Hematology Patient Protection During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: A Nationwide Nursing Survey.
COVID-19
Coronavirus
Hematology
Infection control
Infection spread
Nursing
Patient Protection
Patient safety
SARS-CoV-2
Journal
Mediterranean journal of hematology and infectious diseases
ISSN: 2035-3006
Titre abrégé: Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis
Pays: Italy
ID NLM: 101530512
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2021
2021
Historique:
received:
21
09
2020
accepted:
11
12
2020
entrez:
25
1
2021
pubmed:
26
1
2021
medline:
26
1
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Italy has been one of the first European countries hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many patients dying from severe respiratory issues, especially frail subjects. Hematology patients are generally thought to be at high risk of developing severe COVID-19-associated complications. The aim of this work was to describe the infection control measures adopted in Italian hematology settings to protect patients and health-care professionals. On behalf of the Nursing Campus in Hematology Group, a nationwide nursing survey was conducted. Questionnaire items included general information, infection control measures, patient and health-care professional protection, information management, and participants' opinion on critical issues. Data have been analyzed by center location (Northern, Central, or Southern Italy) and by patient age (adult vs pediatric). Forty-four Italian hematology centers participated, representing 52.4% of those invited. Patients underwent nasopharyngeal swabs (93.2%) generally the day before admission (43.2%), though less frequently in Southern centers (p = 0.0377). Visitor restrictions were implemented in all centers: 65.9% barred all visitors, while 25.0% allowed visitors only for patients with specific conditions, especially in Central Italy. Deficiency of personal protective equipment, including masks (45.5%) and gloves (22.7%), was reported, although the nurses' opinion was that the emergency was nevertheless well managed to protect patients and professionals. Almost all health-care institutions (97.7%) provided recommendations on emergency management. No significant differences were found between adult and pediatric centers in terms of infection prevention and control. Low variability in patient protection strategies was observed, meaning that national recommendations were effective. However, some critical issues emerged regarding the management of infected health-care professionals and their contacts.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Italy has been one of the first European countries hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many patients dying from severe respiratory issues, especially frail subjects. Hematology patients are generally thought to be at high risk of developing severe COVID-19-associated complications. The aim of this work was to describe the infection control measures adopted in Italian hematology settings to protect patients and health-care professionals.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
METHODS
On behalf of the Nursing Campus in Hematology Group, a nationwide nursing survey was conducted. Questionnaire items included general information, infection control measures, patient and health-care professional protection, information management, and participants' opinion on critical issues. Data have been analyzed by center location (Northern, Central, or Southern Italy) and by patient age (adult vs pediatric).
RESULTS
RESULTS
Forty-four Italian hematology centers participated, representing 52.4% of those invited. Patients underwent nasopharyngeal swabs (93.2%) generally the day before admission (43.2%), though less frequently in Southern centers (p = 0.0377). Visitor restrictions were implemented in all centers: 65.9% barred all visitors, while 25.0% allowed visitors only for patients with specific conditions, especially in Central Italy. Deficiency of personal protective equipment, including masks (45.5%) and gloves (22.7%), was reported, although the nurses' opinion was that the emergency was nevertheless well managed to protect patients and professionals. Almost all health-care institutions (97.7%) provided recommendations on emergency management. No significant differences were found between adult and pediatric centers in terms of infection prevention and control.
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
Low variability in patient protection strategies was observed, meaning that national recommendations were effective. However, some critical issues emerged regarding the management of infected health-care professionals and their contacts.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33489050
doi: 10.4084/MJHID.2021.011
pii: mjhid-13-1-e2021011
pmc: PMC7813272
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
e2021011Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Competing interests: The authors declare no conflict of Interest.
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