Guia para Controle de Tuberculose em Instituições de Acolhimento para População em Situação de Rua / Guide to Tuberculosis Control in Reception Institutions for Population in Street Situation

Este guia se destina a profissionais que atuam, principalmente, nas Instituições de Acolhimento destinadas à População em Situação de Rua (PSR). Entretanto, vários conceitos e informações que serão apresentados aqui podem ser usados em outros espaços de acolhimento e de oferta de cuidados a esta população, como os de grupos informais e de organizações públicas, governamentais ou não-governamentais.

Evaluation of Aids and Hepatitis-B knowledge and job satisfaction among hairdressers and barbers in Turkey

Blood-borne viruses, includingthe human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus, have certain common epidemiological characteristics and these viruses infect millions of people worldwide. This study aimed to determine the job satisfaction and the level of knowledge and practices regarding infectious diseases of employees working as hairdressers and barbers.This descriptive and cross-sectional study comprised 1200 hairdressers and barbers. The study sample comprised 628 people who consented to participate in the study. The mean age of the participants who participated in the study was 28, 13 ± 6. 9 years. The mean job satisfaction score of the participants was 3.85 ± 0.58. The job satisfaction score was found to be higher among those with sufficient knowledge of hepatitis B (p < 0.005). Employees should be provided performance trainings to achieve job satisfaction. It is recommended that employees be encouraged to wear gloves and gowns to protect their health and prevent contamination.

Adaptação cultural e validação da reason of using face masks cale para brasileiros / Adaptación cultural y validación de la reason of using face mask scale para brasileños / Cultural adaptation and validation of the reason of using face mask scale for brazilians

RESUMO Objetivo: realizar a tradução, adaptação cultural e validação da Reason of Using Face Mask Scale entre brasileiros. Métodos: estudo metodológico realizado entre abril e maio de 2020 mediante as seguintes etapas: tradução; síntese das traduções; retrotradução; comitê de juízes; pré-teste e avaliação das propriedades psicométricas. A coleta dos dados foi online a partir de mensagens enviadas por meio de mídias sociais. O questionário foi disponibilizado a partir de um link e os dados armazenados no Google Forms. Utilizou-se a Análise Fatorial Exploratória, testes de Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin e de Esfericidade de Bartlett para constatar se a amostra era adequada e passível de fatoração. Resultados: a escala foi traduzida para o português, avaliada por cinco especialistas, pré-testada com 20 adultos e aplicada em 500 pessoas da população brasileira. O índice de validade de conteúdo para a escala como um todo foi de 0,92. Os valores de Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (0,639) e teste de esfericidade de Bartlett (p=0,000) indicaram que os itens eram fatoráveis. A variância explicada foi de 62,18%. Na validade de construto por grupos distintos, obteve-se resultado satisfatório (p<0,05). Conclusão: a Versão Brasileira da escalafoi adaptada para a cultura brasileira, sendo válida para avaliar os motivos para o uso de máscaras entre brasileiros.

RESUMEN Objetivo: realizar la traducción, adaptación cultural y validación de la Reason ofUsingFaceMaskScale entre brasileños. Métodos: estudio metodológico realizado entre abril y mayo de 2020 a través de las siguientes etapas: traducción; síntesis de las traducciones; retrotraducción; evaluación por jueces; pretest y evaluación de las propiedades psicométricas. La recolección de datos se realizó online a partir de mensajes enviados a través de redes sociales. La encuesta se hizo disponible a partir de un enlace y los datos almacenados en Google Forms. Se utilizó el Análisis Factorial Exploratorio, pruebas de Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin y de Esfericidad de Bartlett para determinar si la muestra era adecuada y susceptible a la factorización. Resultados: la escala fue traducida al portugués, evaluada por cinco especialistas, pre-testada con 20 adultos y aplicada en 500 personas de la población brasileña. El índice de validez del contenido para la escala como un todo fue de 0,92. Los valores de Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (0,639) y test de esfericidad de Bartlett (p=0,000) indicaron que los ítems eran susceptibles a la factorización. La varianza explicada fue de 62,18%. En la validez de constructo por grupos distintos se obtuvo resultado satisfactorio (p<0,05). Conclusión: la Versión Brasileña de la escala fue adaptada para la cultura brasileña yes válida para evaluar los motivos para el uso de máscaras entre brasileños.

