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

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.

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 ◽

Survey Study ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

The Novel ◽

Restriction Policy ◽

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.

Decontamination Interventions for the Reuse of Surgical Mask Personal Protective Equipment: A Systematic Review

10.31219/osf.io/z7exu ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

David J Zorko ◽

Shira Gertsman ◽

Katie O'Hearn ◽

Nicholas Timmerman ◽

Nasser Ambu-Ali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Original Research ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

The Novel ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Surgical Masks ◽

Study Characteristics ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Citation Screening

Background: The high demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) during the novel coronavirus outbreak has created global shortages and prompted the need to develop strategies to conserve supply. Surgical mask PPE have a broad application of use in a pandemic setting, but little is known regarding decontamination interventions to allow for their reuse. Objective: Identify and synthesize data from original published studies evaluating interventions to decontaminate surgical masks for the purpose of reuse. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, Global Health, the WHO COVID-19 database, Google Scholar, DisasterLit, preprint servers, and prominent journals from inception to April 8, 2020 for prospective original research on decontamination interventions for surgical mask PPE. Citation screening was conducted independently in duplicate. Study characteristics, interventions, and outcomes were extracted from included studies by two independent reviewers. Outcomes of interest included impact of decontamination interventions on surgical mask performance and germicidal effects. Results: Seven studies met eligibility criteria: one evaluated the effects of heat and chemical decontamination interventions applied after mask use on mask performance, and six evaluated interventions applied prior to mask use to enhance antimicrobial properties and/or mask performance. Mask performance and germicidal effects were both evaluated in heterogenous test conditions across a variety of mask samples (whole masks and pieces or individual mask layers). Safety outcomes were infrequently evaluated. Mask performance was best preserved with dry heat decontamination. Germicidal effects were best in salt-, N-halamine- and nanoparticle-coated masks. Conclusion: There is limited evidence on the safety or efficacy of surgical mask decontamination. Given the heterogenous methods used in the studies to date, we are unable to draw conclusions on the most appropriate, safest intervention(s) for decontaminating surgical masks for the purpose of reuse.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the practice of Paediatric Endoscopists in Europe?

10.21203/rs.3.rs-44454/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ilektra Athiana ◽

Corinne Légeret ◽

Patrick Bontems ◽

Luigi Dall'Oglio ◽

Paola De Angelis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

United Kingdom ◽

European Society ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

The Novel ◽

Endoscopic Procedures ◽

Viral Spread ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Time Point

Abstract Background: As endoscopists are at risk to get infected by the novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 during endoscopic procedures, the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) published recommendations regarding protection for the paediatric endoscopist and endoscopy suite staff. The aim of this survey was to investigate whether European paediatric gastroenterology centres applied the recommendations and how this extraordinary situation was handled by the different centres.Results: Twelve Paediatric European gastroenterology centers (from Belgium, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and United Kingdom) participated. Nine centres (75%) screened their patients for a possible COVID-19 infection before the procedure, the same amount of hospitals changed their practice based on the ESPGHAN recommendations. 67% of the centres reduced the staff in the endoscopy suite, 83% of the units used FFP2/3 masks and protective goggles during the procedure and 75% wore waterproof gowns.Conclusion: The global situation caused by COVID-19 changed so rapidly, and hospitals had to react immediately to protect staff and patients and could not wait for guidelines to be published. Furthermore, uniform guidelines could not be applied by all European hospitals at a certain time point of the viral spread, as different regions of Europe were not only affected differently by COVID-19, but also had different access to personal protective equipment.

An Otorhinolaryngology Perspective Into a Hospital COVID-19 Cluster

Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare ◽

10.1177/20101058211055518 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 201010582110555

Author(s):

Jian Li Tan ◽

Ming Yann Lim ◽

Augustine Yui Ler Chai ◽

Seng Beng Yeo

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Healthcare Facility ◽

Healthcare Institution ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Variant Strain ◽

Essential Services ◽

The Future

In this commentary, we share our experience of a COVID-19 cluster which developed within a frontline healthcare facility designated for treating COVID-19 patients. We provide an Otorhinolaryngology perspective into the key challenges, analyses and responses. We discuss how we identified and isolated infected patients and staff, uncovered the responsible COVID-19 variant strain B1.617.2 and instituted various measures to overcome this cluster. The measures include ceasing non-essential services, limiting transfers of patients, a heightened stance of personal protective equipment, ring-fencing of staff and enhanced COVID-19 testing. With rapid hospital wide efforts, there were no new non-isolated cases from our hospital cluster 3 days after the wards were locked down. The cluster which developed on 28-April-2021 was closed on 6-Jun-2021, with 48 cases, ten of whom were healthcare workers. Some of these lessons may be useful for consideration should another healthcare institution face a similar crisis in the future.

