Experience of ambulance drivers on transfer of suspected or confirmed patients for COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To unveil the experience of ambulance drivers regarding the transfer of suspected or confirmed patients for COVID-19. METHOD: Exploratory study with a qualitative approach conducted in October 2021 with 18 drivers from the Northwestern Mesoregion of the State of Ceará-Brazil. The individual interviews occurred virtually, via Google Meet®, and for data processing the IRAMUTEQ® software was used. RESULTS: Six classes were obtained: Feelings experienced during transfers; Concern about contamination of the work team and family members; Therapeutic itinerary, patients' clinical status and increase in the number of transfers; Disinfection of ambulances between transfers of patients with suspected and/or diagnosed COVID-19; Gowning for patient transfers and Psychospiritual aspects of drivers during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: The experience was marked by challenges in adapting to the new routine and procedures during transfers. It was evidenced feelings of fear, insecurity, tension and anguish in the worker's reports.

Cloth face masks to prevent Covid-19 and other respiratory infections

Objective to analyze scientific evidence on the efficacy of cloth masks in preventing COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. Method integrative literature review based on the following guiding question: What is the efficacy of cloth face masks in absorbing particles that cause respiratory infection? The search was conducted in eight electronic databases, without any restriction in terms of language or period. Results low coverage cloth face masks made of 100% cotton, scarf, pillowcase, antimicrobial pillowcase, silk, linen, tea towel, or vacuum bag, present marginal/reasonable protection against particles while high coverage cloth masks provide high protection. Conclusion cloth face masks are a preventive measure with moderate efficacy in preventing the dissemination of respiratory infections caused by particles with the same size or smaller than those of SARS-CoV-2. The type of fabric used, number of layers and frequency of washings influence the efficacy of the barrier against droplets. Objetivo analizar las evidencias científicas sobre la eficacia de las máscaras de tejido para la prevención de COVID-19 y otras infecciones respiratorias. Método revisión integradora de la literatura a partir de la pregunta orientadora: ¿qué eficacia tienen las máscaras de tejido en la absorción de partículas que causan infección respiratoria? La búsqueda fue llevada a cabo en ocho bases de datos electrónicas, sin restricciones de tiempo e idioma. Resultados las máscaras de tejido de baja cobertura, 100% algodón, bufanda, funda, funda antimicrobiana, lino, seda, toalla de té y bolsa de aspiradora demuestran una protección marginal/razonable en la absorción de partículas, mientras que las máscaras de tejido de alta cobertura tienen una protección elevada. Conclusión las máscaras de tejido representan una medida preventiva de eficacia moderada en la propagación de infecciones respiratorias causadas por partículas de tamaño igual o menor al SARS-CoV-2. La eficacia de la barrera contra las gotitas se ve influida principalmente por el tipo de tejido, la cantidad de capas y la frecuencia de lavado. Objetivo analisar as evidências científicas sobre a eficácia de máscaras de tecido para a prevenção da COVID-19 e outras infecções respiratórias. Método revisão integrativa da literatura a partir da questão norteadora: "Qual a eficácia das máscaras de tecido na absorção de partículas causadoras de infecção respiratória?". A busca ocorreu em oito bases de dados eletrônicas sem restrição de tempo e idioma. Resultados as máscaras de tecido de baixa cobertura, 100% algodão, cachecol, fronha, fronha antimicrobiana, linho, seda, toalha de chá e saco de aspirador apresentam proteção marginal/razoável na absorção de partículas, enquanto as máscaras de tecido com alta cobertura têm elevada proteção. Conclusão as máscaras de tecido representam medida preventiva com eficácia moderada na disseminação de infecções respiratórias ocasionadas por partículas de tamanho igual e/ou menor ao SARS-CoV-2. A eficácia da barreira contra as gotículas é influenciada, principalmente, pelo tipo de tecido, quantidade de camadas e frequência de lavagens.

Cloth face masks to prevent Covid-19 and other respiratory infections.

Objective to analyze scientific evidence on the efficacy of cloth masks in preventing COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. Method integrative literature review based on the following guiding question: What is the efficacy of cloth face masks in absorbing particles that cause respiratory infection? The search was conducted in eight electronic databases, without any restriction in terms of language or period. Results low coverage cloth face masks made of 100% cotton, scarf, pillowcase, antimicrobial pillowcase, silk, linen, tea towel, or vacuum bag, present marginal/reasonable protection against particles while high coverage cloth masks provide high protection. Conclusion cloth face masks are a preventive measure with moderate efficacy in preventing the dissemination of respiratory infections caused by particles with the same size or smaller than those of SARS-CoV-2. The type of fabric used, number of layers and frequency of washings influence the efficacy of the barrier against droplets.

