Application of a protective sleeve is associated with decreased occupational anxiety during endotracheal intubation: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The high risk of cross-infection during tracheal intubation has caused excessive occupational anxiety for anaesthesiologists amid the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Currently, there is no effective way to attenuate their anxiety in clinical practice. We found that anaesthesiologist with better protective equipment might experience decreased levels of anxiety during intubation.

METHODS

In this study, 60 patients who underwent intubation and extubation in the operating room were enrolled, and then randomized 1:1 to either wear protective sleeves (protective sleeve group) or not (control group). Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure the anxiety level of anaesthesiologists during intubation. The respiratory droplets of patients on the sleeve, and the anaesthesiologists' perception including the patient's oral malodour, exertion, satisfaction degree, waist discomfort and shoulder discomfort were recorded. The patients' anxiety, oppressed feelings and hypoxia and postoperative complications were all measured and recorded.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the anaesthesiologists in protective sleeve group achieved lower anxiety scores and better satisfaction degrees during the process of intubation and extubation (all P < 0.05). Respiratory droplets were observed only on the inner side, but not the external side, of the protective sleeves (P < 0.001). The incidence of the anaesthesiologists' perception of patients' oral malodour was significantly lower in the protective sleeve group (P = 0.02) and no patients developed hypoxemia or intubation-related complications in the protective sleeve group.

CONCLUSION

Using protective devices for intubation might eliminate droplet transmission from patients to anaesthesiologists, while also decreasing their anxiety in a controlled operating room environment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial. no. ChiCTR2000030705 . Registry at www.chictr.org.cn on 10/03/2020.

Risk for the occupational infection by cytomegalovirus among health-care workers

BACKGROUND

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) are ubiquitously distributed worldwide, causing a wide range of clinical manifestations from congenital infection to a life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals. CMV can be transmitted via human-to-human contact through body fluids; however, the risk of CMV infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) has not been fully evaluated.

AIM

This study aimed to assess the risk of CMV infection among HCWs through daily medical practices.

METHODS

Serum samples from HCWs at Osaka University Hospital (Japan) were analysed. Initially, we compared CMV IgG seropositivity among HCWs (medical doctors, nurses, and others) in 2017, which was examined after 1 year to evaluate seroconversion rates among those with seronegative results. Then, we examined CMV seroconversion rates in HCWs who were exposed to blood and body fluids.

FINDINGS

We analysed 1153 samples of HCWs (386 medical doctors, 468 nurses, and 299 others), of which CMV seropositivity rates were not significantly different (68.9%, 70.3%, and 70.9%, respectively). Of these, 63.9% (221/346) of CMV seronegative HCWs were followed after 1 year, with CMV seroconversion rates of 3.2% (7/221). Among 72 HCWs who tested negative for CMV IgG when exposed to blood and body fluids, the CMV seroconversion rate was 2.8% (2/72). The CMV seroconversion rates between the two situations were not significantly different.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicated that CMV infection through daily patient care seems quite rare. Further well-designed studies with a large sample size are warranted to verify our finding.

Hospital outbreak of measles - Evaluation and costs of 10 occupational cases among healthcare worker in Germany, February to March 2017

After treatment of an inpatient with measles, an outbreak occurred within the unprotected healthcare workers (HCW) of a regional hospital in Hesse, Germany in February and March 2017. Overall, 10 HCW contracted measles. Remarkably, none of the affected HCW had direct contact to the index patient. One nosocomial transmission to a patient occurred. The economic impact of the outbreak is estimated to approximately 700,000€. Medical institutions play a major role in the management of measles outbreaks, since the risk of exposure as well as nosocomial transmission to vulnerable patients and HCW is very high. To avoid outbreaks it is essential to have an easily accessible documentation of the immune-status of all HCW. The role of occupational medicine in identifying and closing vaccination gaps is of particular importance.

Occupational infection and needle stick injury among clinical laboratory workers in Al-Madinah city, Saudi Arabia

Background

Clinical laboratory workers face biohazard such as needlestick injury and occupational infection on a daily basis. In this study, we examined self-reported frequency of occupational infection and needlestick injury among the clinical laboratory workers in Al- Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A total of 234 clinical laboratory workers were recruited from private and government health sectors to answer a self-administered questionnaire that was prepared to achieve the aims of the study.

