scholarly journals Ward renovation and PPE use procedures to protect medical staff from COVID-19 infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (06) ◽  
pp. 554-558
Author(s):  
Zhengze Lin ◽  
Hongmei Shu ◽  
Dongping Jiang ◽  
Yanlan He ◽  
Hongtao Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Staff ◽  
General Ward ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Personal Protection ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Underdeveloped Countries ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Late Stages

In the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, many cross-infections occurred due to the limited number of wards and insufficient medical staff, which could not cope with the large number of patients visiting the hospital. A series of new infection control measures were implemented in our institution and a Wuhan hospital supported by our medical team, mainly including temporarily transforming the general ward into a passage for the staff to enter the infectious ward and standardizing the procedure for the wearing and removal of personal protection equipment (PPE). These measures significantly improved the situation, and no member of our medical staff was infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the middle and late stages of the disease epidemic. We hope that these experiences can provide references for medical institutions that may face an outbreak of COVID-19, especially those in underdeveloped countries and regions.

Eye in COVID-19: A Brief Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Mohsin Ali ◽  
Qudsia Anwar Dar ◽  
Zahid Kamal ◽  
Alishba Khan
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Transmission Route ◽  
Ocular Manifestation ◽  
Personal Protection ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Ocular Manifestations ◽  
Infection Control Measures

This is a brief review covering the currently available literature on ocular manifestations of COVID-19, andprevention strategies for ophthalmologists. A literature search was carried out of Pubmed, Google Scholar andWHO database of publications on COVID. Keywords used in the search were eye, ocular manifestations,ophthalmology, COVID-19, nCoV-2019, and coronavirus disease. All available articles were reviewed and thosepertinent to the study topic were included. Considering the dearth of information available, ophthalmology journals were also searched separately for relevant articles. Major ocular manifestation of COVID reported in literature is red eye, which usually presents before the onset of respiratory symptoms. Since the eye can be a possible transmission route for SARS-CoV-2, infection control measures should be undertaken by ophthalmologists, including use of personal protection equipment and eye/face covering. A framework for structuring ophthalmological services during the COVID pandemic is also presented in this review.

scholarly journals Knowledge and perception regarding personal protection equipment and infection control measures against COVID-19 among dental practitioners of Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
SaeedAli Alqahtani ◽  
MashaelObaid Alshahrani ◽  
MonaOweidh Alnefaie ◽  
AbdullahMana Almofrej ◽  
FahadHassan Aldaghsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Personal Protection ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Dental Practitioners

scholarly journals Sources of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Microorganisms in Dental Aerosols

2021 ◽  
pp. 002203452110159
Author(s):  
A.P. Meethil ◽  
S. Saraswat ◽  
P.P. Chaudhary ◽  
S.M. Dabdoub ◽  
P.S. Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Dental Treatment ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Personal Protection ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Linear Discriminant ◽  
16S Sequencing ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients

On March 16, 2020, 198,000 dentists in the United States closed their doors to patients, fueled by concerns that aerosols generated during dental procedures are potential vehicles for transmission of respiratory pathogens through saliva. Our knowledge of these aerosol constituents is sparse and gleaned from case reports and poorly controlled studies. Therefore, we tracked the origins of microbiota in aerosols generated during ultrasonic scaling, implant osteotomy, and restorative procedures by combining reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (to identify and quantify SARS-CoV-2) and 16S sequencing (to characterize the entire microbiome) with fine-scale enumeration and source tracking. Linear discriminant analysis of Bray-Curtis dissimilarity distances revealed significant class separation between the salivary microbiome and aerosol microbiota deposited on the operator, patient, assistant, or the environment ( P < 0.01, analysis of similarities). We also discovered that 78% of the microbiota in condensate could be traced to the dental irrigant, while saliva contributed to a median of 0% of aerosol microbiota. We also identified low copy numbers of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the saliva of several asymptomatic patients but none in aerosols generated from these patients. Together, the bacterial and viral data encourage us to conclude that when infection control measures are used, such as preoperative mouth rinses and intraoral high-volume evacuation, dental treatment is not a factor in increasing the risk for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic patients and that standard infection control practices are sufficiently capable of protecting personnel and patients from exposure to potential pathogens. This information is of immediate urgency, not only for safe resumption of dental treatment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but also to inform evidence-based selection of personal protection equipment and infection control practices at a time when resources are stretched and personal protection equipment needs to be prioritized.