ABSTRACT Objective: to carry out the translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the Reason of Using Face Mask Scale among Brazilians. Methods: methodological study conducted between April and May 2020 using the following steps: translation; synthesis of translations; back-translation; committee of judges; pre-test and evaluation of psychometric properties. Data collection took place online from messages sent through social media. The questionnaire was made available from a link and the data stored in Google Forms. Exploratory Factor Analysis, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and Bartlett's Sphericity tests were used to check if the sample was adequate and factorable. Results: the scale was translated into Portuguese, evaluated by five experts, pre-tested with 20 adults and applied to 500 people from the Brazilian population. The content validity index for the scale as a whole was 0.92. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (0.639) and Bartlett's Sphericity test (p=0.000) values indicated that the items were factorable. The explained variance was 62.18%. In the construct validity for different groups, a satisfactory result was obtained (p<0.05). Conclusion: the Brazilian Version of the scale was adapted to the Brazilian culture and is valid to evaluate the reasons for the use of masks among Brazilians.

Role of polymeric materials in preventing COVID-19 infection.

The safety of personal protective equipment (PPE) is very important, and so is the choice of materials used. The ability of electrostatic charges (ESCs) generated from the friction of engineered materials to attract or repel viruses has a significant impact on their applications. This study examined the ESCs generated on the surface of PPE used by healthcare workers to enhance their potential effectiveness in protecting the wearer from viruses. This is a crucial consideration for the newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has a negative charge. The magnitudes and signs of generated ESCs on the surfaces of the PPE were determined experimentally using an Ultra Stable Surface DC Voltmeter. The high negative ESCs acquired by the polyethylene disposable cap and facemask are expected to repel negatively charged viruses and prevent them from adhering to the outer layer of the material. Also, the choice of polypropylene for facemasks and gowns is excellent because it is an aggressively negatively charged material in the triboelectric series. This property guarantees that facemasks and gowns can repel viruses from the wearer. However, the positive ESCs generated on latex glove surfaces are of great concern because they can attract negatively charged viruses and create a source of infection. In conclusion, it is necessary to ensure that PPE be made of materials whose surfaces develop a negative ESC to repel viruses, as well as to select polyethylene gloves.

Does COVID-19 Affect Survival and Functional Outcome in Emergency and Urgent Neurosurgical Procedures? A Single-Center Prospective Experience During the Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To assess organizational and technical difficulties of neurosurgical procedures during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and their possible impact on survival and functional outcome and to evaluate virological exposure risk of medical personnel. METHODS: Data for all urgent surgical procedures performed in the COVID-19 operating room were prospectively collected. Preoperative and postoperative variables included demographics, pathology, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) and neurological status at admission, type and duration of surgical procedures, length of stay, postoperative KPS and functional outcome comparison, and destination at discharge. We defined 5 classes of pathologies (traumatic, oncological, vascular, infection, hydrocephalus) and 4 surgical categories (burr hole, craniotomy, cerebrospinal fluid shunting, spine surgery). Postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection was checked in all the operators. RESULTS: We identified 11 traumatic cases (44%), 4 infections (16%), 6 vascular events (24%), 2 hydrocephalus conditions (8%), and 2 oncological cases (8%). Surgical procedures included 11 burr holes (44%), 7 craniotomies (28%), 6 cerebrospinal fluid shunts (24%), and 1 spine surgery (4%). Mean patient age was 57.8 years. The most frequent clinical presentation was coma (44 cases). Mean KPS score at admission was 20 ± 10, mean surgery duration was 85 ± 63 minutes, and mean length of stay was 27 ± 12 days. Mean KPS score at discharge was 35 ± 25. Outcome comparison showed improvement in 16 patients. Four patients died. Mean follow-up was 6 ± 3 months. None of the operators developed postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized protocols are mandatory to guarantee a high standard of care for emergency and urgent surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personal protective equipment affects maneuverability, dexterity, and duration of interventions without affecting survival and functional outcome.

Bronchoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic: effect on current practices and strategies to reduce procedure-associated transmission.

