Prevalence and clinical characteristics of depression and symptoms of anxiety in staff at a health institution in Medellin during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has represented an extraordinary challenge for health workers as they care for others while exposing themselves to contagion. Doctors, nurses, therapists and other non-care staff in clinics and hospitals are asked to be prepared to work in particularly complex and stressful situations, which makes them vulnerable to mental health problems. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of anxiety and depression symptoms in staff working at a health institution in Medellin, Colombia. METHODS: Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study, based on a survey designed for the investigation, which included two scales to screen depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: A total of 1,247 workers from the health institution were included. Of these, 14.6% reported symptoms of depression and 18.5% of clinically significant anxiety. A higher proportion of moderate to severe depression and anxiety symptoms was found in those working face to face. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety and depression symptoms are highly prevalent among staff at a health institution in Medellin, Colombia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the vital role of the health sector in times of pandemic, the development of mental health programmes that address the problems of this population should be considered a priority.

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Staff at a Health Institution in Medellin During the COVID-19 Pandemic. / Prevalencia y características clínicas de los síntomas depresivos y ansiosos de los trabajadores de una institución de salud en Medellín durante la pandemia por COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has represented an extraordinary challenge for health workers as they care for others while exposing themselves to contagion. Doctors, nurses, therapists and other non-care staff in clinics and hospitals are asked to be prepared to work in particularly complex and stressful situations, which makes them vulnerable to mental health problems. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of anxiety and depression symptoms in staff working at a health institution in Medellin, Colombia. METHODS: Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study, based on a survey designed for the investigation, which included two scales to screen depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: A total of 1,247 workers from the health institution were included. Of these, 14.6% reported symptoms of depression and 18.5% of clinically significant anxiety. A higher proportion of moderate to severe depression and anxiety symptoms was found in those working face to face. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety and depression symptoms are highly prevalent among staff at a health institution in Medellin, Colombia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the vital role of the health sector in times of pandemic, the development of mental health programmes that address the problems of this population should be considered a priority.

[Attacks on personnel assigned to the Primary Care Management of Tenerife and the SARS-CoV2 pandemic]. / Agresiones a personal adscrito a la Gerencia de Atención Primaria de Tenerife y pandemia por SARS-CoV2.

OBJECTIVE: To measure and characterize the aggressions suffered by health professionals in the field of primary care in Tenerife between 2018-2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2020-2021 (pandemic). Secondly, to analyze the degree of knowledge of the professionals in relation to the procedure for action against aggressions as well as the existing security measures and aspects that could be improved for their protection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study using a self-completed form electronically. It was disseminated through the different communication channels with health professionals, being available between March and April 2022. The quantitative variables were analyzed using measures of central tendency and dispersion, and the qualitative variables in percentage, also performing a bivariate analysis using the Chi square and Student's T. RESULTS: 72.50% of the participants have suffered some type of aggression in the workplace and they are more frequent causes in the metropolitan area of Tenerife, which are produced fundamentally by the patient and their relatives. These aggressions are mostly verbal and occur in greater quantity towards women with the category of nurse. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing is the category that suffers the most aggressions in primary care in Tenerife, regardless of the area of the island where they carry out their work.

Burnout syndrome increase during COVID-19 pandemic in attending Internal Medicine physicians.

INTRODUCTION: Burnout is a psychosocial syndrome caused by stressful situations in the workplace. It affects 30%-60% of medical professionals. The aim of this study is to carry out a comparative analysis of its frequency before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in Spanish internal medicine attending physicians. METHODS: Surveys that included the Maslach Burnout Inventory were sent via email and associated social networks to physicians who were members of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine in 2019 and 2020. RESULTS: A non-significant increase in burnout was observed (38.0% vs. 34.4%). However, an increase in low personal fulfilment was observed (66.4% vs. 33.6%; p = 0.002), a dimension associated with the prevention of psychiatric morbidity, in addition to two others: emotional fatigue and depersonalization, which can negatively affect patient care. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential to address this syndrome individually and institutionally.

