Risks for Workers Handling Solid Oral Doses: Development of a Tool to Improve Personal Protection

AbstractHandling of pharmaceutical specialities is required before its distribution or administration. Unpackaging and repackaging solid oral doses (SOD) in pharmacy settings; crushing, pills fragmenting or capsules opening inside care units may expose nurses and pharmacy dispensers to chemical contamination according to three recent North American studies. In the absence of a regulatory framework the application of the “principle of precaution” implies at first an analysis of the medication circuit and then the implementation of protective measures to prevent healthcare workers from contamination. Comparison of professional recommendations published in other countries allowed us to select a group of protective methods. We gathered these technical and organisational methods to compose a matrix of recommendations intended to hospital staff involved in SOD handling. This tool aims to improve the development of good manufacturing practices (GMP). It combines the issue of personal protection with other criteria such as quality, efficiency and safety of a medication.

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The Impact of the Protective Measures on Healthcare Workers During Covid-19 Pandemic in Tertiary University Hospital

Journal of Anesthesia & Pain Medicine ◽

10.33140/japm.06.02.01 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

Keyword(s):

Infection Rate ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Critical Role ◽

Working Hours ◽

Infection Risk ◽

University Hospital ◽

Personal Protection ◽

Healthcare Staff ◽

Protective Measures

Background: A novel coronavirus “SARS-CoV-2” causes the disease COVID-19. A high transmission rate within healthcare workers was reported. We aimed to determine effect of our protective measures on infection rate, related risk factors and measures that can be taken among healthcare professionals in our university hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to analyse the data of infected healthcare providers. Demographic data of the patients, computed tomography (CT) scan findings, laboratory parameters and any symptoms related with Covid-19 disease were recorded. The real‐time reverse transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) results were evaluated. Results: The infection rate was 3.8% (143 of 3700 healthcare workers). Of 143 infected healthcare workers, 91 were female and 52 were male. Mean age of these patients was 32.5±8.6 years (Table 1). First PCR tests of 99 symptomatic healthcare staff were positive. Second tests of 84 of them were negative. The most common symptom was dry cough (47 patients, 32.8%). Treatment of 117 healthcare staff has been completed and they returned to work. Mortality or intensive care unit stay have not been observed. Conclusion: The transmission rate was relatively low in our university hospital. Our protective measures of increased awareness of personal protection, adherence to algorithms, supportive attitudes of hospital management, proper preparation and intervention play a critical role in reducing infection risk for healthcare workers. Public Interest Summary. Corona Virus (COVID 19) pandemic may continue for more time. To prevent its spread within health workers personnel, should follow a strict preventive measure. Increased awareness of personal protection equipment, adherence to algorithms, supportive attitudes of hospital management, proper preparation and intervention play a critical role in reducing infection risk for healthcare workers. Supportive behaviours of hospital administration and managers are essential to increase the enthusiasm of the staff. The Ministry of Health (MOH) should design a flexible working hours system and prevent long working hours under extreme pressure. All meetings are better to be held with a teleconference to prevent face-to-face transmission.

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The Utilization of Protective Face Masks among Polish Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic: Do We Pass the Exam?

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020841 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 841

Author(s):

Radomir Reszke ◽

Łukasz Matusiak ◽

Piotr K. Krajewski ◽

Marta Szepietowska ◽

Rafał Białynicki-Birula ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Medical Profession ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Internet Survey ◽

World Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Protective Measures ◽

Who Criteria ◽

The Face ◽

Health Organization

Relevant personal protective measures during the COVID-19 pandemic include face masks, possibly decreasing the risk of infection among the general population and healthcare workers (HCW) if utilized properly. The aim of the study was to assess whether different Polish HCW utilize face masks according to the 2020 World Health Organization guidance (WHO) criteria. This cross-sectional study included 1156 respondents who participated in an internet survey evaluating mask-related behaviors. All the WHO criteria were complied with by 1.4% of participants, regardless of medical profession, specialty or place of employment. HCW mostly adhered to criterion 1 (C1; strict covering of the face and mouth with the mask; 90.8%), C4 (washing/disinfecting the hands after touching/taking off the mask; 49%) and C3 (taking off the mask properly without touching the anterior surface; 43.4%), whereas C2 (avoidance of touching the mask with hands) was complied with least commonly (6.8%). HCW with mask-induced itch (31.6%) complied to C2 less often (odds ratio 0.53; p = 0.01). The study reveals that Polish HCW rarely adhere to all the 2020 WHO guidance criteria on the use of masks, whereas the adherence to particular criteria is variable and may be associated with the presence of skin-related conditions and other factors. Better compliance with the recommendations in the future is necessary to increase personal safety of HCW and prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

