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Posted: January 5th, 2024
The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has placed immense strain on healthcare systems worldwide. Frontline healthcare workers, especially nurses, have faced unprecedented challenges in responding to the crisis. Proper infection prevention and control measures are critical to protect these essential workers from contracting COVID-19 while caring for patients. Several emergency recommendations have been issued by leading health organizations to support nurses and medical staff during this difficult time.
Infection Prevention and Control
Hand hygiene is the top recommendation to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in healthcare settings. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2020a) emphasizes frequent handwashing with soap and water or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a core measure. Hand hygiene should be performed before and after each patient contact, after contact with the patient's surroundings, and as indicated by the WHO's Five Moments for Hand Hygiene. Proper hand hygiene reduces healthcare-associated infections and protects both patients and staff (Allegranzi et al., 2020).
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is also vital when interacting with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. The WHO (2020a) recommends medical masks, eye protection (goggles or face shields), gowns, and gloves based on the level of anticipated patient contact and duration of exposure. For aerosol-generating procedures that cause the virus to be airborne, N95 respirators or FFP2 standard masks or equivalent are advised (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020a).
Triage protocols help identify suspected COVID-19 patients quickly and isolate them to limit further spread (WHO, 2020a). Dedicated teams of healthcare workers should be assigned to COVID-19 patients when feasible to minimize cross-contamination (CDC, 2020a). Thorough cleaning and disinfection of clinical areas, equipment, and high-touch surfaces are also important to remove virus particles (Kampf et al., 2020). Respiratory hygiene measures like medical masking of coughing patients aid in source control (WHO, 2020a).
Workplace Measures
Several organizational measures support nurses and medical staff on the job. Adequate PPE supplies and training on proper use are essential to occupational safety (WHO, 2020b). Flexible sick leave policies allow ill staff to stay home without fear of retaliation, protecting colleagues (CDC, 2020b). Daily screening of all employees for COVID-19 symptoms helps identify cases early (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2020).
Staggering shifts, breaks, and meals promotes physical distancing as much as possible within the workplace (CDC, 2020b). Limiting the number of staff in common areas at one time also reduces virus transmission risk. Mental health services address stress and burnout experienced by frontline workers (Brooks et al., 2020). Occupational health programs conduct contact tracing of exposed staff and monitor for symptoms (CDC, 2020a).
Discussion
Proper implementation of recommended IPC and workplace measures protects healthcare workers from infection while caring for COVID-19 patients. However, challenges remain due to limited resources and overwhelmed systems in some areas. Further research could explore strategies for low-resource settings with staffing or PPE shortages. Studies also evaluate the impact of various organizational interventions on occupational safety, well-being, absenteeism and turnover.
While the pandemic situation continues to evolve, focus remains on supporting nurses and medical teams. Adhering to core recommendations enhances protection for frontline heroes and helps sustain pandemic response efforts. Ongoing evaluation of emerging evidence aids refinement of emergency guidance. Multi-faceted efforts upholding both IPC standards and staff welfare optimize pandemic management.
In conclusion, a coordinated, evidence-based approach applying recommended infection control and workplace measures safeguards healthcare workers during this public health crisis. Prioritizing occupational safety maintains the well-being and capacity of the clinical workforce.
References
Allegranzi, B., Stergiopoulou, S., & Fitzpatrick, F. (2020). Rational use of personal protective equipment for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and considerations during severe shortages. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/rational-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-for-coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-and-considerations-during-severe-shortages
Brooks, S. K., Webster, R. K., Smith, L. E., Woodland, L., Wessely, S., Greenberg, N., & Rubin, G. J. (2020). The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: Rapid review of the evidence. The Lancet, 395(10227), 912–920. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30460-8
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020a). Interim infection prevention and control recommendations for patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in healthcare settings. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020b). Strategies to mitigate healthcare personnel staffing shortages. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/mitigating-staff-shortages.html
Kampf, G., Todt, D., Pfaender, S., & Steinmann, E. (2020). Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents. Journal of Hospital Infection, 104(3), 246–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2020). Infection prevention and control for COVID-19: Interim guidance for acute healthcare settings. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/infection-prevention-control-covid-19-second-interim-guidance.html#a5.2
World Health Organization. (2020a). Infection prevention and control during health care when novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection is suspected. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-IPC-2020.4
World Health Organization. (2020b). Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19: Interim guidance. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak
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