Reactogenicidad e inmunogenicidad tras la inoculación de vacuna frente a SARS-CoV-2 en personal de diálisis

Introducción: Ser personal sanitario en activo supone un factor de riesgo elevado para contraer la infección por SARS-CoV-2. La realización de programas de vacunación es la mejor herramienta disponible para enfrentar este problema. En España, los profesionales sanitarios han sido vacunados de manera prioritaria. Objetivo: Evaluar, a través del recuento de anticuerpos en sangre, la inmunogenicidad de las vacunas frente a SARS-CoV-2 en personal de diálisis y los factores relacionados con ella. Material y Método: Estudio observacional descriptivo de corte trasversal, multicéntrico. Se realizó una determinación serológica del recuento de anticuerpos totales anti-proteína "S" en las 12 semanas posteriores a la vacunación. La recogida de datos se realizó a través de un cuestionario ad-hoc, online, anónimo y voluntario. Resultados: 167 participantes, todos vacunados con vacunas ARN. EL 15% había pasado previamente la infección. El 96,4% han desarrollado anticuerpos (media de 15.776±13.640 AU/ml);aquellos profesionales que han pasado previamente la infección tienen un número promedio de anticuerpos significativamente mayor que los que no (23.532 vs 14.381 AU/ml) (p=0,05). La presencia de síntomas como cansancio, cefalea, fiebre y mialgias se asocia, también, a una reactividad significativamente mayor (p=0,004). No existe relación significativa entre la reactividad y sexo, edad, índice de masa corporal (IMC) o lugar de trabajo. Conclusiones: La inmunogenicidad provocada por las vacunas ARN administradas a personal de diálisis ha sido casi total. Padecer efectos adversos post vacunación, como cansancio, cefaleas, fiebre, náuseas y dolores, y haber pasado previamente la infección se asocia con mayor reactividad, manifestada con el desarrollo de mayor número de anticuerpos.Alternate : Introduction: Being an active healthcare worker is a high-risk factor for contracting the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The implementation of vaccination programs is the best option available to solve this problem. In Spain, healthcare professionals have been vaccinated as a matter of priority. Objective: To assess, through blood antibody counts, the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV2 vaccines in dialysis personnel and related factors. Material and Method: Observational, cross-sectional and multicentric descriptive study. Results: 167 participants, all vaccinated with RNA vaccines. 15% have previously passed the infection. 96.4% have developed antibodies (mean of 15,776 +/-13,640). Those professionals who have previously passed the infection have a significantly higher average number of antibodies than those who have not (23,532 vs 14,381) (p=0.05). The presence of symptoms such as fatigue, headache, fever, and myalgia is also related with a significantly greater reactivity (p=0.004). There is no significant relationship between reactivity and sex, age, BMI, or workplace. Conclusions: Immunogenicity caused by RNA vaccines administered to dialysis personnel has been almost complete. Suffering post-vaccination adverse effects such as fatigue, headaches, fever, nausea, pain, and having previously passed the infection is related to a greater reactivity, manifested by the development of an increased number of antibodies.

Prevention of COVID-19 aerosol exposure during orotracheal intubation / Prevenção da exposição ao aerossol COVID-19 durante a intubação orotraqueal / Prevención de la exposición a aerosoles de COVID-19 durante la intubación orotraqueal

Background and objectives: during orotracheal intubation (OTI), it occurs the exposure to COVID-19 aerosols and consequent contamination of the professionals involved, observing the need to apply preventive measures. The objective is to know, in the scientific literature, which are the main preventive measures for health professionals to aerosols generated during OTI of patients suspected or confirmed for COVID-19. Contents: this is an integrative review, with search in the LILACS, SciELO, BDENF, MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane Wiley databases. Primary articles, with full text in Portuguese, Spanish and English, which contemplated the research objective, were selected. Of the 335 articles found, 22 were selected according to the inclusion criteria. In 18 (82%) of articles, they highlighted the use of barrier methods when performing the intubation procedure, such as acrylic box and plastic tarpaulin. In other studies (3; 14%), it was observed the need to include qualified intubation teams in hospital institutions to reduce the contamination of professionals, in addition to the application of checklists that guide the procedure. A single article brought the use of an orthopedic protective cover adapted to protect the intubator. Conclusion: the measures are defended to reduce exposure to aerosols and allow the safety of health professionals. The use of an intubation box must be used with caution, weighing the risks and benefits against the possibility of aerosolization during its use in orotracheal intubation.(AU)