Introduction: Bronchoscopy and related procedures have unambiguously been affected during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2 (SARS COV-2). Ordinary bronchoscopy practices and lung cancer services might have changed over this pandemic and for the years to come.Areas covered: This manuscript summarizes the utility of bronchoscopy in COVID-19 patients, and the impact of the pandemic in lung cancer diagnostic services, in view of possible viral spread during these We conducted a literature review of articles published in PubMed/Medline from inception to November 5th, 2020 using relevant terms.Expert opinion: Without doubt this pandemic has changed the way bronchoscopy and related procedures are being performed. Mandatory universal personal protective equipment, pre-bronchoscopy PCR tests, dedicated protective barriers and disposable bronchoscopes might be the safest and simpler way to perform even the most complicated procedures.

A hybrid model integrating warm heat and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation might efficiently disinfect respirators and personal protective equipment.

BACKGROUND: The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has taken a heavy toll on human life and has upended the medical system in many countries. The disease has created a system wide worsening shortage of N95, medical masks, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) that is regularly used by healthcare personnel and emergency service providers for their protection. AIM: Considering the number of infected patients and the stressed supplies of PPE, reuse of PPE can serve as an efficient contingency plan. Multiple studies have investigated the effect of different decontamination methods. METHODS: We chose the most user-friendly, easily scalable viral decontamination methods, including ultraviolet irradiation and heat treatment. In this paper, we investigated a unique approach to reuse the mask by creating a hybrid model that efficiently sanitizes the infected mask. RESULTS: The advantages of the proposed hybrid model as compared to the respective single arms is its decontamination efficacy, operational speed, as well as the number of reuse cycles as verified by mathematical analysis and simulation. This model is mainly intended for medical PPE but can also be used for other domestic and personal sanitization during the COVID-19 pandemic. As per the situation, the hybrid system can be used as standalone systems also. This sanitization process is not only limited to the elimination of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 but can be extended to any other infectious agents. Thus, our results indicate that the proposed hybrid system is more effective, meets disinfection criterion and time saving for the reuse of respirators and PPE.

Locally produced personal protective equipment can offer hospital staff protection against Covid-19 if combined with surgical masks and rigorous personal protective equipment cleaning routine.

Locally made, washable and reusable personal protective equipment (PPE), used in combination with N95 masks that were reused safely, has proven to be a viable alternative to disposable gowns and caps for hospital staff in low- and middle-income countries. Muhimbili University Hospital's children's cancer ward in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, developed locally made PPE and created rigorous cleaning and disinfecting protocols, when the daily use of imported, disposable materials were not an option. These items continue to protect staff, children and parents. The novel PPE approach was able to prevent staff from becoming infected during the pandemic despite the fact that several parents, and subsequently their children, became infected with Covid-19 during cancer treatment at the facility.

Quantification of Aerosol Concentrations During Endonasal Instrumentation in the Clinic Setting.

OBJECTIVE: Recent anecdotal reports and cadaveric simulations have described aerosol generation during endonasal instrumentation, highlighting a possible risk for transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during endoscopic endonasal instrumentation. This study aims to provide a greater understanding of particle generation and exposure risk during endoscopic endonasal instrumentation. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective quantification of aerosol generation during office-based nasal endoscopy procedures. METHODS: Using an optical particle sizer, airborne particles concentrations 0.3 to 10 microns in diameter, were measured during 30 nasal endoscopies in the clinic setting. Measurements were taken at time points throughout diagnostic and debridement endoscopies and compared to preprocedure and empty room particle concentrations. RESULTS: No significant change in airborne particle concentrations was measured during diagnostic nasal endoscopies in patients without the need for debridement. However, significant increases in mean particle concentration compared to preprocedure levels were measured during cold instrumentation at 2,462 particles/foot3 (95% CI 837 to 4,088; P = .005) and during suction use at 2,973 particle/foot3 (95% CI 1,419 to 4,529; P = .001). In total, 99.2% of all measured particles were ≤1 µm in diameter. CONCLUSION: When measured with an optical particle sizer, diagnostic nasal endoscopy with a rigid endoscope is not associated with increased particle aerosolization in patient for whom sinonasal debridement is not needed. In patients needing sinonasal debridement, endonasal cold and suction instrumentation were associated with increased particle aerosolization, with a trend observed during endoscope use prior to tissue manipulation. Endonasal debridement may potentially pose a higher risk for aerosolization and SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Appropriate personal protective equipment use and patient screening are recommended for all office-based endonasal procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:E1415-E1421, 2021.

