ABSTRACT
Background: Central venous catheter (CVC) related infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It has also been linked to CVC-associated bacteremia, catheter dysfunctions, as well as handling and hygienic measures taken during that time. Objective: The aim of the present study is to compare the bacteremia rate between 2019 and 2020, the last one during which the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic started. The study was accomplished in a hemodialysis unit at the Comunidad Autonoma de Madrid hospital. Material and Method: An observational retrospective cross-sectional study has been carried out in which data related to the management and functioning of the catheter were compared to the bacteremia rate linked to the catheter between 2019 and 2020 through the unit's database. Results: In 2019, thirty-five patients were included, who had a bacteraemia rate of 1.42/1,000 catheter days, and twenty-nine patients in 2020, with a bacteraemia rate of 1.82/1,000 catheter days, finding no significant differences (p=0.54), as well as not finding an increased or decreased bacteremia risk during the first year of the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Conclusions: As the main conclusion of this case of study, we are able to confirm that there is no evidence of the coronavirus pandemic and the measures adopted against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (both organizational and preventives), being a risk or protection factor in regard to the bacteraemia rate, most likely due to the low number of events found. © 2023, Sociedad Espanola de Enfermeria Nefrologica. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: The consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the mental health of kidney transplant recipients have not yet been investigated. Objective(s): This study compares anxiety and quality of life in individuals with a kidney transplant who did or did not test positive for coronavirus. Design(s): Retrospective study of two prospective cohorts. Participant(s): Kidney transplant recipients under follow-up in a Spanish tertiary teaching hospital who tested positive for coronavirus (cases);and consecutive kidney recipients who had not suffered the infection (not-cases). Method(s): Mortality and case fatality data were compared between the two cohorts for the two pandemic waves. For the second wave (July 1 to December 5, 2020), the data compared between cases (n=22) and not-cases (n=36) were state and trait anxiety (STAI), kidney transplant-related quality of life (KTQ), and mortality as the main outcome variables. Result(s): 601 transplanted persons of mean age 61.7 years (SD 12.8), 61.9% men. 12.1% (n=73) tested SARS-CoV-2-positive over the first two pandemic waves with a mortality of 2.9% and case fatality of 24.7%. Over the second wave, the mean quality of life score was 4.1 (SD 0.9) and the overall anxiety score was 49 (SD 24.3) for the two cohorts, which did not vary in terms of the impacts of these measures on the descriptive variables examined. Conclusion(s): Quality of life is invariably affected, and levels of anxiety are high regardless of whether or not they have had a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Over the period examined, mortality was low while coronavirus case fatality was high. Copyright © 2022, Asociacion Regional de Dialisi y Transplantes Renales de Capital Federal y Provincia de Buenos Aires. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
In December 2019, a new coronavirus appeared and generated a pandemic. Considering the characteristics of the transplanted patient, it is relevant to know the impact regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection, aiming to describe the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in renal transplant patients. A retrospective observational cohort study of patients with a renal transplant and under follow-up by the transplant clinic of a tertiary hospital was conducted during the period from 1 March 2020 to 1 March 2021. A total of 604 individuals were included, with a mean age of 61.6 ±12.8 years. 62.3% (n=376) were men. SARS-CoV-2 incidence was 14.9% (n=90). Mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 was 3.8% (n=23), giving a case fatality of 25.5%. No significant differences were found according to sex and age, being 60.9±11.8 years in those infected and 61.7±12.9 years in those not infected. Significant differences (p=0.005) were found for the mean number of years since transplantation;8.7±5.6 years in those infected and 11±7.3 years in those not infected. The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in renal transplant recipients was much higher than that described for the general population. Case fatality and mortality were also higher than in the general population, but in line with other series of individuals with renal transplantation. © 2022, Sociedad Espanola de Enfermeria Nefrologica. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has made it necessary to adapt university health-education. Virtual simulation has been proposed to be a suitable tool. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on nursing students in the final year. The virtual simulation platform vSim® was used. Improvements in knowledge, skills during simulation, satisfaction and selfconfidence obtained through the training provided were analyzed, as well as satisfaction with the platform. RESULTS: Prepost training knowledge improved. Skill acquisition improved between the first and last attempts in all cases. The levels of selfconfidence and satisfaction with the training and the platform used were high. CONCLUSIONS: The vSim® was a useful solution during the pandemic. Knowledge improved and high selfconfidence was obtained.