Risk Assessment of Healthcare Workers at the Frontline against COVID-19

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are on the frontline of treating patients infected with COVID-19. However, data related to its infection rate among HCWs are limited. The aim was to present evidence associated with the number of HCWs being infected with COVID-19 from most viral affected countries (Italy, China, United States, Spain, and France). Furthermore, we looked into the reasons for HCWs COVID 19 infections and strategies to overcome this problem. Early available evidence suggested that HCWs are being increasingly infected with the novel infection ranging from 15% to 18% and in some cases up to 20% of the infected population. Major factors for infection among HCWs include lack of understanding of the disease, inadequate use and availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), uncertain diagnostic criteria, unavailability of diagnostic tests and psychological stress. Therefore the protection of HCWs by authorities should be prioritized through education and training, the readiness of staff, incentives, availability of PPEs, and psychological support. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2790 How to cite this:Ali S, Noreen S, Farooq I, Bugshan A, Vohra F. Risk Assessment of Healthcare Workers at the Frontline against COVID-19. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2790 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Download Full-text

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adult Mental Health

Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.12669/pjms.36.covid19-s4.2756 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (COVID19-S4) ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Imran Ijaz Haider ◽

Farah Tiwana ◽

Sania Mumtaz Tahir

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

The Novel ◽

Creative Commons ◽

Adult Mental Health ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

The Status ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

The Impact ◽

Open Access Article

The outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in December 2019 has progressed to the status of a global pandemic, with countries across the seven continents adversely affected and the number of human cases exceeding two million. With no available vaccine, the treatment is primarily symptomatic for those affected and preventative for those at risk. Most countries have taken action to curtail the spread of COVID-19 through measures such as lockdowns, social distancing and voluntary self-isolation. Whilst necessary, such measures and the disease itself, may have an adverse impact on mental health. In view of research from previous pandemic crises, it is known that such situations are likely to increase stress levels and have negative psychiatric effects. The impact is likely to be felt by the general public, sufferers of COVID-19, their families and friends, persons with pre-existing mental health conditions and healthcare workers. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2756 How to cite this:Haider II, Tiwana F, Tahir SM. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adult Mental Health. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2756 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Download Full-text

Sociodemographic and Clinical Features of COVID-19 Reinfection Cases Among Healthcare Workers in Turkey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-296853/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hatice İkiışık ◽

Yasemin Çağ ◽

Mehmet Akif Sezerol ◽

Aral Surmeli ◽

Yusuf Taşçı ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

World Health ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Health Organization ◽

Disease Characteristic

Abstract Background: Global pandemic of novel Coronavirus Disease (SARS- COV-2) has spread across all continents and infected almost 80 million people. Since it is a novel disease, unknowns about the disease characteristic, treatment and length of immunity still persist. This study aims to characterize reinfection, personal protective equipment use and disease progress in healthcare workers in İstanbul. Methods: 23 healthcare workers who had confirmed negative PCR results after infection and another positivity later were questioned about both infection progress, their symptoms and treatment through an online questionnaire. Results: While the symptoms during both courses did not change drastically, 73.9% were treated as outpatient during the first infection while all but one (95.7%) were treated as such during second time around. Median time between two infections were 106 days. All participants were cleared of disease and none had to be treated in intensive care unit. Conclusion: Use of personal protective equipment was found subpar compared to World Health Organization recommendations. This is the first study from Turkey characterizing reinfected cases in healthcare workers.

Download Full-text

Protecting Healthcare Workers From COVID-19 and the Assaulting Society: Indian Perspective

Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Research ◽

10.18502/pbr.v6i(s1).4395 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nileswar Das ◽

Priyanka Mishra

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

The Novel ◽

The Future ◽

Public Behavior ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Indian Perspective

The novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has created a massive burden on Healthcare Workers (HCWs). Working in a potentially infectious environment, HCWs are at higher risk of physical and psychological illnesses. However, providing adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is necessary to protect HCWs from rising violence in the community due to fear, frustration, and stigma. The authors highlighted this important yet relatively underresearched entity of public behavior that demands further studies in the future.

Download Full-text

Factors Associated with Access and Use of PPE during COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study of Italian Physicians

10.1101/2020.04.24.20073924 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

E Savoia ◽

G Argentini ◽

D Gori ◽

E Neri ◽

R Piltch-Loeb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

The Novel ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Adequate Information ◽

Novel Coronavirus

AbstractObjectivesDuring the course of the Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, Italy has reported one of the highest number of infections. Nearly ten percent of reported coronavirus infections in Italy occurred in healthcare workers. This study aimed to understand physicians’ access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and to information about their use, risk perception and strategies adopted to prevent contracting the infection.MethodsWe undertook a cross-sectional, online self-reported survey implemented between March 31 and April 5 2020 of Italian physicians.ResultsResponses were received from 529 physicians, only 13% of which reported to have access to PPE every time they need them. Approximately half of the physicians reported that the information received about the use of PPE was either clear (47%) or complete (54%). Risk perception about contracting the infection was influenced by receiving adequate information on the use of PPE. Access to adequate information on the use of PPE was associated with better ability to perform donning and doffing procedures [OR=2.2 95% C.I. 1.7-2.8] and reduced perception of risk [OR=0.5, 95% C.I. 0.4-0.6].ConclusionsResults from this rapid survey indicate that while ramping up supplies on PPE for healthcare workers is certainly of mandatory importance, adequate training and clear instructions are just as important.

