Safe and effective re-use policy for high-efficiency filtering facepiece respirators (FFRS): Experience of one hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

The high transmissibility rate of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 facilitated an exponential growth in the number of infections, posing a tremendous threat to healthcare systems across the world. The use of Non-oil 95% efficiency (N95) respirators demonstrated to reduce the risk of virus transmission. The escalated demand in N95 respirators during 2020 generated a massive shortage worldwide which resulted in serious implications, one being an increase in healthcare providers' costs. In response, various optimization strategies were implemented. This study aimed to assess the implementation of a safe and effective re-use policy for high-efficiency filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) in a high-complexity university hospital in 2020. Associated costs were estimated through a descriptive accounting analysis of resources saved. Acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility rates were 80.5%, 78.8%, and 83.6%, respectively. With an implementation cost of approximately 10,000 USD, there was a 56.1% reduction in FFRs consumption, compared with a non-policy scenario, with savings exceeding 500,000 USD in 2020. In a pandemic scenario where it is vital to spare resources, a FFRs rational use policy demonstrated to be a highly cost-efficient alternative in order to save resources without increasing contagion risk among healthcare workers.

COVID-19 response in Colombia: Hits and misses.

Introduction: Colombia has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, being ranked 22nd among 187 countries in deaths per 100,000 people by February 2022. The country has also experienced the worst economic recession in its history, with real GDP contracting 7% in 2020. This paper describes Colombia's pre-pandemic context and the overall effect of the pandemic on health and economic indicators and examines the government's response to COVID-19. Methods: Descriptive chronologic policy analysis on the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia and the measures and interventions implemented, using publicly available secondary data from Colombia's official agencies and international sources published from March 2020 to February 2022. Results: The Colombian healthcare system increased its capacity in terms of infrastructure and human resources (from 8.6 ICU beds per 100,000 pre-pandemic to 21.9 in 2020, from 1.7 to 1.3 per 1000 doctors and nurses, respectively in 2019 to 1.8 and 1.5 per 1000 in 2020). The government commenced the National Vaccination Strategy on February 17, 2021, despite a slow start it managed to fully vaccinate 65.1% of its population, including Venezuelan immigrants, by February 2022. Conclusions: Colombia's response to the pandemic combines hits and misses. The country organized an early and robust response; increased its healthcare system capacity; designed a risk-based, equitable, and inclusive national vaccination strategy; and introduced a flexible and responsive vaccine rollout. However, the government chose the wrong timing for reform, implemented a long and unpredictable lockdown, was late to procure COVID-19 vaccines and has not appropriately tackled vaccine hesitancy. Public interest summary: Colombia has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 138,000 COVID-19 deaths and over 6 million cases by the end of February 2022. According to number of deaths per 100,000 people, Colombia ranks 22nd in the world, among 187 countries. The country has also experienced the worst economic recession in its history. The Colombian healthcare system has been able to cope with a high number of COVID-19 cases without collapsing, but some public health indicators deteriorated. Colombia's response to the pandemic combines hits and misses. The country organized an early and robust response; increased its healthcare system capacity; designed a risk-based, equitable, and inclusive national vaccination strategy; and introduced a flexible and responsive vaccine rollout. As of February 2022, Colombia has fully vaccinated 65.1% of its population. However, the government chose the wrong timing for a tax reform, implemented a long and unpredictable lockdown, was late to procure COVID-19 vaccines and has not appropriately tackled vaccine hesitancy, which certainly contributed to its undesirable position in the mortality world raking.