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Socioeconomic and Behavioral Correlates of COVID-19 Infections among Hospital Workers in the Greater Jakarta Area, Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105048 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5048

Author(s):

Adrianna Bella ◽

Mochamad Thoriq Akbar ◽

Gita Kusnadi ◽

Olivia Herlinda ◽

Putri Aprilia Regita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Worker ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Household Size ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Hospital Workers ◽

Behavioral Correlates ◽

Cross Sectional

(1) Background: because of close contacts with COVID-19 patients, hospital workers are among the highest risk groups for infection. This study examined the socioeconomic and behavioral correlates of COVID-19 infection among hospital workers in Indonesia, the country hardest-hit by the disease in the Southeast Asia region. (2) Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study, which collected data from 1397 hospital staff from eight hospitals in the Greater Jakarta area during April–July 2020. The data was collected using an online self-administered questionnaire and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests. We employed descriptive statistics and adjusted and unadjusted logistic regressions to analyze the data of hospital workers as well as the subgroups of healthcare and non-healthcare workers. (3) Results: from a total of 1397 hospital staff in the study, 22 (1.6%) were infected. In terms of correlates, being a healthcare worker (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 8.31, 95% CI 1.27–54.54) and having a household size of more than five (AOR = 4.09, 1.02–16.43) were significantly associated with a higher risk of infection. On the other hand, those with middle- and upper-expenditure levels were shown to have a lower risk of infection (AOR = 0.06, 0.01–0.66). Behavioral factors associated with COVID-19 infection among healthcare and non-healthcare workers included knowledge of standard personal protective equipment (PPE) (AOR = 0.08, 0.01–0.54) and application of the six-step handwashing technique (AOR = 0.32, 0.12–0.83). (4) Conclusion: among hospital staff, correlates of COVID-19 infection included being a healthcare worker, household size, expenditure level, knowledge and use of PPE, and application of appropriate hand washing techniques.

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Demographic and social correlates and indicators for behavioural compliance with personal protection among Chinese community-dwellers during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041453 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e041453

Author(s):

Xin Xu ◽

Kimberly Ann Chew ◽

Xiaolin Xu ◽

Zhihua Wu ◽

Xiaohua Xiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle Age ◽

Social Indicators ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Personal Protection ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Protective Measures ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Community Dwellers

ObjectivesExamine compliance with personal protective measures in communities for the prevention and control of local transmission of the COVID-19, and explore indicators for such behavioural compliance.DesignCross-sectional design with a self-selecting sample. Data collected in February 2020.SettingCommunity dwellers in China.Participants2956 participants aged 16 and above completed the study and were included in the analysis.Outcome measuresNationwide COVID-19 survey. Demographics and self-reported compliance with four personal protective measures—home quarantine, mask-wearing, temperature-taking and hand-sanitising were collected. Outbreak severity and timeliness of personal protection order were obtained from the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between demographic and social indicators and behavioural compliance.ResultsCompliance with home quarantine was only associated with gender (men, OR=0.61 (0.51–0.73), inverse association) but no other indicators. In contrast, men had higher compliance with mask-wearing (OR=1.79 (1.49–2.16)) and temperature-taking (OR=1.27 (1.05–1.53)). Compared with younger adults (≤20 years), the middle-age groups (31–40 and 41–50 years of age) were more compliant with all protective behaviours, except for home quarantine (OR=0.71 (0.54–0.93) and 0.67 (0.46–0.97), respectively).ConclusionMale gender was associated with lower compliance with home quarantine yet higher compliance with mask-wearing and temperature-taking. The middle-age participants (31–50 years) had lower compliance with home quarantine but higher with other measures. These findings may be supported by the economic considerations and the long-inherited Confucian values among Chinese. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, public health authorities should tailor policy implementation to disparities in psychosocial indicators.

