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Understanding the Role of Existing Technology in the Fight Against COVID-19
Published in Ram Shringar Raw, Vishal Jain, Sanjoy Das, Meenakshi Sharma, Pandemic Detection and Analysis Through Smart Computing Technologies, 2022
The use of 3D materials has increased in the medical field over the past years. Initially, 3D printing was used to manufacture medical items like hearing aids and prosthetics [53]. Thereafter, 3D printing has been explored for producing and transplanting engineered tissues and organs [54, 55]. Other examples include drug delivery systems [56], fabrication of bones [57], cartilages [58], and dental implants [59]. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new outlook when it comes to using 3D printing technology. The shortage of medical devices that was encountered all over the world led to exploring the possibility of fast production of medical tools. The face masks, face shields, PPE, and testing kits are some of the medical goods that are extensively used in medical emergencies. The production of these items, along with some others (like ventilator valves, nasal swabs, oxygen masks, door opener, etc.), can be realized through the use of 3DPT [60, 61]. The fitting of the masks on the face is an essential requirement for the effectiveness of the mask in preventing spread of the virus. Therefore, a customization of the mask can be achieved through the accurate modeling of the customer’s facial features. Although the use of 3DPT has been seen as an opportunity to develop products during COVID-19, the safety standards and other procedures also need to be taken care of that will ensure whether the 3D printed products pass the quality check of the approved guidelines.
Prevention and Control Strategies for the COVID-19 Pandemic
Published in Debmalya Barh, Kenneth Lundstrom, COVID-19, 2022
Isfendiyar Darbaz, Gizem Morris, Şükrü Tüzmen
Four factors affect the likelihood of indoor viral respiratory transmission: (1) the properties of aerosols and droplets; (2) indoor airflow; (3) virus-specific factors; and (4) host-specific factors The transmission of a respiratory viral pathogen requires both exposure to, and successful inoculation with, an infectious titer of virus. Protective goggles and face shields are not currently differentiated in face safety guidelines; however, we recommend using face shields because they provide additional protection beyond just covering the eyes. Face shields prevent early exposure to cough or sneeze-generated aerosols by intercepting droplets and high-velocity airborne particles before they enter a face mask or respirator. Since aerosol particles will “slip” around the face shield as particle transport associated with bulk airflow takes over, face-shield effectiveness decreases with time. At this stage, wearing a good face mask or respirator is needed. While current clinical evidence on the effectiveness of N95 masks versus surgical masks in preventing disease transmission is inconclusive, a recent study indicated that N95 masks may be more effective than surgical masks in reducing coronavirus-associated disease transmission [11].
Teaching and modeling professionalism in health professions
Published in Joseph A. Balogun, Health Care Education in Nigeria, 2020
HCPs are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as dictated by the employer to prevent infection. PPEs consist of protective clothing, helmets, gloves, face shields, goggles, facemasks, and respirators, or other equipment designed to insulate clinicians from injury or the spread of infection or illness. They function as a barrier between infectious materials such as viral and bacterial contaminants from blood, body fluids, or respiratory secretions and the HCP’s skin, mouth, nose, and the mucous membranes of the eyes. Also, PPEs postsurgery, protect patients with a compromised autoimmune system at high risk for contracting infections or those with a medical condition, from exposure to substances or potentially infectious material brought in by visitors and clinicians. When PPEs are used in conjunction with handwashing with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, the spread of infection in the clinical setting is minimized (US Food and Drug Administration, 2018).
Bacterial contamination of forehead skin and surgical mask in aerosol-producing dental treatment
Published in Journal of Oral Microbiology, 2021
Madline P Gund, Gabor Boros, Matthias Hannig, Sigrid Thieme-Ruffing, Barbara Gärtner, Tilman R Rohrer, Arne Simon, Stefan Rupf
After aerosol-producing dental treatments, the foreheads of the dental staff participating in the present study showed significantly lower contamination with bacterial species from aerosols and droplets of patients’ oral fluids compared with the outer surface of their surgical masks. We hypothesize that the physiological microbiota of the forehead skin may offer some degree of protection against contamination with other microorganisms, including bacterial pathogens. Nevertheless, the exposed areas of the dental operator’s facial skin should be considered a potential threat to dental professionals and a source of nosocomial transmission of microbes. Dental professionals therefore need to reduce facial skin exposure and avoid touching surgical masks during and after treatment. The general use of a face shield should also be taken into consideration.
Pharmacological and non-pharmacological efforts at prevention, mitigation, and treatment for COVID-19
Published in Journal of Drug Targeting, 2020
Mohammed M. Alvi, Sowmya Sivasankaran, Mahima Singh
Rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 by symptomatic persons or asymptomatic carriers has inundated hospitals across the world with infected patients. With current evidence suggesting human-to-human transmission of this virus through close contact and respiratory droplets, several precautions can help decrease the spread of the virus. Health care workers, being increasingly exposed to the virus are required to strictly adhere to the protocols, and use the WHO recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) [85]. In current WHO guidelines (6 April 2020), PPE requirements have been categorised according to the clinical setting, personnel, and type of activity. Briefly, any worker at an inpatient facility entering the rooms of potential or infected COVID-19 patients or dealing with the samples from such patients must wear medical/surgical masks, gowns, gloves, and a face-shield. Respirators (N95, FFP2 or FFP3) should be used only by those health care workers who provide treatments in areas where aerosol generating procedures such as manual ventilation, tracheal intubation, non-invasive ventilation, bronchoscopy, tracheotomy, and others are to be performed. Similar recommendations have been given to healthcare workers and cleaners at outpatient services, ambulance personnel dealing with COVID-19 patients, and administrative staff at airports and ports dealing with secondary screening of passengers.
Technical Tips: Keeping It Clean during COVID-19
Published in The Neurodiagnostic Journal, 2020
Anna M. Bonner, Petra Davidson
Outpatients must be fever and symptom free. A safe distance of 6 feet should be maintained as much as possible (CDC 2020b). Using transmission precautions, technologists are urged to wear a mask and face shield or goggles, regardless of the COVID-19 status of the patient. HV must be deemed medically necessary per your facility’s medical director, neurology lead, or oversight physician. Items used to induce HV, such as a pinwheel should be disposable and should be disposed of after use in the patient room (not permitting the patient to carry the used pinwheel through the facility). Furthermore, it is essential to clean surrounding surfaces between patients and especially those who perform HV, such as bed or armchair rails, any furniture within close proximity to the patient, doorknobs, drawer handles, etc.