Preventive Measures among Healthcare Workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Robert Rodríguez-González, Aleksis Galloza, Edgar J. Medina, Valeria Oliver, Natalia I. Rodríguez, Elizabeth Ramos-Colón, Mileily Velázquez-Ferrer, Dayaneira Rivera-Alers, Wanda Vargas and Vanessa Rivera-Amill ()
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Robert Rodríguez-González: Public Health Program, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
Aleksis Galloza: School of Medicine, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
Edgar J. Medina: School of Medicine, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
Valeria Oliver: School of Medicine, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
Natalia I. Rodríguez: School of Medicine, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
Elizabeth Ramos-Colón: Public Health Program, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
Mileily Velázquez-Ferrer: Public Health Program, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
Dayaneira Rivera-Alers: Public Health Program, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
Wanda Vargas: Center for Research Resources, RCMI Program, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
Vanessa Rivera-Amill: School of Medicine, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-9

Abstract: COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), placed health systems worldwide under immense pressure, and healthcare workers (HCWs) were at the front lines. The Puerto Rico Department of Health confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in March 2020. We aimed to assess whether COVID-19 preventive measures implemented by HCWs were effective in a work scenario before vaccine availability. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from July to December 2020 to evaluate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene guidelines, and other measures taken by HCWs to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. We collected nasopharyngeal specimens for molecular testing at the beginning of the study and follow-up. We recruited 62 participants aged 30–59 (79% women). Participants recruited from hospitals, clinical laboratories, and private practice included medical technologists (33%), nurses (28%), respiratory therapists (2%), physicians (11%), and others (26%). Among our participants, nurses were at higher risk ( p < 0.05) of infection. We identified that 87% of participants followed the hygiene recommendation guidelines. In addition, all participants practiced handwashing or disinfection before or after caring for each patient. All participants tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 during the study period. On follow-up, all study participants reported being vaccinated against COVID-19. The implementation of PPE and hygiene measures showed high efficacy as a prevention method against SARS-CoV-2 infection when vaccines and treatment were not widely available in Puerto Rico.

Keywords: prevention; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; healthcare workers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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