American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Feb 2021
Prevalence of comorbidities among individuals with COVID-19: A rapid review of current literature.
On February 11, 2020 WHO designated the name "COVID-19" for the disease caused by "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" (SARS-CoV-2), a novel virus that quickly turned into a global pandemic. Risks associated with acquiring the virus have been found to most significantly vary by age and presence of underlying comorbidity. In this rapid literature review we explore the prevalence of comorbidities and associated adverse outcomes among individuals with COVID-19 and summarize our findings based on information available as of May 15, 2020. ⋯ Based on our findings, hypertension followed by diabetes and cardiovascular diseases were the most common comorbidity seen in COVID-19 positive patients across major epicenters world-wide. Although having one or more comorbidity is linked to increased disease severity, no clear association was found between having these risk factors and increased risk of fatality.
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Am J Infect Control · Dec 2020
Decontamination and reuse of N95 filtering facemask respirators: A systematic review of the literature.
As has happened in other emerging respiratory pandemics, demand for N95 filtering facemask respirators (FFRs) has far exceeded their manufacturing production and availability in the context of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. One of the proposed strategies for mitigating the massive demand for N95 FFRs is their reuse after a process of decontamination that allows the inactivation of any potentially infectious material on their surfaces. This article aims to summarize all of the available evidence on the different decontamination methods that might allow disposable N95 FFRs to be reused, with emphasis on decontamination from SARS-CoV-2. ⋯ Although all the methods for the decontamination and reuse of N95 FFRs have advantages and disadvantages, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation and vaporized hydrogen peroxide seem to be the most promising methods.
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Am J Infect Control · Aug 2020
ReviewInfection control practices in children during COVID-19 pandemic: Differences from adults.
Limited studies have been published on practices and management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children. Despite the fact that COVID-19 rarely caused any severe disease in children, the asymptomatic children might be playing an important role for spreading COVID-19 in healthcare facilities. This review aimed at sharing our experience of how to handle patients with COVID-19 in a pediatric referral and tertiary care hospital to prevent the possible transmissions to the healthcare workers (HCWs). ⋯ Infection control precautions to prevent the possible transmissions to HCWs as well as the other patients and their caregivers from children with COVID-19 are very critical. If sufficient precautions are not taken, healthcare settings may serve as additional source of transmission and spread of COVID-19 in the society.
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Am J Infect Control · Aug 2020
ReviewThe impact of novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers in hospitals: An aerial overview.
The ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, places healthcare workers at an increased risk of infection as they are in close contact with patients. In this article, we report an overview of cases of infected healthcare workers in China and Italy during the early periods of the COVID-19 epidemic. China's coronavirus response highlights the importance of implementing effective public health strategies. The authorities worldwide therefore, need to be extremely cautious when they implement stringent protective measures that safeguard healthcare workers in hospitals and counteract the threats created by the pandemic.
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Application of antiseptic products to the skin plays an important role in prevention of a variety of health care-associated infections. Preoperative bathing or showering is widely recommended to reduce the risk of surgical site infections. Evidence of the impact of this measure on surgical site infection rates is mixed, and further prospective trials comparing standardized protocols for showering with plain soap or chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)-containing soap, or bathing with 2% CHG-impregnated cloths are needed to establish the most effective approach. ⋯ Antiseptics are applied to the skin for a variety of purposes in health care. Common scenarios in which topical antiseptics are used include preoperative bathing, surgical site preparation, surgical hand hygiene, daily bathing of intensive care unit patients, and prevention of intravascular catheter-associated BSI. The purpose of this article is to review recent evidence regarding the best products for skin antisepsis.