Prevalencia y factores asociados a infección por SARS-CoV-2 en adultos mayores institucionalizados

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of infection and the factors associated with COVID-19 in a geriatric institution in Cali, Colombia. This is an observational, cross-sectional study in institutionalized older adults after a COVID-19 outbreak. In a population of 252 adults who were screened for SARS-CoV-2. The prevalence of COVID-19 infection and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, symptoms, and geriatric clinimetry were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate regression models with prevalence ratios. Of this population, 84 (33.3%) were infected. A higher prevalence was found in adults ≥80 years (PR = 1.69 95% CI 1.16-2.47), with malnutrition (MNA <17) (PR = 1.44 95% CI 1.01-2.04 ) and with a Barthel index <60 (PR = 1.57 95% CI 1.09-2.25). Those infected presented mostly with fever (PR = 2.08 95% CI 1.39-3.09) and cough (PR = 1.61 95% CI 1.10-2.34). In conclusion, the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in institutionalized older adults is related to advanced age, malnutrition, and functional dependence.Alternate :El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de infección y los factores asociados con la COVID-19 en una institución geriátrica de Cali, Colombia. Se trata de un estudio observacional de corte transversal en adultos mayores institucionalizados durante un brote de COVID-19. En una población de 252 adultos a los cuales se les realizó tamización mediante pruebas para detección de SARS-CoV-2, se analizó la prevalencia de la infección por la COVID-19 y su relación con las características sociodemográficas, comorbilidades, síntomas y clinimetría geriátrica mediante modelos de regresión bivariados con razones de prevalencias. De esta población, 84 (33,3%) se infectaron. Se encontró mayor prevalencia de la enfermedad en adultos ≥80 años (RP= 1,69 IC 95% 1,16-2,47), con malnutrición (MNA<17) (RP= 1,44 IC 95% 1,01-2,04) y con un índice de Barthel <60 (RP= 1,57 IC 95% 1,09-2,25). Los infectados se presentaron en su mayoría con fiebre (RP= 2,08 IC 95% 1,39-3,09) y tos (RP= 1,61 IC 95% 1,10-2,34). En conclusión, la prevalencia de infección por COVID-19 en el adulto mayor institucionalizado se relaciona con edad avanzada, malnutrición y dependencia funcional.

Strategies for COVID-19 transmission control and mitigation in a psychiatric hospital in Mexico.

In the context of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic, one of the great challenges is to generate effective strategies for the control of nosocomial infections, specifically in psychiatric hospitals with populations considered at risk (older adults or individuals with comorbidities). This article describes the strategies for prevention, containment and treatment of infection transmission implemented during a COVID-19 outbreak that occurred in July 2020 in a psychiatric hospital of the State of Mexico. The population was comprised by women with prolonged hospital stay (mean = 24 years), mostly geriatric (mean = 64 years), with various psychiatric disorders and comorbidities. In total, 19 COVID-19-positive cases were diagnosed, out of which thirteen had mild symptoms and six were asymptomatic. There were no alterations in mental state, psychiatric symptoms or underlying diseases. Algorithms were developed for the management and treatment of suspected/confirmed COVID-19 cases. Finally, the generation of comprehensive strategies, quick and timely actions, as well as adequate management of human resources favoring interdisciplinary work, were deemed to have contributed to contain and mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak, which constitutes a precedent in the psychiatric field with institutionalized patients.

En el contexto de la emergente pandemia de COVID-19, uno de los grandes desafíos es generar estrategias eficaces de control de infecciones nosocomiales, específicamente en hospitales psiquiátricos con población considerada de riesgo (adultos mayores o con comorbilidades). En el presente artículo se describen las estrategias de prevención, contención y tratamiento de contagio, a partir de un brote de COVID-19 ocurrido en julio de 2020 en un hospital psiquiátrico del Estado de México. La población estuvo constituida por mujeres con estancia hospitalaria prolongada (media = 24 años), en su mayoría geriátricas (media = 64 años), con trastornos psiquiátricos diversos y comorbilidades. En total se diagnosticaron 19 casos positivos de COVID-19, de los cuales 13 cursaron con sintomatología leve y seis resultaron asintomáticos. No se presentaron alteraciones en el estado mental, en la sintomatología psiquiátrica ni en las enfermedades de base. Se realizaron algoritmos para el manejo y tratamiento de los casos sospechosos o confirmados de COVID-19. Finalmente, se consideró que la generación de estrategias integrales, acciones rápidas y oportunas, así como una adecuada gestión de recursos humanos favorecedora del trabajo interdisciplinario contribuyeron a contener y mitigar el brote de COVID-19, constituyéndose en un precedente en el ámbito psiquiátrico con pacientes institucionalizadas.

