities, belonging to Brescia, Bergamo and Cremona area, reported a positivity rate higher than 40% in HCWs. A second cluster (18% of all facilities), involving the same geographical area, reported a rate between 20% and 40%, whereas the remaining facilities (76%) of the region a rate <20%. Lessons Serological IgG testing can be, if followed by immediate nasopharyngeal swab testing, a valid screening intervention on asymptomatic HCWs especially in a high infection prevalence setting. Key messages Serological IgG testing can be, if followed by immediate nasopharyngeal swab testing, a valid screening intervention on asymptomatic HCWs. Infection prevention in HCW may benefit from a screening campaign especially in high prevalence settings.

scholarly journals Diagnosis of SARS-Cov-2 Infection by RT-PCR Using Specimens Other Than Naso- and Oropharyngeal Swabs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 363
Author(s):  
Vânia M. Moreira ◽  
Paulo Mascarenhas ◽  
Vanessa Machado ◽  
João Botelho ◽  
José João Mendes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Performance ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Oropharyngeal Swab ◽  
Nucleic Acid Assays

The rapid and accurate testing of SARS-CoV-2 infection is still crucial to mitigate, and eventually halt, the spread of this disease. Currently, nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) and oropharyngeal swab (OPS) are the recommended standard sampling techniques, yet, these have some limitations such as the complexity of collection. Hence, several other types of specimens that are easier to obtain are being tested as alternatives to nasal/throat swabs in nucleic acid assays for SARS-CoV-2 detection. This study aims to critically appraise and compare the clinical performance of RT-PCR tests using oral saliva, deep-throat saliva/posterior oropharyngeal saliva (DTS/POS), sputum, urine, feces, and tears/conjunctival swab (CS) against standard specimens (NPS, OPS, or a combination of both). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalTrial.gov and NIPH Clinical Trial) were searched up to the 30th of December, 2020. Case-control and cohort studies on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 were included. The methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS 2). We identified 1560 entries, 33 of which (1.1%) met all required criteria and were included for the quantitative data analysis. Saliva presented the higher accuracy, 92.1% (95% CI: 70.0–98.3), with an estimated sensitivity of 83.9% (95% CI: 77.4–88.8) and specificity of 96.4% (95% CI: 89.5–98.8). DTS/POS samples had an overall accuracy of 79.7% (95% CI: 43.3–95.3), with an estimated sensitivity of 90.1% (95% CI: 83.3–96.9) and specificity of 63.1% (95% CI: 36.8–89.3). The remaining index specimens could not be adequately assessed given the lack of studies available. Our meta-analysis shows that saliva samples from the oral region provide a high sensitivity and specificity; therefore, these appear to be the best candidates for alternative specimens to NPS/OPS in SARS-CoV-2 detection, with suitable protocols for swab-free sample collection to be determined and validated in the future. The distinction between oral and extra-oral salivary samples will be crucial, since DTS/POS samples may induce a higher rate of false positives. Urine, feces, tears/CS and sputum seem unreliable for diagnosis. Saliva testing may increase testing capacity, ultimately promoting the implementation of truly deployable COVID-19 tests, which could either work at the point-of-care (e.g. hospitals, clinics) or at outbreak control spots (e.g., schools, airports, and nursing homes).

scholarly journals Response to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in Italy: a 3-month follow-up

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domenico Ponticelli ◽  
Fabiana Madotto ◽  
Sara Conti ◽  
Ippazio C. Antonazzo ◽  
Andrea Vitale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Vaccine Response ◽  
Serology Testing ◽  
Effectiveness Data

AbstractThis study investigated the response to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers (HCWs) in an Italian teaching hospital. 444 participants were surveyed with either multiple RT-PCR assays for detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in nasopharyngeal swabs or serology testing for the research of virus-specific immunoglobulins. Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) were reported. Two weeks after the first dose anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies exceeded reactivity cut-off in 82.5% the participants. Four HCWs tested positive at nasopharyngeal swab after 3 months. More than three-quarters reported AEFIs. Our findings offer an insight regarding the vaccine response after 3 months from its administration, with a special focus on effectiveness data, as well as the type and number of AEFIs complained by HCW recipients. The presented study may serve as reference for future research which will be necessary to explore the long-term safety of this vaccine, especially in population at high risk for infection, such as HCWs.

