Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
-
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Apr 2020
[Rational use of respiratory protective equipment: advice for health care professionals in time of COVID-19].
The current COVID-19 pandemic has led to a worldwide shortage of respiratory protective equipment. In order to offer maximum protection against infection for all healthcare workers, we need to optimise our use of the available equipment. This article provides practical advice on which type of mask is indicated in what specific situation, what requirements the mask should meet and how to optimise the local workflow, including the re-use of masks after decontamination.
-
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Apr 2020
[The first 100 COVID-19 patients admitted to the Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands].
Here we describe the characteristics of the first 100 laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to the Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital (Tilburg, The Netherlands). The median age was 72 years, 67% was male, approximately 80% had co-morbidity, approximately 50% of which consisted of hypertension, cardiac and or pulmonary conditions and 25% diabetes. ⋯ The median age of ICU patients was 67 years and 63% had co-morbidity. The median time to discharge or to death was 6 and 5.5 days, respectively.
-
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, chloroquine has been mentioned as a possible treatment. In vitro studies have shown anti-viral activity of chloroquine against SARS-CoV-2. Recently, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment published treatment options for antiviral treatment for COVID-19 where chloroquine was suggested as first choice for off-label treatment, beside remdesivir en lopinavir/ritonavir. In this commentary, we provide a background and history of chloroquine, the evidence for antiviral efficacy of chloroquine and the arguments for off-label use of chloroquine in COVID-19.
-
Clostridium tetani is a gram-positive spore-forming bacterium that produces toxins and grows under anaerobic conditions. Infections with this bacterium can lead to local or generalised forms of tetanus. ⋯ Patients with a wound that may have come into contact with road grime, dirt or manure, should always be asked for their vaccination status, especially people from high-risk groups, such as the elderly.
-
With an ageing population, the number of very old patients that are admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) is also increasing. The possible benefit of ICU admission for these patients should be weighed against the risks of cognitive and functional impairment. Prospective studies are necessary to optimize the triage process and to identify factors, other than age, that are related to long-term outcome in ICU patients.