Results

The results showed that approximately 33% of the sample had an experienced occupational infection while 24% had experienced a needlestick injury. Approximately, 49% reported that they always recap needle after use, whereas 15% reported doing that most of the times. Occupational infection, needlestick injury and recapping needles after use were associated with lack of training on biosafety (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The frequency of occupational infection and needlestick injury among clinical laboratory workers in Al-Madinah is high. Interventions related to biosafety and infection control and the use of needlestick prevention devices might be useful in lowering such frequency.

Universal treatment success among healthcare workers diagnosed with occupationally acquired acute hepatitis C

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of occupationally acquired hepatitis C. In the UK, 17 HCWs were diagnosed with occupationally acquired acute hepatitis C between 2002 and 2011. All 17 cases involved percutaneous injuries from hollowbore needles, 16 known to be contaminated with blood. Of these 17 HCWs, 15 received antiviral therapy and 14 are known to have achieved viral clearance. Treatment success was irrespective of genotype. The successful treatment of HCWs emphasizes the need for UK guidelines on the management of occupationally acquired acute hepatitis C.

Personal attitudes and misconceptions, not official recommendations guide occupational physicians' vaccination decisions

INTRODUCTION

Healthcare personnel (HCP) are often under-vaccinated. The aim of this study was to evaluate occupational physicians' potential role by assessing relations between their knowledge and attitudes regarding HCP vaccination and the extent to which official vaccination recommendations are communicated.

METHODS

Cross-sectional survey, n=135 occupational physicians.

RESULTS

Occupational physicians who treat HCP recommend vaccinations more often to HCP when they have better knowledge of official vaccination recommendations and a more positive attitude towards vaccination compared to physicians with less such knowledge or a more negative attitude. The attitude towards vaccination most strongly affects whether occupational physicians recommend the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination: physicians with less positive attitudes recommend MMR to HCP in a more restricted way. A more positive attitude towards vaccination also relates to fewer misconceptions. Occupational physicians' knowledge and attitude further influence the extent to which pregnant HCP receive vaccinations against influenza. Knowledge about official recommendations does not influence the recommendation of influenza vaccination for pregnant women.

CONCLUSIONS

Reasons for vaccination gaps in HCP might have their roots in occupational physicians' incomplete knowledge of vaccination recommendations. Attitudes, which are related to misperceptions, also influence which vaccinations are recommended to HCP. Official recommendations, and not personal attitudes and misconceptions, should guide occupational vaccination behavior.

Best practice for needlestick injuries

PURPOSE

Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are a significant health hazard. Occupational transmission of bloodborne pathogens among healthcare workers (HCWs) is rare but has been repeatedly reported in the literature.

METHODS

In October 2010, new regulations were introduced for medical aftercare of HCWs following NSIs at the University Hospital Frankfurt. In June 2013, a university hospital-wide early intervention program was introduced that gives HCWs immediate 24/7/365 access to an HIV postexposure prophylaxis kit after confirmed or probable occupational HIV exposure.

RESULTS

Interdisciplinary collaboration between the attending surgeon and occupational health as well as infectious disease specialists facilitates optimal postexposure medical treatment of HCWs who suffer NSIs. Complete reporting of NSIs is a prerequisite for achieving optimal treatment of the affected HCWs.

CONCLUSION

An NSI is an emergency and needs to be evaluated immediately and, if necessary, treated as soon as possible. A standardized algorithm for initial diagnostic and treatment has proven to be helpful.

Neutralizing antibodies associated with exposure factors to Orthopoxvirus in laboratory workers

Extensive use of Vaccinia virus (VACV) in research has led to associated accidental human exposure in laboratories worldwide. In spite of the social and economic relevance of Bovine Vaccinia outbreaks in Brazil, national data concerning laboratory workers handling these infectious agents are relatively scarce. Therefore, a serological survey was conducted in a Brazilian laboratory to evaluate staff exposure to orthopoxviruses (OPVs). Information concerning direct work with OPVs, vaccination status and laboratory accidents was collected and correlated to serology results. This study presents an opportunity for discussion of routine procedures involving OPVs in laboratories and their intrinsic risks. Aspects of the live attenuated smallpox vaccine are also discussed.