[Prevention of infections related to health care in primary care. Lessons from the pandemic]. / Prevención de infecciones relacionadas con la asistencia sanitaria en atención primaria. Lecciones de la pandemia.

The health system failed to guarantee the safety of both professionals and citizens who came to the centers at the beginning of the pandemic. The lack of materials and guidelines for the prevention of infections caused in Spain the worst catastrophe in the history of patient safety and occupational health in healthcare. It also happened in other countries but Spain had the highest rates of infected health workers in the world. It was a largely avoidable event. We review what measures have been taken to prevent infections in primary care centers, such as hand hygiene, masks and personal protection material or the maintenance of social distance, among others. We update the recommendations and raise the perspectives in a situation that requires flexibility and adaptability to maintain quality and safe care.

Estimation of the number of preventable COVID-19 deaths in relation to the restrictive measures adopted in Europe.

INTRODUCTION: In December 2019, a new coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China, which has become a global health problem. OBJECTIVES: To estimate how many daily COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 population could have been avoided if each one of five restrictive measures had been implemented at the time the first case was diagnosed, and to estimate a multiple linear regression model predictive of the number of deaths per 100,000 population. METHODS: A simple linear regression was performed between the days elapsed since the first COVID-19 diagnosed case, implementation of each one of the five restrictive measures carried out by the 39 European studied countries, the number of hospital beds per 1,000 population (independent variables) and the number of COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 population. RESULTS: For each day elapsed from the first COVID-19 reported case to the adoption of restrictive measures, between 0.611 (p = 0.004) and 1.863 (p = 0.000) patients died per 100,000 population, depending on the implemented measure. CONCLUSIONS: Restrictive measures and social distancing, as well as promptness of their implementation, are necessary for achieving a decrease in COVID-19 infections and mortality.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En diciembre de 2019 surgió un nuevo coronavirus en Wuhan, China, que se ha convertido en un problema de salud global. OBJETIVO: Estimar cuántos fallecimientos diarios atribuibles a COVID-19 por cada 100 000 habitantes se podrían haber evitado si se hubiese llevado a cabo cada una de las cinco medidas restrictivas al momento del diagnóstico del primer caso, así como estimar un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple predictivo del número de fallecimientos por cada 100 000 habitantes. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un modelo de regresión lineal simple entre los días transcurridos desde el primer caso diagnosticado de COVID-19, la implantación de cada una de las cinco medidas llevadas a cabo por los 39 países europeos estudiados, el número de camas hospitalarias por 1000 habitantes (variables independientes) y el número de fallecimientos por COVID-19 por 100 000 habitantes. RESULTADOS: Por cada día transcurrido desde el primer caso notificado de COVID-19 hasta la adopción de las medidas restrictivas, fallecieron entre 0.611 (p = 0.004) y 1.863 (p = 0.000) pacientes por cada 100 000 habitantes, dependiendo de la medida implementada. CONCLUSIONES: Las medidas restrictivas y el distanciamiento social, así como la celeridad de su instauración, son necesarios para lograr el descenso del número de contagios de COVID-19 y su mortalidad.

Sero-epidemiological study of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare personnel in a healthcare department.

OBJECTIVE: Estimate IgG antibody prevalence against SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare personnel (HCP) of a healthcare department (HD). METHOD: Prevalence study. The presence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was determined in HCP of the HD. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) tests were used. Field work took place from April 24, 2020 to May 8, 2020. The age, sex, occupation (physician, nurse, etc.) and the work area (Primary Care, Emergency Room, etc.) were gathered. The IgG antibody prevalence was then calculated with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). To study the association between HCP characteristics and the presence IgG the Chi Square test was used, and to study the magnitude of association, the Odds Ratio (95% CI) was calculated. RESULTS: Of the 4813 HCP in the HD, 4179 (87,1%) participated. Of these, 73,3% (3065) were women and 26,7% (1114) men. The global prevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 6,6% (95% CI: 5,8-7,3). There were statistically significant differences depending on the occupation, from 8,7% (95% CI: 6,9-10,6) on medics down to 3,2% (95% CI: 1,0-8,0) on personnel not associated with health care. The other characteristics did not associate significantly to antibody presence against SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION: The SARS-CoV-2 infection frequency in HCP is similar to the estimated in the general population for big cities in Spain. This highlights the effectiveness of the infection control and prevention programme in this healthcare department targeted at healthcare personnel.

