Articles: personal-protective-equipment.
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Expert Rev Med Devices · Dec 2020
ReviewPersonal protective equipment during COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review on technical aspects.
Introduction: The current pandemic of novel Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a significant shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in many countries of the world, stressing medical services during this crisis. Along with addressing problems of demand and supply mismatch, there also a need to ensure the procurement of high-quality PPEs that provides both safety and comfort to users. The purpose of this article is to review existing standards and recommendations on the technical aspects of PPE. ⋯ Expert opinion: The design and materials of PPE needs further research, which might have minimal carriage of infective biological load like the use of antimicrobial repellent finishes along with adequate tensile strength and breathability through the fabric. Respirators should have the least resistance while providing maximum protection; goggles should not have fogging. Also, there is a need of formulating universal technical specifications for medically used PPE and ensuring easy availability of the testing facilities.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2020
ReviewPersonal protective equipment (PPE) and infection among healthcare workers - what is the evidence?
The worldwide outbreak of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has already put healthcare workers (HCWs) at a high risk of infection. The question of how to give HCWs the best protection against infection is a priority. ⋯ Covering more of the body, and a higher-level specification of masks and respirators could provide better protection for HCWs. Community mask usecould be beneficial. High quality studies still need to examine the protection of PPE against COVID-19.
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Am. J. Reprod. Immunol. · Nov 2020
ReviewRecommendations for prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care during COVID-19 pandemic in India.
The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected more than 19.7 million persons worldwide with 7 28 013 deaths till August 10, 2020. It has put an unprecedented workload on healthcare systems with special reference to labor rooms and obstetrics as deliveries cannot be stopped or postponed. Preparing their facilities using triage (COVID-positive patients, COVID-suspect patients, and COVID-negative patients) can help to better utilize the limited resources and help in prevention of spread of disease, and improve maternal and perinatal outcome. ⋯ Fortunately, the available literature suggests that there is no substantial increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 in pregnancy or its increased virulence in pregnancy and labor and there are no adverse effects on fetus and neonate with negligible fetal transmission rate. Nevertheless, utmost care is needed to manage such pregnancies, their prenatal care, and labor. This review aimed to highlight the main recommendations applied in Indian maternities for better management of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Patients who become severely ill from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have a high likelihood of needing prolonged intubation, making tracheostomy a likely consideration. The infectious nature of COVID-19 poses an additional risk of transmission to healthcare workers that should be taken into consideration. ⋯ Thorough preprocedural planning, use of experienced personnel, enhanced personal protective equipment where available, and a thoughtful anesthesia approach are instrumental in maximizing positive patient outcomes while successfully protecting the safety of healthcare personnel. Laryngoscope, 130:2546-2549, 2020.