Justificativa e objetivos: durante a intubação orotraqueal (IOT), ocorre a exposição a aerossóis de COVID-19 e consequente contaminação dos profissionais envolvidos, observando a necessidade de aplicação de medidas preventivas. O objetivo é conhecer, na literatura científica, quais são as principais medidas preventivas dos profissionais de saúde aos aerossóis gerados durante a IOT de pacientes suspeitos ou confirmados para COVID-19. Conteúdo: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa, com busca nas bases de dados LILACS, SciELO, BDENF, MEDLINE, PubMed e Cochrane Wiley. Foram selecionados artigos primários, com texto completo em português, espanhol e inglês, que contemplassem o objetivo da pesquisa. Dos 335 artigos encontrados, 22 foram selecionados de acordo com os critérios de inclusão. Em 18 (82%) dos artigos, destacaram o uso de métodos de barreira na realização do procedimento de intubação, como caixa de acrílico e lona plástica. Em outros estudos (3; 14%), observou-se a necessidade de incluir equipes de intubação qualificadas nas instituições hospitalares para reduzir a contaminação dos profissionais, além da aplicação de checklists que orientam o procedimento. Um único artigo trouxe o uso de uma capa protetora ortopédica adaptada para proteger o intubador. Conclusão: defendem-se as medidas para reduzir a exposição aos aerossóis e permitir a segurança dos profissionais de saúde. O uso da caixa de intubação deve ser feito com cautela, ponderando os riscos e benefícios em relação à possibilidade de aerossolização durante seu uso na intubação orotraqueal.(AU)

Justificación y objetivos: durante la intubación orotraqueal (OTI), ocurre la exposición a los aerosoles de COVID-19 y la consecuente contaminación de los profesionales involucrados, observándose la necesidad de aplicar medidas preventivas. El objetivo es conocer, en la literatura científica, cuáles son las principales medidas preventivas de los profesionales de la salud ante los aerosoles generados durante las IOT de pacientes sospechosos o confirmados de COVID-19. Contenido: se trata de una revisión integradora, con búsqueda en las bases de datos LILACS, SciELO, BDENF, MEDLINE, PubMed y Cochrane Wiley. Fueron seleccionados artículos primarios, con texto completo en portugués, español e inglés, que contemplaran el objetivo de la investigación. De los 335 artículos encontrados, 22 fueron seleccionados según los criterios de inclusión. En 18 (82%) de los artículos, destacaron el uso de métodos de barrera al realizar el procedimiento de intubación, como caja de acrílico y lona plástica. En otros estudios (3; 14%), se observó la necesidad de incluir equipos de intubación calificados en las instituciones hospitalarias para reducir la contaminación de los profesionales, además de la aplicación de listas de verificación que orientan el procedimiento. Un solo artículo trajo el uso de una cubierta protectora ortopédica adaptada para proteger al intubador. Conclusión: se defienden las medidas para reducir la exposición a los aerosoles y permitir la seguridad de los profesionales de la salud. El uso de una caja de intubación debe hacerse con precaución, sopesando los riesgos y beneficios frente a la posibilidad de aerosolización durante su uso en la intubación orotraqueal.(AU)

[Effectiveness of BNT162b2 vaccine to preventing COVID-19 in healthcare personnel]. / Efectividad de la vacuna BNT162b2 para prevenir la COVID-19 en personal sanitario.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 (BNT162b2) in healthcare personnel of a health department. METHOD: Test-negative case̶control study. Healthcare personnel with suspected COVID-19 and healthcare personnel close contacts of COVID-19 cases were included between January 27th and June 6th, 2021. They were PCR tested for SARS-CoV-2; those with positive PCR were considered cases and those with negative PCR were considered controls. The adjusted vaccine effectiveness (aVE) to prevent COVID-19 cases and their 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated using the formula VE=(1-odds ratio)×100. RESULTS: 624 healthcare personnel were included, of which 43 (6.9%) were considered cases and 581 (93.8%) controls. The aVE of the complete regimen was 96.3% (95%CI: 82.5̶99.2). The aVE of the incomplete pattern was 68.0% (95%CI: 30.0̶85.4). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of the complete pattern of BNT162b2 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is effective for the prevention of cases of COVID-19 in healthcare personnel.