Two-drape closed pocket technique: minimizing aerosolization in mastoid exploration during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Mastoidectomy is associated with extensive bone-drilling which makes it a major aerosol generating procedure. Considering the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, it is essential to devise methods to minimize aerosolization and hence ensure safety of the healthcare workers during the operative procedure. METHODS: Two disposable surgical drapes are used to create a closed pocket prior to commencement of mastoid bone-drilling. This limits aerosolization of bone-dust in the external operating theatre environment. CONCLUSION: Two-drape closed pocket technique is an easy, cost-effective and safe method to limit aerosolization of tissue particles during mastoidectomy.

Elementos de protección y nivel de contagio de Covid 19 en el personal sanitario que labora en un hospital ecuatoriano / Elements of protection and level of Covid 19 in the sanitary personnel working in an Ecuadorian hospital

INTRODUCCIÓN: el COVID-19 es una afección ocasionada por el SARS COV2 que ha tenido grandes repercusiones en la salud de la población a nivel mundial, principalmente en la población vulnerable, entre los cuales se encuentra el personal de salud, ya que están en la primera línea de atención en las unidades de salud, es por ello que se ven en la necesidad del uso del equipo de protección personal para disminuir el nivel de riesgo de contagio. OBJETIVO: identificar los elementos de protección y el nivel de contagio de COVID-19 en el personal de Salud que labor en los Hospitales Ecuatorianos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: el actual estudio es de alcance descriptivo, enfoque cuantitativo, en un periodo de tiempo determinado, con una muestra del estudio de 218 trabajadores entre médicos, enfermeros y auxiliares a los cuales se les aplico la encuesta virtual. RESULTADOS: el 95.9% recibió mascarilla N95,76.6 % overol, 87.2%zapatones, 86.2 % las gafas, 91.7 % gorro, 93,1% guantes y 56,9% protector facial, el 96.3 % menciona que ha recibido capacitación sobre el uso de Equipo de Protección Personal (EPP) por parte de la institución, el 76.6 %del personal refieren haber presentado signos y síntomas de COVID-19, el 63.1 % de los resultados de prueba rápida fue positivos y la prueba de hisopado nasofaríngeo el 32,7 % tuvieron un resultaron positivo y 45,7% aún se encuentran en espera de los resultados. CONCLUSIONES: los elementos de protección que recibieron por parte de la Institución, en la pandemia de COVID-19 fueron: mascarilla N95, overol, zapatones, gafas, protector facial, gorro y guantes para la atención de los pacientes en el área hospitalaria, además de obtener capacitaciones acerca del uso correcto del EPP. Sin embargo, el nivel de contagio es elevado según las pruebas positivas rápidas e hisopado nasofaríngeo.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is a condition caused by SARS COV2 that has had great repercussions on the health of the population worldwide, mainly on the vulnerable population, among which are health personnel, since they are on the front line. Care in health units, that is why they are in need of the use of personal protective equipment to reduce the level of risk of infection. OBJECTIVE: to identify the protection elements and the level of contagion of COVID-19 in the Health personnel who work at the Ecuadorians Hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: the current study is descriptive in scope, quantitative approach, in a given period of time, with a sample of the study of 218 workers including doctors, nurses and assistants to whom the virtual survey was applied. RESULTS: 95.9% received N95 mask, 76.6% overalls, 87.2% sneakers, 86.2% glasses, 91.7% hat, 93.1% gloves and 56.9% face protector, 96.3% mention that they have received training on the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by the institution, 76.6% of the staff report having presented signs and symptoms of COVID-19, 63.1% of the rapid test results were positive and the nasopharyngeal swab test was 32, 7% had a positive result and 45.7% are still awaiting the results. CONCLUSIONS: the protection elements received by the Institution in the COVID-19 pandemic were: N95 mask, overalls, shoes, glasses, face shield, hat and gloves for patient care in the hospital area, in addition to obtain training on the correct use o PPE. However, the level of infection is high according to rapid positive tests and nasopharyngeal swab.