scholarly journals Clinical Application of Interferon-γ Release Assays for the Prevention of Tuberculosis in Countries with Low Incidence

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Lange ◽  
Anna M. Mandalakas ◽  
Barbara Kalsdorf ◽  
Claudia M. Denkinger ◽  
Martina Sester
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
World Health ◽  
Preventive Chemotherapy ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
Health Organization

Despite global efforts to control tuberculosis (TB) the estimated number of people who developed TB worldwide increased to an all-time record of more than 10 million in 2015. The goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce the global incidence of TB to less than 100 cases per million by 2035, cannot be reached unless TB prevention is markedly improved. There is a need for an improved vaccine that better protects individuals who are exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis from infection and active disease compared to the current M. bovis Bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG) vaccine. In the absence of such a vaccine, prevention relies on infection control measures and preventive chemotherapy for people with latent infection with M. tuberculosis (LTBI), who have the highest risk of progression to active TB. During the past decade, interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) have increasingly replaced the tuberculin skin test as screening tools for the diagnosis of LTBI in countries with a low incidence of TB. Despite recent WHO guidelines on the management of LTBI, the definition of groups at risk for TB remains controversial, and the role of IGRAs for TB prevention in low-incidence countries remains uncertain. We reviewed the scientific literature and provide recommendations for the use of IGRAs for LTBI diagnosis in low-incidence countries. These recommendations are based on the number of patients needing treatment in order to prevent one case of TB. As the positive predictive value of IGRAs for the development of TB is sub-optimal, research must focus on the identification of alternative biomarkers that offer better predictive ability in order to substantially reduce the number needing treatment while improving the prevention of TB and improving the effectiveness of targeted preventive chemotherapy.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Therapeutic Outcomes of Antibiotic Regimen Against Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clement Yaw Effah ◽  
Emmanuel Kwateng Drokow ◽  
Clement Agboyibor ◽  
Shaohua Liu ◽  
Emmanuel Nuamah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Antibiotic Regimen ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Number Of Patients

Background: Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CpKP) has been implicated as an increasing threat to public health. CpKP is a ubiquitous, opportunistic pathogen that causes both hospital and community acquired infections. This organism hydrolyzes carbapenems and other β-lactams and thus, leading to multiple resistance to these antibiotics. Despite the difficult to treat nature of infections caused by CpKP, little has been discussed on the mortality, clinical response and microbiological success rates associated with various antibiotic regimen against CpKP. This meta-analysis was designed to fill the paucity of information on the clinical impact of various antibiotic therapeutic regimens among patients infected with CpKP.Materials and Methods: Literature in most English databases such as Medline through PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and EMBASE, were searched for most studies published between the years 2015–2020. Data were analyzed using the R studio 2.15.2 statistical software program (metaphor and meta Package, Version 2) by random-effects (DerSimonian and Laird) model.Results: Twenty-one (21) studies including 2841 patients who had been infected with CpKP were analysed. The overall mortality rate was 32.2% (95%CI = 26.23–38.87; I2 = 89%; p-value ≤ 0.01, Number of patients = 2716). Pooled clinical and microbiological success rates were 67.6% (95%CI = 58.35–75.64, I2 = 22%, p-value = 0.25, Number of patients = 171) and 74.9% (95%CI = 59.02–86.09, I2 = 53%, p-value = 0.05, Number of patients = 121), respectively. CpKP infected patients treated with combination therapy are less likely to die as compared to those treated with monotherapy (OR = 0.55, 95%CI = 0.35–0.87, p-value = 0.01, Number of patients = 1,475). No significant difference existed between the mortality rate among 60years and above patients vs below 60years (OR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.28–2.57, p-value = 0.76, 6 studies, Number of patients = 1,688), and among patients treated with triple therapy vs. double therapy (OR = 0.50, 95%CI = 0.21–1.22, p-value = 0.13, 2 studies, Number of patients = 102). When compared with aminoglycoside-sparing therapies, aminoglycoside-containing therapies had positive significant outcomes on both mortality and microbiological success rates.Conclusion: New effective therapies are urgently needed to help fight infections caused by this organism. The effective use of various therapeutic options and the strict implementation of infection control measures are of utmost importance in order to prevent infections caused by CpKP. Strict national or international implementation of infection control measures and treatment guidelines will help improve healthcare, and equip governments and communities to respond to and prevent the spread of infectious diseases caused by CpKP.

