Statement of the Problem: Healthcare workers (HCW) are the most vulnerable group for contracting SARS-CoV-2. Assessment of seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCW, thus can provide important data on pathogen exposure, infectivity, and adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE). The present study aimed at assessing SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among HCW and exploring associations with demographics, category of exposure to COVID-19 patients, preventive measures taken and relation with COVID-19 symptoms. Method of Study: HCWs with a minimum gap 2 weeks from last duty were eligible to participate in the study. The enrolled HCW were categorized into high-risk and low-risk category based on work in COVID-19 areas. HCWs SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgM antibodies were detected using rapid immunochromatography test. Results: Out of 821 randomly selected HCWs, either IgM or IgG antibody was detected in 32 HCWs (32/821, 3.9%). Only IgM antibodies were detected in 14 (1.7%), only IgG was detected in 9 (1.0%), and both IgM and IgG antibodies were present in 9 HCWs. Seropositivity was significantly higher in high-risk category (5.7% vs. 2.2.%), HCWs who ever had COVID-19 related symptoms in last 3 months (5.6% vs. 2.8%), and those who had earlier tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (36.6% vs. 3.5%). Seroprevalence was highest (6.9%) among housekeeping and sanitation staff. Conclusions: Overall, low seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in our HCWs is an indicator of effective infection control practice. HCW posted in dedicated COVID ward need more stringent implementation of infection prevention measures.
Introduction: Activity-based costing (ABC) is a costing technique that identifies the activities in an organization and assigns the cost to the activities based on the actual resources consumed for each activity. The method was used to ascertain the cost of surgical intensive care unit (SICU) bed in an institute of national importance, such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, from June 2019 to February 2021. Objective: The present study aimed to ascertain the cost of SICU beds per day by the ABC technique. The different elements of cost were analyzed. The cost for selected patients in the SICU unit was calculated by preparing a cost sheet based on the elements of cost and studying the existing charging system. Methods: A total of 38 cases were selected from the departments of General Surgery, Urology, Orthopedics, and Plastic surgery. Based on the ABC technique, the activity map was developed for SICU (cost center), and the time consumed together with resources for each activity was calculated with respect to human resources, consumables, medicines, and overheads. Thus, the total cost incurred by the hospital for SICU beds per day was estimated using the cost sheet analysis. Results: The cost was calculated to be Rs. 11,241/-per day (155 USD) against the hospital charge of Rs. 35/-(<0.5 USD) for general patients and Rs. 1000/-for private ward patients. Exchange Conversion Rate used is 1 USD = 72.60 INR (2020-21). Conclusion:The public sector hospitals in India provide health-care services for free and at a subsidized rate; hence, ascertaining the cost incurred by the hospital is necessary for policy decisions.
Background: Occupational safety and health (OSH) is important for moral, legal and financial reasons for any organization. Aims of the OSH programs include encouragement of a safe and healthy work environment. This study aimed to study the occupational safety and health among healthcare workers at a tertiary care hospital.Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive type of study in a tertiary care hospital at south India. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 120 health care workers were subjected to a pre-tested questionnaire. Along with questionnaire and interview method, inspection round and review of Incident register with 32 case reports were used as secondary source of data. Simple statistical methods were used to analyse the data.Results: Risk assessment shows out of physical hazards (n=120) 21% Musculoskeletal disorder followed by 13% burns and 10% strain due to uncomfortable posture. Chemical hazards identified were 8% dust, 7% chemical inhalation and 6% sterilization gases. Biological hazards were 12% needle stick injury, 11% splash and 5% sharp injury (n=120). Equipment hazards reported more among nurses. Among psychosocial hazards shift duty stress was highest (17%). Incident register showed slips/falls (28%), equipment hazards (23%) and needle stick injury (19%) as most common hazards (n=32).Conclusions: The percentage of occupational hazards in the study setting was less compared to national and international standards available. Risk assessment should be done periodically and periodic training and awareness programs for hospital employees directly influences on the quality of patient care.
Objective An observational study was conducted to evaluate (1) the incidence rates of infection-related ventilator-associated complication (IVAC) and possible ventilator-associated pneumonia (PVAP) among mechanically ventilated patients of adult medical and surgical intensive care units (ICUs) and (2) the pathogen distribution in patients with PVAP. Materials and Methods The IVAC and PVAP rates of medical and surgical ICUs, between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2021, per 1,000 mechanical ventilator (MV) days were calculated. The significance of difference in IVAC and PVAP rates between medical and surgical ICUs was calculated. The level of significance was set at less than 0.05. Results MV utilization ratios of adult medical and surgical ICUs were 0.32 and 0.26, respectively (p < 0.001). About 8 and 7 episodes of IVAC and 14 and 6 episodes of PVAP were reported from adult medical and surgical ICUs, accounting for IVAC rates of 3.17 and 1.8 per 1,000 MV (p > 0.05) and PVAP rates of 2.46 and 1.59 per 1,000 MV days in medical and surgical ICUs, respectively (p > 0.05). Acinetobacter baumannii complex either singly or in combination was isolated in 11/20 PVAP cases. Conclusion IVAC and PVAP were more in medical compared with surgical ICUs. The most common pathogen in patients with PVAP was A. baumannii complex. More studies are warranted to monitor the significance of ventilator-associated event on patient outcomes.
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