scholarly journals Vertical Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 1055-1060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziyi Yang ◽  
Yi Liu
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Cord Blood ◽  
Vertical Transmission ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Virus Specific Antibody

Objective The aim of this study is to summarize currently available evidence on vertical transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Study Design A systematic review was conducted following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Statement. Results A total of 22 studies comprising 83 neonates born to mothers diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 were included in the present systematic review. Among these neonates, three were confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection at 16, 36, and 72 hours after birth, respectively, by nasopharyngeal swab real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests; another six had elevated virus-specific antibody levels in serum samples collected after birth, but negative RT-PCR test results. However, without positive RT-PCR tests of amniotic fluid, placenta, or cord blood, there is a lack of virologic evidence for intrauterine vertical transmission. Conclusion There is currently no direct evidence to support intrauterine vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Additional RT-PCR tests on amniotic fluid, placenta, and cord blood are needed to ascertain the possibility of intrauterine vertical transmission. For pregnant women infected during their first and second trimesters, further studies focusing on long-term outcomes are needed. Key Points

scholarly journals LUNG ULTRASOUND IN RULING OUT COVID-19 AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN TWO ITALIAN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS: A MULTICENTER STUDY.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Copetti ◽  
Giulia Amore ◽  
Caterina Giudice ◽  
Daniele Orso ◽  
Silvia Cola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Predictive Value ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Negative Case ◽  
Adjudication Committee

Purpose: The high percentage of asymptomatic patients and the non-high sensitivity of real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test on nasopharyngeal swab cause some healthcare workers to be infected but asymptomatic and a source of spread of the epidemic. This study aimed to verify if the lung ultrasound (LUS) had enough high negative predictive value to rule out coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among a population of healthcare workers operating in the Emergency Department. Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted, enrolling healthcare workers among the staff of two Emergency Departments in Northeast Italy. The definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 was established by an adjudication committee, based on the clinical data and RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal swab result. Results: From March 30, 2020, to April 22, 2020, we enrolled 155 cases. The adjudication committee determined two true positives for COVID-19. Twenty-one healthcare workers presented suggestive symptoms (2 true positives and 19 false positives). The nasopharyngeal swab was positive in one case (1 false-negative case). LUS was suggestive for COVID-19 pneumonia in 4 cases (2 false-positive cases). The diagnostic accuracy of LUS was 98.7% (95% CI 95.4%-99.8%). The sensitivity and the specificity of LUS were 100% (95% CI 15.8% -100%) and 98.7% (95% CI 95.4% - 99.8%), respectively. The negative predictive value was 100% (95% CI 100% -100%). Conclusion: LUS has a good enough negative predictive value for ruling out COVID-19 in a population of healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19.

scholarly journals Screening for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR: Saliva or Nasopharyngeal Swab? Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nusaïbah Ibrahimi ◽  
Agnès Delaunay-Moisan ◽  
Catherine Hill ◽  
Gwénaël Le Teuff ◽  
Jean-François Rupprecht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Advanta Dx SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay, a High-Throughput Extraction-Free Diagnostic Test for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Saliva: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1766
Author(s):  
Sofia Balaska ◽  
Dimitrios Pilalas ◽  
Anna Takardaki ◽  
Paraskevoula Koutra ◽  
Eleftheria Parasidou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Reference Method ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Accuracy Study ◽  
Diagnostic Samples ◽  
Saliva Test

Nasopharyngeal swab specimen (NPS) molecular testing is considered the gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 detection. However, saliva is an attractive, noninvasive specimen alternative. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Advanta Dx SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR saliva-based assay against paired NPS tested with either NeumoDxTM SARS-CoV-2 assay or Abbott Real Time SARS-CoV-2 assay as the reference method. We prospectively evaluated the method in two settings: a diagnostic outpatient and a healthcare worker screening convenience sample, collected in November–December 2020. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 27.7% (61/220) of diagnostic samples and in 5% (10/200) of screening samples. Overall, saliva test in diagnostic samples had a sensitivity of 88.5% (77.8–95.3%) and specificity of 98.1% (94.6–99.6%); in screening samples, the sensitivity was 90% (55.5–99.7%) and specificity 100% (98.1–100%). Our data suggests that the Fluidigm Advanta Dx RT-PCR saliva-based assay may be a reliable diagnostic tool for COVID-19 diagnosis in symptomatic individuals and screening asymptomatic healthcare workers.