scholarly journals How COVID changed surgical acute inflammatory diseases and surgeons clinical practice during the first wave of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector Guadalajara ◽  
Jose Luis Muñoz de Nova ◽  
Saul Fernandez Gonzalez ◽  
Marina Yiasemidou ◽  
Maria Recarte Rico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Surgical Services ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BackgroundAnecdotal evidence suggests that community infection control measures during the COVID-19 outbreak have modified the number and natural history of acute surgical inflammatory processes (ASIP - appendicitis, cholecystitis, diverticulitis and perianal abscesses) admissions. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation and treatment ASIP and quantify the effect of COVID-19 infection on the outcomes of ASIP patients. MethodsThis was a multicentre, comparative study, whereby ASIP cases from March 14th to May 2nd 2019 acted as historical controls for the cohort of patients with the same pathology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data regarding patient and disease characteristics as well as outcomes, were collected from sixteen centres in Madrid, and one in Seville (Spain).ResultsThe number of patients treated for ASIP in 2019 was 822 compared to 521 in 2020. This reduction occurs mainly in patients with mild cases, while the number of severe cases was similar. ConclusionsThe number of ASIP cases treated during the pandemic was reduced by more than one third mainly due to a dramatic reduction in mild cases. This also has represented a selection of severe cases. We also found a more conservative approach to the patients this year, non-justified by clinical circumstances.The positive COVID-19 status itself did not have a direct impact on either morbidity or mortality. This is an interesting finding which if confirmed through future research with a larger sample size of COVID-19 positive patients, can expedite the recovery phase of acute surgical services.

scholarly journals Medical workers of zhytomir oblast and assessment of the risks of their infection with SARS-COV-2 virus in the aspect of safety, occupational hygiene, and infectious control

2021 ◽  
pp. 4-13
Author(s):  
О.P. Yavorovskyi ◽  
◽  
Yu.M. Skaletskyi ◽  
R.P. Brukhno ◽  
L.V. Kharchuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Personal Protection ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Mathematical Methods ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Study Results

Objective: We assessed safety, occupational health and infectious control at the institutions of public health of Zhytomyr oblast of Ukraine to improve the management of the risks of the infection of medical personnel with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and to reduce the occupational morbidity and mortality of medical workers from COVID-19. Materials and methods: We used bibliographic, hygienic, questionnaire and mathematical methods in the study. The results of our own observations, questionnaires for a survey of medical workers, data of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the State Service of Ukraine for Labour, and thematic scientific sources of information were used as a material for the study. Results: The work of medical workers, involved in COVID-19 pandemic overcoming, is classified as dangerous (extreme). Besides SARS-CoV-2 virus, concomitant physical, chemical factors, and high physical and neuro-emotional stress affect the formation of working conditions in medical workers. Nurses (38.57%), junior nurses (26.10%), paramedics (5.37%), general practitioners of family medicine (4.85%), surgeons (4.16%), anesthesiologists (2.54%), infectious disease doctors (2.08%), radiologists (1.85%) are among medical workers who have been diagnosed with an acute occupational COVID-19 disease in Zhytomyr oblast of Ukraine. Conclusions: The main reasons of the high levels of occupational morbidity in medical workers of Zhytomyr oblast include personal carelessness of the victims; non-use of personal protection equipment if available; work in the focus of the disease; absence or poor-quality instruction on labour protection; not full provision with personnel in Zhytomyr oblast and medical workers with personal protection equipment in the medical institutions; shortage of epidemiologists, hygienists, and occupational pathologists.

