Nosocomial infection of COVID‑19: A new challenge for healthcare professionals (Review)

Abstract

Nosocomial infections, also known as hospital-acquired infections, pose a serious challenge to healthcare professionals globally during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Nosocomial infection of COVID-19 directly impacts the quality of life of patients, as well as results in extra expenditure to hospitals. It has been shown that COVID-19 is more likely to transmit via close, unprotected contact with infected patients. Additionally, current preventative and containment measures tend to overlook asymptomatic individuals and superspreading events. Since the mode of transmission and real origin of COVID-19 in hospitals has not been fully elucidated yet, minimizing nosocomial infection in hospitals remains a difficult but urgent task for healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals globally should form an alliance against nosocomial COVID-19 infections. The fight against COVID-19 may provide valuable lessons for the future prevention and control of nosocomial infections. The present review will discuss some of the key strategies to prevent and control hospital-based nosocomial COVID-19 infections.

Overcoming Current and Preventing Future Nosocomial Outbreaks during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned at Three Hospitals in Japan

“…According to a previous survey in Japan, 52% of the staff infected were nurses [ 40 ]. In the three hospitals in our study, when an infection is found in a ward, the nurses in close contact with the relevant people are isolated immediately, which means that ward duties must be performed on a limited shift, increasing the workload per person [ 18 , 30 , 43 , 45 , 46 , 48 , 49 ]. In addition, when shift changes required support from other departments, the work was unfamiliar as were the new members, which increased stress [ 31 , 49 ].…”

“…In the three hospitals in our study, when an infection is found in a ward, the nurses in close contact with the relevant people are isolated immediately, which means that ward duties must be performed on a limited shift, increasing the workload per person [ 18 , 30 , 43 , 45 , 46 , 48 , 49 ]. In addition, when shift changes required support from other departments, the work was unfamiliar as were the new members, which increased stress [ 31 , 49 ]. The burden on the remaining nurses should be reduced as much as possible by actively recruiting nurses from outside the organization whenever possible.…”

Development and validation of a competency evaluation model for hospital infection prevention and control practitioners in the post-pandemic era: a mixed methods study

“…In addition to its global health impact, COVID-19 has alarmed the healthcare community about the danger and harm of nosocomial infections. Nosocomial infection associated with COVID-19 has been identified and reported by several healthcare facilities across the world [ 2 ] . Due to the lack of adequate awareness about COVID-19 during the early stages of the pandemic, some healthcare workers also got infected [ 3 ] .…”

Development and Validation of the Competency Evaluation Model for Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners in the Post-Pandemic Era: A Mixed Methods Study

“…Healthcare workers account for 3% of the world's population and also account for 14% of all cases of infection 8 . Second, nosocomial infection of COVID-19 directly impacts the quality of medical care and also the safety of the patients 9 . Patients with other diseases are likely to face more severe consequences after acquiring COVID-19 infection, with an increased risk of mortality 10 .…”

“…These frameworks of competencies fail to meet the requirements of HIPC practitioners, brought forth by the new COVID-19 crisis. Moreover, new technologies are widely being used in the medical eld presently, which have played a crucial role in the prevention and control of COVID-19 in various ways, albeit these models have failed to keep up with the present day needs and requirements 9,21 .…”