UVC Germicidal Units: Determination of Dose Received and Parameters to be Considered for N95 Respirator Decontamination and Reuse.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an international shortage of personal protective equipment including N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs), resulting in many institutions using ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) technology for N95 FFR decontamination. To ensure proper decontamination, it is crucial to determine the dose received by various parts of the FFR in this process. Recently, our group customized a UVGI unit for N95 decontamination. With experimental and theoretical approach, this manuscript discusses the minimum dose received by various parts of the N95 respirator after one complete decontamination cycle with this UVGI unit. The results demonstrate that all parts of the N95 FFR received at least 1 J cm-2 after one complete decontamination cycle with this unit. As there are a variety of UVGI devices and different types of FFRs, this study provides a model by which UVC dose received by different areas of the FFRs can be accurately assessed to ensure proper decontamination for the safety of healthcare providers.

Reducing potential aerosol generation in flexible nasolaryngoscopy: a novel method.

BACKGROUND: Fibre-optic nasoendoscopy and fibre-optic laryngoscopy are high-risk procedures in the coronavirus disease 2019 era, as they are potential aerosol-generating procedures. Barrier protection remains key to preventing transmission. METHODS: A device was developed that patients can wear to reduce potential aerosol contamination of the surroundings. CONCLUSION: This device is simple, reproducible, easy to use, economical and well-tolerated. Full personal protection equipment should additionally be worn by the operator.

Filtration Efficiencies of Nanoscale Aerosol by Cloth Mask Materials Used to Slow the Spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Filtration efficiency (FE), differential pressure (ΔP), quality factor (QF), and construction parameters were measured for 32 cloth materials (14 cotton, 1 wool, 9 synthetic, 4 synthetic blends, and 4 synthetic/cotton blends) used in cloth masks intended for protection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus (diameter 100 ± 10 nm). Seven polypropylene-based fiber filter materials were also measured including surgical masks and N95 respirators. Additional measurements were performed on both multilayered and mixed-material samples of natural, synthetic, or natural-synthetic blends to mimic cloth mask construction methods. Materials were microimaged and tested against size selected NaCl aerosol with particle mobility diameters between 50 and 825 nm. Three of the top five best performing samples were woven 100% cotton with high to moderate yarn counts, and the other two were woven synthetics of moderate yarn counts. In contrast to recently published studies, samples utilizing mixed materials did not exhibit a significant difference in the measured FE when compared to the product of the individual FE for the components. The FE and ΔP increased monotonically with the number of cloth layers for a lightweight flannel, suggesting that multilayered cloth masks may offer increased protection from nanometer-sized aerosol with a maximum FE dictated by breathability (i.e., ΔP).

Endonasal instrumentation and aerosolization risk in the era of COVID-19: simulation, literature review, and proposed mitigation strategies.

BACKGROUND: International experience with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) suggests it poses a significant risk of infectious transmission to skull base surgeons, due to high nasal viral titers and the unknown potential for aerosol generation during endonasal instrumentation. The purpose of this study was to simulate aerosolization events over a range of endoscopic procedures to obtain an evidence-based aerosol risk assessment. METHODS: Aerosolization was simulated in a cadaver using fluorescein solution (0.2 mg per 10 mL) and quantified using a blue-light filter and digital image processing. Outpatient sneezing during endoscopy was simulated using an intranasal atomizer in the presence or absence of intact and modified surgical mask barriers. Surgical aerosolization was simulated during nonpowered instrumentation, suction microdebrider, and high-speed drilling after nasal fluorescein application. RESULTS: Among the outpatient conditions, a simulated sneeze event generated maximal aerosol distribution at 30 cm, extending to 66 cm. Both an intact surgical mask and a modified VENT mask (which enables endoscopy) eliminated all detectable aerosol spread. Among the surgical conditions, cold instrumentation and microdebrider use did not generate detectable aerosols. Conversely, use of a high-speed drill produced significant aerosol contamination in all conditions tested. CONCLUSION: We confirm that aerosolization presents a risk to the endonasal skull base surgeon. In the outpatient setting, use of a barrier significantly reduces aerosol spread. Cold surgical instrumentation and microdebrider use pose significantly less aerosolization risk than a high-speed drill. Procedures requiring drill use should carry a special designation as an "aerosol-generating surgery" to convey this unique risk, and this supports the need for protective personal protective equipment.