scholarly journals Infection Control Measures in Dental Clinics during Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (D) ◽  
pp. 61-67
Author(s):  
Rawa Kamal Abdelrahim ◽  
Husham Abu Elgasim Abdoun ◽  
Pradeep Koppolu ◽  
Lingam Amara Swapna
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Dental Clinics ◽  
Number Of Patients

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 is an infectious respiratory disease causing different symptoms ranging from mild to more complicated cases. In dental clinics, there is a potential risk of cross-infection between dental health worker and patients. Therefore, new infection prevention measures have been recommended to minimize spread of COVID-19 in dental clinics. AIM: The aim of this study is to get an insight into the infection control measures followed by dentists and modification done in personal protective equipment (PPE) to combat spread of infection during COVID-19 in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional data using online Google survey. The sample included dentists working in either private or government from different regions in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Chi-square test was used to investigate the association between categorical variables (p < 0.05) RESULTS: Seventy dentists included in the study of which 40% are working in Riyadh. Dental clinics are undertaken respiratory triage and reduce number of patients in waiting area (91% and 98%, respectively). Increased usage of PPE (head cap, face shield, and N95 mask) during the pandemic was observed in the study sample (p = 0.001). Working hours and number of patients were reduced during COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Evidence shows that majority of dentists working in KSA are following recommended measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Some dentists modified their PPE during the pandemic. However, further research is required to investigate adherence to infection control measures by dentists.

Current recommendations for pulmonary function testing during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (14) ◽  
pp. 5-8
Author(s):  
M. Yu. Kameneva ◽  
O. I. Savushkina ◽  
A. V. Cherniak
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Pulmonary Function Testing ◽  
Cross Infection ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Professional Communities ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Function Testing

The article summarizes the experience of leading professional communities in organizing the work of lung function laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations on the choice of methods, indications for pulmonary function testing and infection control measures aimed at minimizing the risk of cross-infection of medical staff and patients are presented.

scholarly journals The SARS-CoV-2 first wave impact in the acute inflammatory surgical pathologies

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Guadalajara ◽  
J. L. Muñoz de Nova ◽  
M. Yiasemidou ◽  
M. Recarte Rico ◽  
L. D. Juez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laparoscopic Approach ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Wave Impact ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAnecdotal evidence suggests that community infection control measures during the COVID-19 outbreak have modified the number and natural history of acute surgical inflammatory processes (ASIP—appendicitis, cholecystitis, diverticulitis and perianal abscesses) admissions. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation and treatment ASIP and quantify the effect of COVID-19 infection on the outcomes of ASIP patients. This was a multicentre, comparative study, whereby ASIP cases from 2019, 2020 and 2021 (March 14th to May 2nd) were analyzed. Data regarding patient and disease characteristics as well as outcomes, were collected from sixteen centres in Madrid, and one in Seville (Spain). The number of patients treated for ASIP in 2019 was 822 compared to 521 in 2020 and 835 in 2021. This 1/3rd reduction occurs mainly in patients with mild cases, while the number of severe cases was similar. Surgical standards suffered a step back during the first wave: Lower laparoscopic approach and longer length of stay. We also found a more conservative approach to the patients this year, non-justified by clinical circumstances. Luckily these standards improved again in 2021. The positive COVID-19 status itself did not have a direct impact on mortality. Strikingly, none of the 33 surgically treated COVID positive patients during both years died postoperatively. This is an interesting finding which, if confirmed through future research with a larger sample size of COVID-19 positive patients, can expedite the recovery phase of acute surgical services.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document