Práticas seguras no manejo de vias aéreas de pacientes com Covid-19: revisão integrativa

Introduçao: A pandemia causada pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2 no inicio de 2020 alterou práticas dos profissionais de saúde com a finalidade em atenuar os riscos de contaminaçâo dos trabalhadores da linha de frente de assistencia a saúde, principalmente, atividades relacionadas ao manejo de vias aéreas de pacientes com Covid-19. Objetivo: identificar as práticas necessárias para garantir a segurança dos profissionais de saúde no manejo de vias aéreas de pacientes suspeitos ou diagnosticados com Covid-19. Materiais e métodos: revisâo integrativa realizada em dez bases de dados relevantes na área da saúde, sendo a amostra composta por 17 pesquisas. As práticas identificadas foram elencadas conforme os quatro procedimentos pontuados pela literatura: intubaçâo endotraqueal, extubaçâo, broncoscopia e traqueostomia. Resultados: as principais recomendaçöes mencionadas foram: intubaçâo endotraqueal: realizada por equipe experiente, treinada, mínima e profissionais de grupos de risco para Covid-19 nâo devem fazer parte desta equipe;extubaçâo: nâo utilizar cateter nasal de alto fluxo após o procedimento;broncoscopia: realizar em sala isolada e com pressâo negativa;traqueostomia: poderá ser considerada precocemente, mas o risco-beneficio deve ser avaliado. Conclusäo: as práticas identificadas poderâo direcionar o gerenciamento de vias aéreas e nortear a construçâo de tecnologías assistenciais, educacionais ou gerenciais.Alternate :Introduction:The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in early 2020 changed the practices of health professionals in order to mitigate the risks of contamination of health care frontline workers, mainly activities related to the management of the airways of patients with Covid-19. Objective: to identify the practices necessary to ensure the safety of health professionals in managing the airway of patients suspected or diagnosed with Covid-19. Materials and methods: an integrative review carried out in ten relevant databases in the health area, with the sample consisting of 17 surveys. The practices identified were listed according to the four procedures punctuated by the literature: endotracheal intubation, extubation, bronchoscopy and tracheostomy. Results: the main recommendations mentioned were: endotracheal intubation: performed by an experienced, trained, minimal team and professionals from risk groups for covid-19 should not be part of this team;extubation: do not use a high flow nasal catheter after the procedure;bronchoscopy: perform in an isolated room with negative pressure;tracheostomy: may be considered early, but the risk-benefit must be assessed. Conclusion: the practices identified may direct the management of airways and guide the construction of assistive, educational or managerial technologies.Alternate :Introducción: La pandemia causada por el virus SARS-CoV-2 a principios de 2020 cambió las prácticas de los profesionales de la salud con el fin de mitigar los riesgos de contaminación de los trabajadores de primera línea de atención médica, principalmente actividades relacionadas con el manejo de las vías respiratorias de pacientes con Covid-19. Objetivo: identificar las prácticas necesarias para garantizar la seguridad de los profesionales de la salud en el manejo de la vía aérea de pacientes sospechosos o diagnosticados con Covid-19. Materiales y métodos: una revisión integradora realizada en diez bases de datos relevantes en el área de la salud, la muestra consiste en 17 encuestas. Las prácticas identificadas se enumeraron de acuerdo con los cuatro procedimientos puntuados por la literatura: intubación endotraqueal, extubación, broncoscopia y traqueotomía. Resultados: las principales recomendaciones mencionadas fueron: intubación endotraqueal: realizada por un equipo experimentado, capacitado, mínimo y profesionales de grupos de riesgo para Covid-19 no deberían formar parte de este equipo;extubación: no use un catéter nasal de alto flujo después del procedimiento;broncoscopia: realizar en una habi ación aislada con presión negativa;traqueotomía: puede considerarse temprano, pero se debe evaluar el riesgo-beneficio. Conclusión: las prácticas identificadas pueden dirigir la gestión de las vías aéreas y guiar la construcción de tecnologías de asistencia, educación o gestión.