[Insight on how to assess and improve the response to the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Reflexiones sobre cómo evaluar y mejorar la respuesta a la pandemia de COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Spain particularly hard, despite being a country with a developed economy and being praised for the robustness of its national health system. In order to understand what happened and to identify how to improve the response, we believe that an independent multi-disciplinary evaluation of the health, political and socio-economic spheres is essential. In this piece we propose objectives, principles, methodology and dimensions to be evaluated, as well as outlining the type of results and conclusions expected. Inspired by the requirements formulated by the WHO Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response and by experiences in other countries, we detail the multidimensional aspects to be evaluated. The goal is to understand key aspects in the studied areas and their scope for improvement in terms of preparedness, governance, regulatory framework, national health system structures (primary care, hospital, and public health), education sector, social protection schemes, minimization of economic impact, and labour framework and reforms for a more resilient society. We seek to ensure that this exercise serves not only at present, but also that in the future we are better prepared and more agile in terms of our ability to recover from any pandemic threats that may arise.

[Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in close contacs. Telephone follow-up in Primary Care]. / Incidencia de infección por SARS-CoV-2 en contactos estrechos. Seguimiento telefónico en Atención Primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of infection in close contacts with patiens with SARS-CoV-2 infection using a telephone monitoring protocol after the recommendation of isolation and quarantine at home. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cohort study, with 124 patients older than 15 years, included consecutively, asymptomatic at the time of the consultation, who had had close contact (<2 meters) with confirmed or possible cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The intervention consisted of 2 weeks of home isolation and quarantine, contacting by phone on days, 2, 4, 7 and 14 after the contact. The event of interest was the appereance of symptoms compatible with SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS: The average age was 45.1 years (55.6% women); 328 phone calls were made (average 2.6 calls for patient). After 2 weeks of follow-up, 6 patients developed symptoms, confirming serologically or by PCR in 3 of them (2.4%, CI 95%: 0.8-6.9). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in close contacts is low 2 weeks after home isolation and quarantine at home.

[Control of SARS-CoV-2 in prisons]. / El control de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en prisiones.

OBJECTIVE: Review of control and management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in penitentiary institutions in Spain and other countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review a comprehensive literature search in Global Health, SCOPUS, Medline and EMBASE was performed using relevant keywords and medical descriptors (MeSH) related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and prisons. National and international recommendations and guides were examined as well as documents published by some countries. RESULTS: The key points of the guides are discussed. The vast majority of recommendations coincide with respect to the measures and procedures that should be used, except for some discrepancy regarding the population screening. Until now, most industrialized countries (except the US and some specific scenarios) have controlled successfully the epidemic in prisons. Less data is found as regards to socioeconomically more disadvantaged countries. CONCLUSIONS: Prisons are prone to a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission due to their space limitations and sometimes poor environmental and hygienic conditions. The recommendations of the control and management of SARS-CoV-2 infection must be the same as those outside the prison, but must be adapted to the peculiarities of the prison. The recommendations must be issued by the health administration in coordination with the prison administration. Finally, must be abide by the Mandela Rules or by the Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of United Nations prisoners.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care workers in a tertiary care hospital emergency department. / Impacto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en los trabajadores sanitarios del servicio de urgencias de un hospital terciario.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention and control program for health care workers in a tertiary care hospital emergency department (ED). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recorded the number of confirmed COVID-19 workers in the ED on March 2, 2020, and April 12, 2020. Workers were screened if they had symptoms or were traced as contacts. Variables recorded were age, sex, staff position, work area, and reason for contact. We used the χ2 test to compare ED workers to workers in other areas of the health care system. RESULTS: Of the 3900 health care workers (279 in the ED), 1744 cases (92 in the ED) were included for analysis. A total of 736 workers (52 in the ED) had symptoms, and 151 had positive test results (9 from the ED). Two of the infections in the ED workers (22.2%) were attributed to patient contact and 7 (77.8%) to nonwork-related contact either in the workplace or in the community. The prevalence of COVID-19 among ED workers was 3.2% (9/279). The prevalence among other health system workers was 3.9% (142/3621). The differences in COVID-19 prevalence between the 2 groups was not significant. Nor was there a significant difference in the reasons for contact with the virus between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Based on the prevalence of COVID-19 among ED workers and other health care workers, the reasons for risk of contact with the virus, and the time frame for gathering the data, we conclude that the prevention and control measures in the ED have been effective.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la efectividad de un programa de prevención y control de infecciones (PCI) por COVID-19 en los trabajadores sanitarios (TS) del servicio de urgencias de un hospital terciario. METODO: Se recogió el número de casos confirmados de COVID-19 en TS del 2 de marzo al 12 de abril de 2020. Los TS fueron evaluados si presentaban síntomas o en el marco de estudios de contactos. Se recogió: edad, sexo, estamento, área trabajo y motivo contacto. Se comparó si existían diferencias entre los TS del SU y los del resto del Departamento de Salud (DS). RESULTADOS: De los 3.900 TS del DS (279 adscritos al SU), se evaluaron 1.744 TS (92 del SU). Presentaron síntomas 736 (52 del SU); 151 fueron confirmados COVID-19 (9 del SU). Dos casos del SU (22,2%) se atribuyeron a la asistencia sanitaria, y 7 (77,8%) a relaciones sociales en el lugar de trabajo o fuera de este. La prevalencia de TS con COVID-19 en el SU fue de un 3,2% (9/279), y en el resto de TS del 3,9% (142/3621). Entre los TS del SU y del resto del DS no hubo diferencias significativas en la prevalencia de afectados, ni entre los motivos de contacto. CONCLUSIONES: Teniendo en cuenta la prevalencia de TS con COVID-19 del SU respecto al resto del DS, el motivo del contacto de riesgo y su distribución en el tiempo, se puede considerar que el PCI orientado al SU fue efectivo.

