Factors associated with mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary hospital in Lambayeque, Peru, during the first wave of the pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide, becoming a long-term pandemic. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the factors associated with mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in a tertiary hospital in the Lambayeque region of Peru. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19, hospitalized in a hospital in northern Peru, was conducted from March to September 2020. RESULTS: Of the 297 patients studied, 69% were women, the mean age was 63.99 years (SD = ±15.33 years). Hypertension was the most frequent comorbidity (36.67%), followed by diabetes mellitus (24.67%) and obesity (8.33%). The probability of survival at 3 days of ICU stay was 65.3%, at 7 days 24.2%, and 0% on day 14. Risk factors associated with mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 are age, male sex, tachypnea, low systolic blood pressure, low peripheral oxygen saturation, impaired renal function, elevated IL-6 and elevated D-dimer. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 was 51.18 per 100 persons, Mortality was found to be associated with hypertension, type of infiltrating, and sepsis.

Association between the Use of Antibiotics and the Development of Acute Renal Injury in Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 in a Hospital in the Peruvian Amazon.

Introduction: A significant antibiotic prescribing pattern associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has been described. Multiple protocols included empirical antimicrobials, leading to a substantial increase in antimicrobial consumption in medical care. A higher mortality rate is described among patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who received antibiotics. Objectives: To determine the association between the use of antibiotics and the development of acute renal injury in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in patients treated at the Hospital II EsSalud de Ucayali, 2021. Methods: A cross-sectional-analytical study was conducted, evaluating the medical records of patients admitted to the intensive care unit between July 2020 and July 2021. For the statistical analysis, measures of central tendency and dispersion, statistical hypothesis contrast tests were used in relation to acute kidney injury (AKI), antibiotic use and associated factors, derived from linear regression models. Results: The factors that were positively associated with the development of AKI were sepsis (aPR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.26-6.43), shock (aPR:2.49; 95% CI: 1.28-4.86), mechanical ventilation (aPR:9.11; 95% CI: 1.23-67.57), and use of vancomycin (aPR: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.19-8.27). Conclusions: In the Peruvian Amazon, there is a high consumption and inadequate prescription of antibiotics. The drugs most commonly used for the treatment of COVID-19 were: aminoglycosides, vancomycin, ivermectin, azithromycin, tocilizumab, and corticosteroids. The development of AKI among hospitalized patients was found to be related to vancomycin administration. In addition, an association was found with the use of mechanical ventilation, a high body mass index, and the presence of complications such as sepsis or shock. Therefore, inappropriate antibiotic use for COVID-19 has been associated with multiple negative outcomes and consequences.

Reusing N95 Respirators: decontamination strategies applicable in COVID-19 pandemics in Peru

RESUMEN El virus SARS-CoV-2 o virus del COVID-19, considerado como emergencia internacional de salud pública, fue declarada posteriormente como una pandemia. Debido a la alta propagación del virus del COVID-19 por medio de droplets, la demanda de los equipos de protección personal (EPP) para el personal de salud ha sido notable, en especial el de los respiradores. Por ende, se hace importante conocer los métodos de descontaminación considerados para su aplicación en nuestro medio;teniendo en cuenta el uso adecuado de medidas de asepsia y antisepsia, garantizando a su vez la integridad del respirador (correas, puente nasal y material de espuma nasal) y contando con el proceso natural de degradación. Los métodos adecuados de desinfección en respiradores descritos son: el uso de hornos esterilizadores (calor seco), autoclave (vapor), radiación ultravioleta (UV) y vaporizadores caseros (olla arrocera con vaporizador). Estos métodos deben ser empleados acordes a las necesidades del personal de salud. ABSTRACT The SARS-CoV-2 virus, also called COVID-19, was initially considered as an international public health emergency, and later it was declared as a pandemic. Due to the high spread of COVID-19 through droplets, the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare professionals has been remarkable, particularly filtering face-piece particulate respirators. Therefore, it is important to know the decontamination methods proposed for their application in our environment, considering the proper asepsis and antisepsis measures to be used, and also on how to preserve the integrity of the device (straps, nasal bridge and nasal foam material) and counting on its natural degradation process. Adequate methods for disinfecting these devices are as follows: using sterilizing ovens (dry heat), autoclave (steam), ultraviolet radiation (UV) and homemade vaporizers, which should be used according to the needs of the healthcare professionals.

Reusing N95 Respirators: decontamination strategies applicable in COVID-19 pandemics in Peru

RESUMEN El virus SARS-CoV-2 o virus del COVID-19, considerado como emergencia internacional de salud pública, fue declarada posteriormente como una pandemia. Debido a la alta propagación del virus del COVID-19 por medio de droplets, la demanda de los equipos de protección personal (EPP) para el personal de salud ha sido notable, en especial el de los respiradores. Por ende, se hace importante conocer los métodos de descontaminación considerados para su aplicación en nuestro medio;teniendo en cuenta el uso adecuado de medidas de asepsia y antisepsia, garantizando a su vez la integridad del respirador (correas, puente nasal y material de espuma nasal) y contando con el proceso natural de degradación. Los métodos adecuados de desinfección en respiradores descritos son: el uso de hornos esterilizadores (calor seco), autoclave (vapor), radiación ultravioleta (UV) y vaporizadores caseros (olla arrocera con vaporizador). Estos métodos deben ser empleados acordes a las necesidades del personal de salud. ABSTRACT The SARS-CoV-2 virus, also called COVID-19, was initially considered as an international public health emergency, and later it was declared as a pandemic. Due to the high spread of COVID-19 through droplets, the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare professionals has been remarkable, particularly filtering face-piece particulate respirators. Therefore, it is important to know the decontamination methods proposed for their application in our environment, considering the proper asepsis and antisepsis measures to be used, and also on how to preserve the integrity of the device (straps, nasal bridge and nasal foam material) and counting on its natural degradation process. Adequate methods for disinfecting these devices are as follows: using sterilizing ovens (dry heat), autoclave (steam), ultraviolet radiation (UV) and homemade vaporizers, which should be used according to the needs of the healthcare professionals.