SARS-CoV-2: Sanitize a hospital

Issue

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, several critical issues emerged. One of these was to identify which was the best terminal disinfection strategy for hospital rooms of a COVID-19. Description of the problem. Our University Hospital adopted ozone disinfection two years ago, recognized internationally as a 'safe gas' and is an excellent disinfectant for its characteristics of attacking and oxidizing each type of organic and inorganic compound and specifically also works against SARS-CoV-2.

Results

23 ozone generators were purchased, 20 ozonizers were assigned to departments with high environmental sanitation needs, 3 ozonizers supplied to the ozonator team. For the correct use of the equipment, 200 operators were trained in a certified way. The rooms are ozonated with pre-established frequency and whenever a COVID-19 patient is cared for. The ozonation team sanitizes rooms in wards that are not equipped but that may have hosted patients with carriers. Indications have been given in all the wards to create the ozonation room, that can be used as an ozone disinfection chamber, where it is possible to place garrisons and furnishings, even large-sized, that cannot be disinfected in other ways (in addition to sanitization with hypochlorite). The team also provides for the ozonation of ambulances with a predetermined periodicity or in the case of transport of patient carrying SARS-CoV-2. All activities are monitored with a special traceability card.

Lessons

Terminal disinfection of environments that have hosted patients with COVID-19. Terminal disinfection of the devices used on patients with COVID-19. Increased safety for operators carrying out environmental sanitation.

Key messages

Fight SARS-COV-2 with ozone.

Disinfecting with ozone is safety for everyone.

[Efficacy of pretreatment with Serenoa repens on bleeding associated with transurethral resection of prostate]

AIM

Aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of a pretreatment with lipidic-sterolic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon) to reduce bleeding during transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

METHODS

This is a monocentric, randomised versus control group study. We enrolled 108 patients, randomised either in the experimental group or in the control one. Patients in the experimental group received a pretreatment with Serenoa repens (320 mg/die of Permixon) for at least 8 weeks before the TURP procedure. In the control group patients did not receive any medical treatment before the intervention.

RESULTS

Out of 108 enrolled patients, 88 were evaluated per protocol. In the pretreated group the perioperative bleeding was significantly lower than in the control one (respectively 124 vs 287 ml) and the need of transfusion decreased remarkably. Moreover, in the pretreated group, the duration of postoperative catheterization (respectively 3 vs 5 days) and the evaluated hematological parameters (red cells 4.5 vs 4 million, hemoglobin 13.4 vs 11.9 g, hematocrit 40% vs 35%) were significantly lower than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

The pretreatment with Serenoa repens, before TURP procedure, improves the efficacy of the procedure itself and reduces the risk of complications, in particular perioperative bleeding and duration of postoperative catheterization.