ABSTRACT
Upon initial discovery in late 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2, has managed to spread across the planet. A plethora of symptoms affecting multiple organ systems have been described, with the most common being nonspecific upper respiratory symptoms: cough, dyspnea, and wheezing. However, the cardiovascular system is also at risk following COVID-19 infection. Numerous cardiovascular complications have been reported by physicians globally, in particular cardiac tamponade Physicians must hold a high index of suspicion in identifying and treating patients with cardiac tamponade who may have contracted the novel coronavirus. This review will describe the current epidemiology and pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 and cardiac tamponade, highlighting their clinical course progression and the implications it may have for the severity of both illnesses. The paper will also review published case reports of cardiac tamponade, clinical presentation, and treatment of this complication, as well as the disease as a whole. © 2022 Elsevier Inc.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Hand Hygiene is the cheapest, easiest and the single most effective measure to reduce cross-transmission of infection from one patient to another and from the healthcare workers to patients and vice versa. Multiple studies have shown a decrease in healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) rates after improvement in hand-hygiene compliance. Despite being the simplest procedure adherence to the hand hygiene recommendations remains well below 50% and healthcare workers repeatedly observed as being poor compliers. Objective: This study was planned to access the impact of covid-19 pandemic on the compliance of infection control practices at a tertiary health care centre in India. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was used to assess the impact of covid-19 pandemic on attitude, knowledge and on the compliance of hand hygiene practices at a tertiary health care centre in India. Results: A marked difference was observed in the availability of resources for hand hygiene i.e., 48 (96%) locations and the display of instructions for hand hygiene 50 (100%). A significant difference was also observed among the knowledge of the steps of hand hygiene {2019: 16(32%;2020: 33 (66%)} and of the moments of hand hygiene {2019: 27 (54%);2020;44 (88%)}. (ϰ2 = 79.2, df =1, p = 0). In 2020 (during COVID-19 pandemic) a significant increase in compliance was noted in most of the departments with highest compliance rate of ICUs (100%), followed by OTs (91.7%), paediatrics (95.8%) obstetrics and gynaecology (90.6%), surgery (86.5%), blood bank and laboratories (85.7%). However, unlike the other parameters, the compliance of hand hygiene during the previous year (2019) and during 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic, was poor with no significant difference in compliance of hand hygiene practices even during the pandemic. Of all the 5 moments suggested by WHO, maximum compliance (36% in 2019 and 60% in 2020 pandemic) was after body fluid exposure. Conclusions: Hand Hygiene should be made a national priority. Active involvement by healthcare administrators, national and local governments should be committed to make hand hygiene a mandate for patient safety. Accessibility to hand hygiene products like soap and water and/or alcohol-based hand rubs and written and verbal reminders to staff are essential to improve the compliance of hand hygiene. Thrust should also be given to hand hygiene as a research subject. © 2021, Arabian Gulf University. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can spread via a cough or respiratory droplets, contact with bodily fluids, or from contaminated surfaces. Aerosol-generating procedures, such as noninvasive ventilation, high-flow nasal cannula, bag-mask ventilation, and intubation are of particularly high risk. Standard precautions, including strict hand hygiene and appropriate use of mask are vital preventive measures. The objective of this study was to assess the adherence rate among the health-care workers (HCWs) to the judicial use of masks during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) at a tertiary health-care center in northern India. METHODS: Institution-based descriptive cross-sectional study was done to evaluate the proper utilization of masks and hand hygiene practices at the tertiary level of healt care in India. Data were collected and analyzed using Epicollect 5 app and the WHO hand hygiene audit tool. RESULTS: Among the 252 total opportunities for performing hand hygiene, only 72 (28.6%) moments were utilized. One hundred and eighty one (39.87%) HCWs applied the mask inappropriately, i.e., other than the one indicated. Overall adherence to guidelines for mask use was found in 195 (34.7%) HCWs, whereas nonadherence was among 366 (65.2%) HCWs. CONCLUSION: Proper hand hygiene and judicious use of mask are crucial for preventing the transmission of infection. However, the utilization of masks is under or mis-utilized for most of the time. We suggest didactic training and educational interventions to be followed for capacity building and motivating the HCWs for infection prevention practices.