Departments of Pediatrics Approach at the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Portuguese Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1159/000519499 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Beatriz Simões Vala ◽

Mariana Lopes Costa ◽

Joana Aquino ◽

Bilhota Xavier

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health System ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Public Health System ◽

Pediatric Emergency ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Clinical Criteria ◽

Introduction: The novel coronavirus pandemic poses a challenge to healthcare systems’ balance. Since children apparently have milder disease courses, COVID-19 guidelines were not easily adapted to pediatrics. We intend to characterize how the national departments of pediatrics adapted to the pandemic at the beginning and describe the measures that were taken to protect healthcare workers. Methods: An unvalidated online questionnaire was sent to all departments of pediatrics directors of Portuguese public health system hospitals regarding course of actions taken between April and May 2020 to face the new coronavirus pandemic. Neonatology units were excluded. Results: Thirty-eight questionnaires were included (93% of public health system departments). All departments divided the pediatric emergency unit into non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 areas: 68% in different areas, 47% divided the same space with a physical barrier and 16% with a line on the floor. Healthcare workers were divided into non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 teams in 71% of the departments. Personal protective equipment mostly used in COVID-19 areas consisted of face shield/goggles (97%) and respirators (95%). Others wore surgical masks (8%). The main clinical criteria for testing were Direção-Geral da Saúde criteria (84%). Presential appointments were maintained in 68% of departments with selected follow-up (81%) and priority-first appointments (73%). Discussion: National departments of pediatrics faced the pandemic differently and measures taken in the emergency department were more similar. Personal protective equipment was adequate in all wards with occasional overuse, considering national and international guidelines.

Use of 3D printing to support COVID-19 medical supply shortages: a review

Journal of 3D Printing in Medicine ◽

10.2217/3dp-2020-0031 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Stephanie Ishack ◽

Shari R Lipner

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Health Workers ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Three Dimensional Model ◽

Mortality And Morbidity ◽

Potential Applications ◽

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, created a pandemic with significant mortality and morbidity which poses challenges for patients and healthcare workers. The global spread of COVID-19 has resulted in shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) leaving frontline health workers unprotected and overwhelming the healthcare system. 3D printing is well suited to address shortages of masks, face shields, testing kits and ventilators. In this article, we review 3D printing and suggest potential applications for creating PPE for healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed with keywords “Coronavirus disease 2019”, “COVID-19”, “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2”, “SARS-CoV-2”, “supply shortages”, “N95 respirator masks”, “personal protective equipment”, “PPE”, “ventilators”, “three-dimensional model”, “three-dimensional printing” “3D printing” and “ventilator”. A summary of important studies relevant to the development of 3D printed clinical applications for COVID-19 is presented. 3D technology has great potential to revolutionize healthcare through accessibility, affordably and personalization.

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 ◽

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.

Community Pharmacists in Taiwan at the Frontline Against the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic: Gatekeepers for the Rationing of Personal Protective Equipment

Annals of Internal Medicine ◽

10.7326/m20-1404 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 173 (2) ◽

pp. 149-150 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Huang-Tz Ou ◽

Yea-Huei Kao Yang

Keyword(s):

Community Pharmacists ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

The Novel ◽

GAAREIP: Indian Innovation of Caps and Personal Protective Equipment

Journal of Neonatology ◽

10.1177/0973217920927606 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (1-2) ◽

pp. 24-27

Author(s):

Aakash Pandita ◽

Girish Gupta

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

The Novel ◽

Care Workers ◽

The World ◽

Coronavirus Infection ◽

The world has recently been hit by a pandemic caused by the novel Coronavirus infection. The infection is highly contagious and possesses a significant risk for health care workers caring for the infected patients. With more than 200 countries being affected and around 3,00,000 deaths across the globe, the essential supply of masks and personal protective equipment has been falling short of the ever increasing need. In such crisis there is a need for innovating and designing endogenous masks and equipment to avoid compromise in care of the effected patients and for safeguarding the health of health care workers.

Functionalized photocatalytic nanocoatings for inactivating COVID-19 virus residing on surfaces of public and healthcare facilities

Coronaviruses ◽

10.2174/2666796702666210222110403 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 02 ◽

Author(s):

Manjunatha Channegowda

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Large Population ◽

Respiratory Illness ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

New Disease ◽

Polymeric Surfaces ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

: The current ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has affected the large population across the globe by serious respiratory illness and death. Since the medicine for this new disease is yet to discover, the treatment options against pandemic COVID-19 are very limited and unsatisfactory. Further, the hospitals trying to treat the COVID-19 patients are majorly infected by this virus, as it sustain on the surfaces of inanimate objects for days. Therefore, hospitals have become hotspots for novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Till date millions of healthcare workers are infected in many countries, and several have died too. The non-availability of quality personal protective equipment (PPE) and the more duration of exposure with severe and critical COVID patients, have been a major factor for the infection in millions of healthcare workers. However, developing an effective medicine has remained challenging due to its unpredicted mutation rate. Here, this article proposes functionalized photocatalytic nanocoatings to destroy the COVID-19 virus, which can be applied on the surface of inanimate objects such as paper, cloth, glass, wood, ceramic, metallic, polymeric surfaces etc. With the supporting experimental results, various possible ways of killing the virus and its mechanism is discussed. This article provides new insights for developing nano solutions to address this COVID-19 issue.