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Mobile phones of paediatric hospital staff are never cleaned and commonly used in toilets with implications for healthcare nosocomial diseases

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-92360-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Matthew Olsen ◽

Anna Lohning ◽

Mariana Campos ◽

Peter Jones ◽

Simon McKirdy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mobile Phones ◽

Categorical Data ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Numerical Data ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Paediatric Hospital ◽

Rapid Spread ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Handling Practices ◽

Micro Organisms

AbstractAn ever-increasing number of medical staff use mobile phones as a work aid, yet this may pose nosocomial diseases. To assess and report via a survey the handling practices and the use of phones by paediatric wards healthcare workers. 165 paediatric healthcare workers and staff filled in a questionnaire consisting of 14 questions (including categorical, ordinal and numerical data). Analysis of categorical data used non-parametric techniques such as the Chi-squared test. Although 98% of respondents (165 in total) report that their phones may be contaminated, 56% have never cleaned their devices. Of the respondents that clean their devices, 10% (17/165) had done so with alcohol swabs or disinfectant within that day or week; and an additional 12% respondents (20/165) within that month. Of concern, 52% (86/165) of the respondents use their phones in the bathroom, emphasising the unhygienic environments in which mobile phones/smartphones are constantly used. Disinfecting phones is a practice that only a minority of healthcare workers undertake appropriately. Mobile phones, present in billions globally, are therefore Trojan Horses if contaminated with microbes and potentially contributing to the spread and propagation of micro-organisms as per the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the world.

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Nano Silver Coated Surgical Apparels and Phaco Needles for Safety of Ophthalmic Surgeons in View of COVID-19 Pandemic

The Open Ophthalmology Journal ◽

10.2174/1874364102115010009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 9-12

Author(s):

Santosh Dnyanmote ◽

Jorge Alio ◽

Anuradha Dnyanmote

Keyword(s):

Healthcare System ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Respiratory Virus ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Infected Person ◽

Source Of Infection ◽

Potential Source ◽

Corona Virus ◽

Co Morbidity ◽

Recent Outbreak

Background: In view of the recent outbreak of the pandemic caused by novel corona virus 19 (n-covid) which has thrown the overall healthcare system that has created fear, apprehension and anxiety amongst all surgeons. Ophthalmic surgeons are no exceptions. The new corona virus is a respiratory virus of the Coronoviridae family containing a single strand of RNA which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. A person can get infected by the virus if the person is within 1 meter of a person with COVID 19 or by touching contaminated surface and then touching eyes, nose or mouth. Methods: Standard recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include frequent cleaning of hands using alcohol based hand rubs or soap and water. Covering the nose and mouth with a proper mask, covering skin, eyes, hair, hands and legs with proper apparel is important. Just like elderly members of the society, the healthcare workers who have some co-morbidity are susceptible to COVID-19 invasion. Asymptomatic carriers who may present with senile or pre-senile cataract can be a potential source of infection to other patients, hospital staff, surgeons and others. Conclusion: It is important that all the microsurgical instruments which will be used for phacoemulsification be properly sterilized. The surfaces of these instruments should remain free of contaminants as these instruments will be used multiple times in other patients as well.

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Contamination of SARS-CoV-2 in patient surroundings and on personal protective equipment in a non-ICU isolation ward for COVID-19 patients with prolonged PCR positive status

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control ◽

10.1186/s13756-020-00839-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Li Wei ◽

Wenzhi Huang ◽

Xiaojun Lu ◽

Yantong Wang ◽

Linzhi Cheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Environmental Sampling ◽

Personal Protection ◽

Personal Protection Equipment ◽

Environmental Cleaning ◽

Air Samples ◽

Before And After ◽

Isolation Ward

Abstract Objectives We performed an environmental sampling study to investigate the environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 by COVID-19 patients with prolonged PCR positive status of clinical samples. Methods We sampled the air from rooms for nine COVID-19 patients with illness or positive PCR > 30 days, before and after nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabbing and before and after nebulization treatment. We also sampled patients’ surroundings and healthcare workers’ personal protection equipment (PPE) in a non-ICU ward. SARS-CoV-2 was detected by PCR. Results Eighty-eight samples were collected from high-touch surfaces and floors in patient rooms and toilets, with only the bedsheets of two patients and one toilet positive for SARS-CoV-2. All air samples (n = 34) were negative for SARS-CoV-2. Fifty-five samples collected from PPE were all negative. Conclusion Contamination of near-patient surroundings was uncommon for COVID-19 patients with prolonged PCR positive status if environmental cleaning/disinfection were performed rigorously. Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was unlikely in these non-ICU settings.

