Hand hygiene and the novel coronavirus pandemic: the role of healthcare workers

Lotfinejad, Nasim; Peters, Alexandra; Pittet, Didier

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2020.03.017

Cited by 132 publications

(148 citation statements)

References 13 publications

(10 reference statements)

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“…Hand hygiene is a routine measure in dental practice (Larson et al 2000;Kohn et al 2003), but it is gaining growing importance to limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Lotfinejad et al (2020) highlighted the effect of alcohol-based solutions on inactivated enveloped viruses, including coronaviruses, suggesting the use of solutions containing at least 60% ethanol for hand hygiene. World Health Organization instructions for hand hygiene report that an effective procedure for the use of alcohol-based formulations requires 20 to 30 s, while correct hand washing takes between 40 and 60 s (https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Hand_Hygiene_ Why_How_and_When_Brochure.pdf).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Transmission in Dental Practice: Brief Review of Preventive Measures in Italy

et al. 2020

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The outbreak and diffusion of SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has caused an emergency in the health system worldwide. After a first development in Wuhan, China, the virus spread in other countries, with Italy registering the second highest number of cases in Europe on the 7th of April 2020 (135,586 in total). The World Health Organization declared the pandemic diffusion of COVID-19, and restrictive measures to limit contagion have been taken in several countries. The virus has a predominantly respiratory transmission through aerosol and droplets. The importance of infection control is therefore crucial in limiting the effects of virus diffusion. We aim to discuss the risks related to dental practice and current recommendations for dental practitioners. A literature search was performed to retrieve articles on the management of COVID-19 diffusion in dental practice. The documented clinical experience, the measures of professional prevention, and the actual Italian situation were reported and described. Four articles were retrieved from the literature search. Among the eligible articles, 3 reported measures to contrast COVID-19 diffusion. The infection management protocols suggested were reviewed. Finally, recommendations based on the Italian experience in terms of patient triage, patients’ entrance into the practice, dental treatment, and after-treatment management are reported and discussed. COVID-19 is a major emergency worldwide, which should not be underestimated. Due to the rapidly evolving situation, further assessment of the implications of COVID-19 outbreak in dental practice is needed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Transmission in Dental Practice: Brief Review of Preventive Measures in Italy

et al. 2020

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“…Hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand sanitizers is practiced worldwide to prevent COVID-19 cross-transmission, and it has been one of the most effective, simplest and cheapest procedures. [ 14 ]…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plastic wrap combined with alcohol wiping is an effective method of preventing bacterial colonization on mobile phones

Chen²,

Wu³

et al. 2020

Medicine

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Introduction: Using mobile phones for communication in emergency departments is a common practice; however, several studies have demonstrated that they may act as vectors for bacteria and viruses. This study evaluated the effectiveness of plastic wrapping in decreasing bacterial contamination on mobile phone surfaces. Method: We used culture dishes and a luminometer to detect bacterial colonies and contamination on the phone surfaces. Result: Our experiment showed that bacterial colonies exist on mobile phones before and after work. We found that wiping with 75% alcohol sanitizers effectively reduces the number of colonies on either a mobile phone or a temporary plastic covering. In addition, we found that bacterial colonies do not contaminate or adhere to plastic wrap any easier than to mobile phones. Conclusion: These results demonstrated the effectiveness of plastic wrap for protecting mobile phone surfaces against bacterial colonization. In addition, applying a layer of plastic wrap protects the phone from potential damage due to the alcohol.

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“…Hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rubs is widely used as one of the most effective, simple, and low-cost procedures against COVID-19 cross-transmission. 5 By denaturing proteins, alcohol inactivates enveloped viruses, including coronaviruses, and thus alcohol-based formulations with at least 60% ethanol have been proven effective for hand hygiene. 5 Moreover, HCWs may perform frequent handwashing with water and soap more than 10 times per day.…”

Section: The Role Of Occupational Dermatology In the Covid-19 Outbreakmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…5 By denaturing proteins, alcohol inactivates enveloped viruses, including coronaviruses, and thus alcohol-based formulations with at least 60% ethanol have been proven effective for hand hygiene. 5 Moreover, HCWs may perform frequent handwashing with water and soap more than 10 times per day. Because coronavirus was found to survive for several hours on used PPE, double gloving can reduce the risks of viral contamination during PPE removal and is therefore recommended.…”

Section: The Role Of Occupational Dermatology In the Covid-19 Outbreakmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of occupational dermatology in the COVID‐19 outbreak

et al. 2020

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It is known that in emergency medicine and disaster management, skin diseases may be frequent not only in victims, but also in rescuers. 2 The current COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that health-care workers (HCWs) are particularly affected by skin problems. Although not a severe disease, skin problems often have a significant impact on emergency management, as they are potentially able to reduce the effective workforce.HCWs caring for COVID-19 patients have to wear for many hours, on a daily basis, specific personal protective equipment (PPE) and are therefore susceptible to PPE-related adverse skin reactions. 3It has been reported that up to 97% of HCWs showed skin lesions related to the enhanced protection measures, mainly affecting the nasal bridge, cheek, forehead, and hands. 1,3,4 The facial lesions are secondary not only to the prolonged use of N95 FFP3 masks, but mainly to goggles, which were implicated in most injuries. Hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rubs is widely used as one of the most effective, simple, and low-cost procedures against COVID-19 cross-transmission. 5 By denaturing proteins, alcohol inactivates enveloped viruses, including coronaviruses, and thus alcohol-based formulations with at least 60% ethanol have been proven effective for hand hygiene. 5 Moreover, HCWs may perform frequent handwashing with water and soap more than 10 times per day. Because coronavirus was found to survive for several hours on used PPE, double gloving can reduce the risks of viral contamination during PPE removal and is therefore recommended. 3 These procedures may lead to hand dermatitis with symptoms that can vary from quite mild to debilitating, including dryness, irritation, itching, and even fissuring and bleeding. 1,3,4 The problem of hand dermatitis is very important for many aspects. First, hand dermatitis due to frequent washing may create a route of entry for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); indeed, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the receptor for the virus, is richly expressed in the skin on blood vessels, basal cells, hair follicles, eccrine glands. 4 Second, dryness, skin irritation, and itching can be debilitating and cause absence from work and impair work productivity, with important consequences during the pandemic. Therefore, basic skin care measures should be taken after hand washing to address these aspects. 3 To this end, several measures to avoid hand dermatitis, maceration, and erosion due to PPE and handwashing during the pandemic have been proposed. 4 Although the application of hand cream/moisturizers on intact skin after hand washing is recommended, 6 only 22.1% applied hand creams after washing. 3,4 Education of HCWs regarding proper skin care management may be effective in preventing occupational skin disorders. For HCWs at risk of hand dermatitis to hygiene products, additional skin moisturizing may be needed. Hand lotions and creams often contain humectants, fats, and oils that increase skin hydration and replace altered or depleted skin lipid...

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Hand hygiene and the novel coronavirus pandemic: the role of healthcare workers

Cited by 132 publications

References 13 publications

COVID-19 Transmission in Dental Practice: Brief Review of Preventive Measures in Italy

COVID-19 Transmission in Dental Practice: Brief Review of Preventive Measures in Italy

Plastic wrap combined with alcohol wiping is an effective method of preventing bacterial colonization on mobile phones

The role of occupational dermatology in the COVID‐19 outbreak

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