scholarly journals Covid 19 and orthopaedic surgery in a large trauma centre in India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kannan Karuppiah Kumar ◽  
Thomas Chandy ◽  
M N Kumar ◽  
Muniramaiah Ravishankar ◽  
Krishan Prasad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Surgery ◽  
Orthopaedic Surgery ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Trauma Centre ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Orthopaedic Patients ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Pcr Test

Background - We are in the midst of a pandemic caused by the novel SARS-Cov-2 virus. A large percentage of the patients are asymptomatic and hospitals around the world are struggling to restart routine services. We report the results of a universal testing protocol of all patients who underwent orthopaedic surgery in the month of July 2020 in a large orthopaedic speciality hospital in Bangalore, India. Methods - A retrospective study of all patients who underwent orthopaedic surgery in the month of July 2020 at a tertiary care orthopaedic speciality hospital in Bangalore, India. All patients underwent nasopharyngeal swab test before surgery. A questionnaire was used to assess the patient before the RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab test. Data regarding imaging, investigations and follow up was recorded. Results - In the month of July 2020, 168 patients underwent routine nasopharyngeal RT -PCR swab test for COVID - 19 prior to planned orthopaedic surgical procedure (Both trauma and elective cases). 16 of the RT-PCR tests were positive. However vascular cases and absolute emergencies were done without a RT -PCR test with PPE and all universal precautions. 11 patients underwent emergency surgery without a RT-PCR test. All 16 cases who were positive were asymptomatic. The asymptomatic positive rate was 9.52%. Of the 11 patients who underwent emergency surgery without a RT-PCR test, only one patient had a positive test post - operatively. Conclusions - Routine nasopharyngeal RT-PCR testing revealed a high rate of asymptomatic cases. If the RT-PCR test is positive, it is best to defer the case till the test returns negative. All precautions must be taken while performing emergency surgeries. Our algorithm in managing patients has proven to be effective and can be replicated with ease to continue operating and taking care of orthopaedic patients during this pandemic.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and orthopaedic surgery in a large trauma centre in India

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 221049172110103
Author(s):  
Kannan Karuppiah Kumar ◽  
Thomas Chandy ◽  
MN Kumar ◽  
Muniramaiah Ravishankar ◽  
Chetan Rai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Surgery ◽  
Orthopaedic Surgery ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Trauma Centre ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Orthopaedic Patients ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Pcr Test

Background: We are in the midst of a pandemic caused by the novel SARS-Cov-2 virus. A large percentage of the patients are asymptomatic and hospitals around the world are struggling to restart routine services. We report the results of a universal testing protocol of all patients who underwent orthopaedic surgery in the month of July 2020 in a large orthopaedic speciality hospital in Bangalore, India. Methods: A retrospective study of all patients who underwent orthopaedic surgery in the month of July 2020 at a tertiary care orthopaedic speciality hospital in Bangalore, India. All patients underwent nasopharyngeal swab test before surgery. A questionnaire was used to assess the patient before the RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab test. Data regarding imaging, investigations and follow up was recorded. Results: In the month of July 2020, 168 patients underwent routine nasopharyngeal RT-PCR swab test for COVID-19 prior to planned orthopaedic surgical procedure (Both trauma and elective cases). 16 of the RT-PCR tests were positive. However vascular cases and absolute emergencies were done without a RT-PCR test with PPE and all universal precautions. 11 patients underwent emergency surgery without a RT-PCR test. All 16 cases who were positive were asymptomatic. The asymptomatic positive rate was 9.52%. Of the 11 patients who underwent emergency surgery without a RT-PCR test, only one patient had a positive test post-operatively. Conclusions: Routine nasopharyngeal RT-PCR testing revealed a high rate of asymptomatic cases. If the RT-PCR test is positive, it is best to defer the case till the test returns negative. All precautions must be taken while performing emergency surgeries. Our algorithm in managing patients has proven to be effective and can be replicated with ease to continue operating and taking care of orthopaedic patients during this pandemic.

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