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

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.

Availability and use of personal protective equipment and satisfaction of healthcare professionals during COVID-19 pandemic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Archives of Public Health ◽

10.1186/s13690-021-00668-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wakgari Deressa ◽

Alemayehu Worku ◽

Workeabeba Abebe ◽

Muluken Gizaw ◽

Wondwossen Amogne

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Addis Ababa ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are at the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 and are at an increased risk of becoming infected with coronavirus. Risk of infection can be minimized by use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE). The aim of this study was to assess the availability and use of PPE, and satisfaction of HCPs with PPE in six public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1134 HCPs in June 2020. A systematic random sampling and consecutive sampling techniques were used to select the study participants. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data and Chi-square test was used to assess the association between the groups. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with satisfaction of healthcare workers. Results The mean (±SD) age of the participants was 30.26 ± 6.43 year and 52.6% were females. Nurses constituted about 40% of the overall sample, followed by physicians (22.2%), interns (10.8%), midwives (10.3%) and others (16.7%). The majority (77%) of the HCPs reported that their hospital did not have adequate PPE. A critical shortage of N95 respirators was particularly reported, it only increased from 13 to 24% before and during COVID-19, respectively. The use of N95 increased from 9 to 21% before and during COVID-19, respectively. Almost 72% of the respondents were dissatisfied with the availability and use of PPE in their hospital. The independent predictors of the respondents’ satisfaction level about PPE were healthcare workers who reported that PPE was adequately available in the hospital (adjusted OR = 7.65, 95% CI:5.09–11.51), and preparedness to provide care to COVID-19 cases (adjusted OR = 2.07, 95% CI:1.42–3.03). Conclusions A critical shortage of appropriate PPE and high level of dissatisfaction with the availability and use of PPE were identified. Therefore, urgent efforts are needed to adequately supply the healthcare facilities with appropriate PPE to alleviate the challenges.

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.

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):

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.

COVID-19: The Importance of Adequate Personal Protective Equipment in Healthcare Medical Staff

Journal of Regenerative Biology and Medicine ◽

10.37191/mapsci-2582-385x-2(2)-021 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anne Weissenstein

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Emotional Resilience ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Care Services ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

And Control

We present an update on infection prevention and control for COVID-19 in healthcare settings. This update focuses on measures to be applied in settings with increasing community transmission, growing demand for concern about COVID-19 patients, and subsequent staffing issues in the event of shortages of personal protective equipment for healthcare facilities worldwide. The comfort and emotional resilience of health care workers are key components in maintaining essential health care services during the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) outbreak.

Infection control practices and challenges in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Journal of Infection Prevention ◽

10.1177/17571774211012761 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 175717742110127

Author(s):

Salma Abbas ◽

Faisal Sultan

Keyword(s):

Prevention And Control ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

And Control

Background: Patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities during outbreaks hinges on a prompt infection prevention and control response. Physicians leading these programmes have encountered numerous obstacles during the pandemic. Aim/objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate infection prevention and control practices and explore the challenges in Pakistan during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and administered a survey to physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes at 18 hospitals in Pakistan. Results: All participants implemented universal masking, limited the intake of patients and designated separate triage areas, wards and intensive care units for coronavirus disease 2019 patients at their hospitals. Eleven (61%) physicians reported personal protective equipment shortages. Staff at three (17%) hospitals worked without the appropriate personal protective equipment due to limited supplies. All participants felt overworked and 17 (94%) reported stress. Physicians identified the lack of negative pressure rooms, fear and anxiety among hospital staff, rapidly evolving guidelines, personal protective equipment shortages and opposition from hospital staff regarding the choice of recommended personal protective equipment as major challenges during the pandemic. Discussion: The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes in Pakistan. It is essential to support infection prevention and control personnel and bridge the identified gaps to ensure patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities.

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.

Skin problems related to personal protective equipment among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic (online research)

Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology ◽

10.1080/15569527.2021.1902340 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Fatma Etgu ◽

Sevda Onder

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Online Research

Stress and Associated Factors among Frontline Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Epicenter of Da Nang City, Vietnam

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18147378 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (14) ◽

pp. 7378

Author(s):

Nhan Phuc Thanh Nguyen ◽

Duong Dinh Le ◽

Robert Colebunders ◽

Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽

Trung Dinh Tran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Stress Component ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Working Hours ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Laboratory Workers ◽

Frontline Healthcare Workers ◽

Second Wave

Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) involved in the COVID-19 response have a higher risk of experiencing psychosocial distress amidst the pandemic. Between July and September 2020, a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic appeared in Vietnam with Da Nang city being the epicenter. During the outbreak, HCWs were quarantined within the health facilities in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19 to their respective communities. Using the stress component of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), we assessed the level of stress among HCWs in Da Nang city. Between 30 August and 15 September 2020, 746 frontline HCWs were recruited to fill in an online structured questionnaire. Overall, 44.6% of participants experienced increased stress and 18.9% severe or extremely severe stress. In multivariable analysis, increased stress was associated with longer working hours (OR = 1.012; 95% CI: 1.004–1.019), working in health facilities providing COVID-19 treatment (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.04–2.39), having direct contact with patients or their bio-samples (physicians, nurses and laboratory workers; OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.02–1.99), low confidence in the available personal protective equipment (OR = 0.846; 95% CI: 0.744–0.962) and low knowledge on COVID-19 prevention and treatment (OR = 0.853; 95% CI: 0.739–0.986). In conclusion, many frontline HCWs experienced increased stress during the COVID-19 outbreak in Da Nang city. Reducing working time, providing essential personal protective equipment and enhancing the knowledge on COVID-19 will help to reduce this stress. Moreover, extra support is needed for HCWs who are directly exposed to COVID-19 patients.