Mental health assessment of Spanish frontline healthcare workers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Covid-19 pandemic continues challenging health systems globally, exposing healthcare workers to constant physical and psychological stressors. To date, several studies have already shown the catastrophic impact on the mental health of medical personnel during the early period of the pandemic. Nevertheless, literature evidences the dearth of works that evaluate the effect over time, understanding the pandemic as a sustained extreme stressor. The present study examines the effect of the pandemic on the mental health of Covid-19 frontline healthcare workers at six months follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 141 frontline healthcare workers from two tertiary hospitals were recruited between July and November 2020. Healthcare workers were evaluated psychologically at baseline and six months follow-up (January to May 2021) using psychometric tests for the assessment of acute stress (VASS, PSS-10, PCL-5), anxiety (STAI) and depression (PHQ-2) RESULTS: Overall, there was a general worsening of the mental health between the two psychological assessments, especially regarding depression and predisposition to perceiving the situations as a threat. Nurses and nurse aides showed poorer mental health while physicians improved over time. Reduced working hours and higher physical exercise resulted in better mental health among healthcare workers. Women and nursing staff were the most affected by psychological distress at baseline and six months follow-up. CONCLUSION: Reduced working hours, adequate resting periods, physical exercise, and efficient intervention strategies are of utmost importance in preventing, controlling, and reducing psychological distress among healthcare workers when coping with critical scenarios such as the current pandemic.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 on a sample of Spanish health professionals.

INTRODUCTION: After the outbreak of the COVID-19 was considered a global pandemic in March 2020, the state of alarm was declared in Spain. In this situation, health professionals are experiencing high levels of stress due to the overload of work the pandemic is generating and the conditions in which they are working. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors that can destabilize the mental health of these professionals in our context. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample was composed of 421 health professionals. The data were gathered by an online questionnaire sent to them by e-mail. The DASS-21 was used to assess anxiety, stress and depression, and the EAI to measure sleep difficulties. In addition, other descriptive variables that could be related to psychological symptomatology were collected from the sample. RESULTS: The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic has generated symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia among health workers, with higher levels among women and older professionals. Some factors such as having been in contact with the virus or fear at work, triggered greater symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: In this critical situation, professionals are in the front line and therefore, are directly exposed to certain risks and stressors. This contributes to the development of diverse psychological symptoms. Consequently, it is recommended to offer them psychological help in order to reduce the emotional impact of the COVID-19, and thus, to ensure not only the mental health of our health professionals, but also the adequate care they provide.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 on a sample of Spanish health professionals. / Impacto psicológico de la COVID-19 en una muestra de profesionales sanitarios españoles.

INTRODUCTION: After the outbreak of the COVID-19 was considered a global pandemic in March 2020, the state of alarm was declared in Spain. In this situation, health professionals are experiencing high levels of stress due to the overload of work the pandemic is generating and the conditions in which they are working. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors that can destabilize the mental health of these professionals in our context. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample was composed of 421 health professionals. The data were gathered by an online questionnaire sent to them by e-mail. The DASS-21 was used to assess anxiety, stress and depression, and the EAI to measure sleep difficulties. In addition, other descriptive variables that could be related to psychological symptomatology were collected from the sample. RESULTS: The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic has generated symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia among health workers, with higher levels among women and older professionals. Some factors such as having been in contact with the virus or fear at work, triggered greater symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: In this critical situation, professionals are in the front line and therefore, are directly exposed to certain risks and stressors. This contributes to the development of diverse psychological symptoms. Consequently, it is recommended to offer them psychological help in order to reduce the emotional impact of the COVID-19, and thus, to ensure not only the mental health of our health professionals, but also the adequate care they provide.

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the activity and professionals of a General Surgery and Digestive Surgery Service in a tertiary hospital. / Impacto de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 sobre la actividad y profesionales de un Servicio de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo en un hospital terciario.

INTRODUCTION: The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection has led to a radical reorganization of healthcare resources. Surgical Departments need to adapt to this change. METHODS: We performed a prospective descriptive observational study of the incidence of COVID-19 in patients and surgeons of a General Surgical Department in a high prevalence area, between the 1st and 31st of March 2020. RESULTS: Patients: The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in elective surgery patients was 7% (mean age 59.5 years). All survived. Of 36 patients who underwent emergency surgery, two of them were SARS-CoV-2 positive and one was clinically highly suspicious of COVID-19 (11.1%). All three patients died of respiratory failure (mean age 81 years). Surgeons: There were a total of 12 confirmed SARS-CoV-2+ cases among the surgical department staff (24.4%) (8 out of 34 consultants and 4 out of 15 residents). Healthcare activity: The average number of daily emergency surgical interventions declined from 3.6 in February to 1.16 in March. 42% of the patients who underwent emergency surgery had peritonitis upon presentation. CONCLUSIONS: The fast pace of COVID-19 pandemia should alert surgical departments of the need of adopting early measures to ensure the safety of patients and staff.