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Does Self-Efficacy and Emotional Control Protect Hospital Staff From COVID-19 Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms? Psychological Functioning of Hospital Staff After the Announcement of COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2020.552583 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Monika Bidzan ◽

Ilona Bidzan-Bluma ◽

Aleksandra Szulman-Wardal ◽

Marcus Stueck ◽

Mariola Bidzan

Keyword(s):

Psychological Functioning ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Self Report ◽

Emotional Control ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Demographic Questionnaire ◽

General Self Efficacy

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in the hospital staff, as well as to identify protective factors of COVID-19 anxiety once the coronavirus pandemic was announced in Poland.Methods90 healthcare workers from the hospital in Poland completed validated self-report questionnaires assessing self-efficacy, emotional control, and PTSD symptoms; a questionnaire assessing COVID-19 anxiety; and a socio-demographic questionnaire. A multiple linear regression was conducted to assess the effects of gender, being directly vs indirectly exposed to patients, and general self-efficacy on COVID-19 anxiety.ResultsThe analysis showed that female (β = −0.271, p < 0.01) healthcare professionals indirectly exposed to patients (β = −0.336, p < 0.01) and those who reported lower levels of general self-efficacy (β = −0.295, p < 0.01) have a stronger tendency to experience COVID-19 anxiety [R2 = 0.301, F(3,89) = 12.34, p < 0.01].ConclusionThe findings show the importance of self-efficacy for dealing with COVID-19 anxiety. The internal coping strategies should be introduced to healthcare workers.

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The prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression within front-line healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-regression

Human Resources for Health ◽

10.1186/s12960-020-00544-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nader Salari ◽

Habibolah Khazaie ◽

Amin Hosseinian-Far ◽

Behnam Khaledi-Paveh ◽

Mohsen Kazeminia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Sample Size ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Research Work ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Front Line ◽

Prevalence Of Depression ◽

Meta Regression

Abstract Background Stress, anxiety, and depression are some of the most important research and practice challenges for psychologists, psychiatrists, and behavioral scientists. Due to the importance of issue and the lack of general statistics on these disorders among the Hospital staff treating the COVID-19 patients, this study aims to systematically review and determine the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression within front-line healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients. Methods In this research work, the systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression approaches are used to approximate the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression within front-line healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients. The keywords of prevalence, anxiety, stress, depression, psychopathy, mental illness, mental disorder, doctor, physician, nurse, hospital staff, 2019-nCoV, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 and Coronaviruses were used for searching the SID, MagIran, IranMedex, IranDoc, ScienceDirect, Embase, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science (ISI) and Google Scholar databases. The search process was conducted in December 2019 to June 2020. In order to amalgamate and analyze the reported results within the collected studies, the random effects model is used. The heterogeneity of the studies is assessed using the I2 index. Lastly, the data analysis is performed within the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Results Of the 29 studies with a total sample size of 22,380, 21 papers have reported the prevalence of depression, 23 have reported the prevalence of anxiety, and 9 studies have reported the prevalence of stress. The prevalence of depression is 24.3% (18% CI 18.2–31.6%), the prevalence of anxiety is 25.8% (95% CI 20.5–31.9%), and the prevalence of stress is 45% (95% CI 24.3–67.5%) among the hospitals’ Hospital staff caring for the COVID-19 patients. According to the results of meta-regression analysis, with increasing the sample size, the prevalence of depression and anxiety decreased, and this was statistically significant (P < 0.05), however, the prevalence of stress increased with increasing the sample size, yet this was not statistically significant (P = 0.829). Conclusion The results of this study clearly demonstrate that the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression within front-line healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients is high. Therefore, the health policy-makers should take measures to control and prevent mental disorders in the Hospital staff.

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