COVID-19 Pandemic: New Prevention and Protection Measures

Abstract

As of the end of February 2021, more than 420,000,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide, with 5,856,224 deaths. Transmission of the different genetically engineered variants of SARS-CoV-2, which have been isolated since the beginning of the pandemic, occurs from one infected person to another by the same means: the airborne route, indirect contact, and occasionally the fecal–oral route. Infection is asymptomatic or may present with flulike symptoms such as fever, cough, and mild to moderate and severe respiratory distress, requiring hospitalization and assisted ventilation support. To control the spread of COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have indicated that the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as the adoption of effective hygiene systems, is one of the primary prevention measures for the entire population. Companies and institutions around the world are therefore trying to find the best ways to reorganize their operations, minimizing the risk of infection among their employees, in order to protect their health and prevent internal outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2, including through the development of new technologies that could also be an innovative and driving factor for the relaunch of companies in a more sustainable, ethically correct, and safe for the health of employees perspective. On the basis of the above premises, in view of the coexistence with SARS-CoV-2 that will most likely accompany us in the coming years, and in view of the vaccination campaign adopted worldwide, the purpose of our narrative review is to update the previous operational protocols with the latest scientific knowledge to be adopted in the workplace even when the emergency crisis is over.

The Impact on Healthcare Workers of Italian Law n. 24/2017 “Gelli–Bianco” on Patient Safety and Medical Liability: A National Survey

“…Law n.24 is still being implemented, and several years are needed to assess the effects on patient safety culture and litigation prevention to achieve the stated goals by monitoring adverse events and reducing medical liability and the costs of the healthcare system [ 29 , 30 ]. Several studies suggested that educational programs and patient safety culture improvement lead to a reduction in the number of adverse events and greater patient and HCW safety perspectives in healthcare facilities [ 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

Sleep quality among workers in the health sector exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Hand hygiene, social distancing, and quarantine are essential to combat the virus [ 3 ]. Also, the use of personal protective equipment, including face protecting masks, has ensured greater control of the spread of the virus [ 4 ]. Furthermore, the large-scale use of vaccines has favorably changed the initial scenario of the pandemic by reducing contagions and drastically decreasing the hospitalization of people infected with the virus.…”

In-hospital outcomes of SARS-CoV-2-infected health care workers in the COVID-19 pandemic first wave, Quebec, Canada

“…High-risk workplaces like RCFs require design and implementation of multifaceted IPAC interventions that extend beyond PPE, quarantine and isolation to also ensuring high vaccination rates and optimizing physical infrastructure e.g. implementing adequate air handling systems and ventilation [ 45 ].…”