Download Full-text

Electroconvulsive Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Archives of Psychiatry Research ◽

10.20471/dec.2021.57.02.14 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

pp. 187-190

Author(s):

Mislav Škrobo ◽

Vjekoslav Peitl ◽

Ante Silić ◽

Ana Matošić ◽

Branka Vidrih ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Prevention ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

The Novel ◽

Chinese City ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

The World ◽

A Priority ◽

Novel Coronavirus

In March 2020, three months after the first cases surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan, WHO declared a global pandemic of the novel coronavirus, which by than had already spread through a great number of countries all over the world. In order to protect the health of healthcare workers and patients, activities and measures of disease prevention have been taken; in such circumstances, psychiatry found itself faced with various challenges, one of them being the preservation of the continuity of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with severe or refractory psychiatric disorders. Such patients are a priority and demand immediate treatment in hospital settings adapted to epidemiological circumstances. Having studied the instructions and recommendations of the competent authorities, as well as reviewing available literature, this paper presents the most important measures for the smooth performance of ECT in conditions associated with the COVID-19 disease.

Download Full-text

Synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs as promising therapeutic option for the treatment of COVID-19

Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1389557520666201204162103 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Ekta Shirbhate ◽

Preeti Patel ◽

Vijay K Patel ◽

Ravichandran Veerasamy ◽

Prabodh C Sharma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Therapeutic Option ◽

Antiviral Treatment ◽

The Novel ◽

Clinical Experiences ◽

Synthetic Compounds ◽

Synthetic Drugs ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

The World ◽

Novel Coronavirus

: The novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), a global pandemic that emerged from Wuhan, China has today travelled all around the world, so far 216 countries or territories with 21,732,472 people infected and 770,866 deaths globally (as per WHO COVID-19 update dated August 18, 2020). Continuous efforts are being made to repurpose the existing drugs and develop vaccines for combating this infection. Despite, to date, no certified antiviral treatment or vaccine prevails. Although, few candidates have displayed their efficacy in in vitro studies and are being repurposed for COVID-19 treatment. This article summarizes synthetic and semi-synthetic compounds displaying potent activity in their clinical experiences or studies against COVID-19 and also focuses on mode of action of drugs being repositioned against COVID-19.

Download Full-text

Visitor Restriction Policy on Pediatric Wards During Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: A Survey Study Across North America

Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society ◽

10.1093/jpids/piaa126 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Taito Kitano ◽

Pierre-Philippe Piché-Renaud ◽

Helen E Groves ◽

Laurie Streitenberger ◽

Renee Freeman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Survey Study ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

The Novel ◽

Restriction Policy ◽

Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Visitor restriction policies in pediatric wards during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak are variable. Among 36 hospitals that responded to our survey, 97% allowed at least 1 visitor, with 67% restricting to 1 caregiver. Sixty-nine percent required the visitor to wear personal protective equipment and only 19% allowed non-household visitors.

Download Full-text

Comparison of Psychological Stress Levels and Associated Factors Among Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers, and the General Public During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2020.583971 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Rongrong Luan ◽

Weidan Pu ◽

Lilei Dai ◽

Rui Yang ◽

Peng Wang

Keyword(s):

Psychological Stress ◽

General Public ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

The Novel ◽

Impact Of Event Scale ◽

Event Scale ◽

Frontline Workers ◽

Occupation Group ◽

Novel Coronavirus

Objective: We aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of the psychological stress experienced by healthcare workers, frontline workers, and the general public and to assess the factors associated with psychological stress in each of these groups.Methods: We conducted an online survey targeting healthcare workers, frontline workers, and the general public. Psychological stress was assessed with the revised impact of event scale (IES-R). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted.Results: We surveyed 1,336 participants (64.6% female; mean age, 36.6). The occupation group distribution of respondents was 50.7% healthcare workers, 27.2% frontline workers, and 22.1% general public. The healthcare (23.6 ± 15.8) and frontline (23.6 ± 17.8) workers had higher IES-R scores than the general public (15.3 ± 10.6; p < 0.01). Poor health perception and perception of infection avoidance were associated with psychological stress in the healthcare and frontline workers, but not in the general public.Conclusion: Both healthcare and frontline workers are suffering elevated psychological stress, compared to the general public, and this elevated stress may be related especially to their perceptions of their own health and infection risk. Interventions addressing these factors should be developed to alleviate psychological stress in these populations, and thus reduce their risk of mental illness pathogenesis.

Download Full-text

The Challenges of Biomedical Waste Management During the Ongoing Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) Pandemic: The Current Scenario

Micro and Nanosystems ◽

10.2174/1876402913666210903164056 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

Author(s):

Sabitha Vadakedath ◽

Venkataramana Kandi ◽

Tarun Kumar Suvvari ◽

L V Simhachalam Kutikuppala ◽

Vikram Godishala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Complex Nature ◽

The Novel ◽

Waste Collection ◽

Biomedical Waste ◽

Infected People ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Current Scenario ◽

Constant Observation ◽

Novel Coronavirus

: The novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that has emerged and spread throughout the world causing CoV disease-19 (COVID-19) has since its discovery affected not only humans and animals but also the environment. Because of the highly infectious nature of the virus, and the respiratory aerosol transmission route, face masks and personal protective equipment have become mandatory for public and healthcare workers, respectively. Also, the complex nature of the pathogenicity of the virus, wherein, it has been associated with mild, moderate, and severe life-threatening infections, has warranted increased laboratory testing and placing the infected people in isolation and under constant observation in quarantine centers or at dedicated hospitals. Some infected people, who are generally healthy, and do not show symptoms have been placed in home quarantines. At this juncture, there has been increased amount of biomedical waste (BMW), and infectious general waste along with plastic disposable recyclable and non-recyclable waste. The increased BMW along with the potentially hazardous plastic waste collection, segregation, transport, and disposal has assumed increased significance during the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, this review attempts to investigate the current scenario of BMW management and strategies to minimize BMW and prevent potential environmental pollution.

Download Full-text