Factors related to SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare professionals in Spain. The SANICOVI project. / Factores relacionados con el contagio por SARS-CoV-2 en profesionales de la salud en España. Proyecto SANICOVI.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the factors related to the situation of SARS-CoV-2 transmission identified by health professionals in Spain and to propose prevention strategies. METHOD: Cross-sectional descriptive study. The population were healthcare professionals working in institutions caring for COVID-19 patients and also confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. A questionnaire with sociodemographic, occupational and epidemiological variables was used. Descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed according to the nature of the variables. RESULTS: A total of 2.230 questionnaires were analysed on a potential population of 41,239 (5.47%). The diagnosis was made based on a suspicious case (63.4%) and a probable case (12.3%). A study of contacts was carried out at 50.3%. The perception about the availability of protective measures as «always/frequently¼ were: FPP1 mask 57.3%, gloves 89.5%, soap 95% and hydroalcoholic solution 91.5%. In PPE, FPP2, FPP3 mask, goggles and disposable gowns at around 50%. The availability of protective measures, by field of work, presented significant differences. The average number of patients attended related to the performance of hand hygiene at moment4 and the perception of performing it correctly at moments4 and5. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary data are presented, with variability in the response rate by Autonomous Region. Healthcare professionals infected by SARS-CoV-2 identified the management of the chain of infection transmission, the use and adequacy of protective equipment, as well as the effectiveness of handwashing as factors related to the transmission of the virus among professionals.

Nursing before COVID-19, a key point for the prevention, control and mitigation of the pandemic.

The SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 outbreak originated in China has reached Mexico. However, the scientific community, including nursing, has generated vertiginous evidence that can help make decisions in the care of the affected population. The purpose of this study is to describe the nursing experience before COVID-19 as a key point for the prevention, control and mitigation of the pandemic. Based on the recommendations issued by the Ministry of Health, the clinical evidence and the resources available in the health institutions, the disease prevention measures have been initiated and maintained both in the community and in the health institutions. The reconversion of hospitals and care protocols adapted to our context are trying to strengthen the control and mitigation of the disease.

El brote de SARS-CoV-2 o COVID-19 originado en China ha alcanzado a México; no obstante, la comunidad científica, entre ellas enfermería ha generado de forma vertiginosa evidencia que puede ayudar a tomar decisiones en la atención de la población afectada. El presente documento tiene la finalidad de describir la experiencia de enfermería ante el COVID-19 como un punto clave para la prevención, control y mitigación de la pandemia. Con base en las recomendaciones emitidas por la Secretaría de Salud, la evidencia clínica y los recursos disponibles en las instituciones de salud se ha iniciado y mantenido las medidas de prevención de la enfermedad tanto en la comunidad como en las instituciones de salud. La reconversión de los hospitales y los protocolos de atención adaptados a nuestro contexto están tratando de fortalecer el control y mitigación de la enfermedad.