Acta bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis
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Observational Study
Healthcare personnel exposure to COVID - 19: an observational study on quarantined positive workers.
COVID-19 is characterized by super spread events occurring in communities, e.g., hospitals. To limit virus diffusion among healthcare workers the use of personal protective equipment and screening tests are highly advised; also, isolation of virus positive professionals while monitoring their health condition is recommended. This study aims to assess, in a cohort of COVID-19 positive quarantined healthcare workers, the perceived source of infection and exposure risk as well as the clinical evolution of the disease through a surveillance interview. ⋯ The diffusion rate of COVID-19 among healthcare workers is relatively low, probably due to the use of personal protective equipment. The distancing, also among colleagues, is a fundamental measure to reduce the possibility of infection. Symptoms are mild and can be controlled by surveillance measures. Constant contact with the organization is an essential strategy for promoting recovering of workers and reducing the spread of the virus within the healthcare organization.
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The social disruption that had characterized the rapid progression of CoVid-19 infection in Italy in the first months of 2020 appeared again in the days in which this journal issue is being published. Due to what is defined as the second wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, measures to contain the contagion were still necessary, such as social distancing, isolation, the suspension of some production activities, closure of the majority of educational activities in presence in schools and universities. [...].
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a broadly diffused curable chronic low-grade inflammatory disease sharing impressive clinical and pathogenetic features with Covid-19. Moreover, a potential role of OSA as a detrimental factor for Covid-19 severity has been hypothesized. ⋯ Although several papers have analyzed the overlaps and outcomes of OSA and Covid-19, limited attention has been dedicated to ventilatory adherence and management of OSA cohorts exposed to Covid-19. We briefly review the literature data, pointing out the main risks and benefits of CPAP for OSA patients in the pandemic setting.
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Comparative Study
How COVID-19 pandemic has changed elective surgery: the experience in a general surgery unit at a COVID-hospital.
Objective Evaluate the impact of Covid-19 in a critical area and analyze the changes in the daily activities in a General Surgery Unit of a tertiary Covid-Hospital. Methods We report and compared all the surgical procedures performed between two periods (March and April 2019 and March and April 2020) at General Surgery Department of Parma University Hospital, a tertiary Covid-Hospital. Results Between March and April 2019, a total of 232 surgical procedures were performed. Between March and April 2020 only 61 surgical procedures were performed. ⋯ In 2020 only 37 patients underwent surgery for oncological reasons and 24 underwent surgery for benign diseases. Conclusions During pandemic Covid-19 the access to health services was limited and poor. Limited access to health services and the fear of Covid-19 infection can explain the lower number of elective surgical procedures for cancer in 2020 compared to the same period in the 2019.
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The incidence of long bone non-unions has been estimated to range between 5-10%. Nonunion of fracture is a delayed complication of fracture. A large bone resection, associated with Ilizarov's osteo-distraction technique, is commonly used in these cases. The war experience was very important for dealing with these injuries. The purpose of this study is to report whether the use of Platelet Rich of Plasma(PRP) or Hyperbric Oxygen Therapy(HOT) as an adjuvant to the osteogenic distraction of Ilizarov with respect to the classical method has advantages. ⋯ From our study we can conclude that the association of HOT and PRP with the Ilizarov technique does not improve the functional outcomes but allows a more rapid healing of the regenerated bone and therefore an early removal of the device and a corresponding improvement in the quality of life.