Conservation of personal protective equipment for head and neck cancer surgery during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). This study aims to stratify face shield needs when performing head and neck cancer surgery. METHODS: Fifteen patients underwent surgery between March 1, 2020 and April 9, 2020. Operative diagnosis and procedure; droplet count and distribution on face shields were documented. RESULTS: Forty-five surgical procedures were performed for neck nodal metastatic carcinoma of unknown origin (n = 3); carcinoma of tonsil (n = 2), tongue (n = 2), nasopharynx (n = 3), maxilla (n = 1), and laryngopharynx (n = 4). Droplet contamination was 57.8%, 59.5%, 8.0%, and 0% for operating, first and second assistant surgeons, and scrub nurse respectively. Droplet count was highest and most widespread during osteotomies. No droplet splash was noted for transoral robotic surgery. CONCLUSION: Face shield is not a mandatory adjunctive PPE for all head and neck surgical procedures and health care providers. Judicious use helps to conserve resources during such difficult times.

Infection Prevention Measures for Surgical Procedures during a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Outbreak in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South Korea.

In 2015, we experienced the largest in-hospital Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak outside the Arabian Peninsula. We share the infection prevention measures for surgical procedures during the unexpected outbreak at our hospital. We reviewed all forms of related documents and collected information through interviews with healthcare workers of our hospital. After the onset of outbreak, a multidisciplinary team devised institutional MERS-control guidelines. Two standard operating rooms were converted to temporary negative-pressure rooms by physically decreasing the inflow air volume (-4.7 Pa in the main room and -1.2 Pa in the anteroom). Healthcare workers were equipped with standard or enhanced personal protective equipment according to the MERS-related patient's profile and symptoms. Six MERS-related patients underwent emergency surgery, including four MERS-exposed and two MERS-confirmed patients. Negative conversion of MERS-CoV polymerase chain reaction tests was noticed for MERS-confirmed patients before surgery. MERS-exposed patients were also tested twice preoperatively, all of which were negative. All operative procedures in MERS-related patients were performed without specific adverse events or perioperative MERS transmission. Our experience with setting up a temporary negative-pressure operation room and our conservative approach for managing MERS-related patients can be referred in cases of future unexpected MERS outbreaks in non-endemic countries.

Guía de práctica clínica hospitalaria: elementos de protección personal y testeo prequirúrgico de pacientes asintomáticos para prevención de la diseminación de SARS-CoV2 en el ámbito quirúrgico en cirugía de urgencia / Clinical practice guideline: elements of personal protection and pre-surgical testing of asymptomatic patients for prevention of the spread of SARS-CoV2 in the surgical field in emergency surgery

En epidemias de enfermedades altamente infecciosas como el COVID-19, de transmisión a través de gotas expulsadas por la boca de la persona infectada, los trabajadores de la salud tienen un riesgo mayor de infección que la población en general, debido a su contacto con fluidos corporales y aerosoles generados por los pacientes. La existencia de un porcentaje que podría llegar a ser de hasta un 50 %, de portadores asintomáticos con capacidad de contagio, preocupa al momento de planificar la atención quirúrgica. Con el objetivo de desarrollar la presente guía, se realizó una síntesis y valoración crítica de la evidencia disponible sobre el tema, con el fin de responder determinadas preguntas clínicas (utilización de barbijo N95 vs barbijo quirúrgico en cirugía, realización de test diagnóstico para SARS-CoV2 previo a cirugía) utilizando metodología GRADE. La mascarilla N95 podría ser beneficiosa en el personal que realiza procedimientos que favorecen la aerosolización del virus, tales como traqueostomía y ventilación manual con bolsa de autoinsuflación previo a la intubación, entre otros. El testeo del paciente, previo a una cirugía, puede ser considerado en escenarios en los que existe disponibilidad de la de terminación. Es necesario evaluar la complejidad de la cirugía, evitando que el retraso causado por la realización de la prueba resulte en daño para el paciente. El conjunto de recomendaciones debe ser implementado teniendo en cuenta el recurso disponible de equipos de protección personal, las características de las intervenciones quirúrgicas (procedimientos que generen aerosoles) y el tipo de circulación viral en la población general (existencia de transmisión comunitaria). (AU)

In epidemics of highly contagious diseases such as COVID-19, transmitted through drops expelled from the infected person's mouth, health care workers have a higher risk of infection than the general population, due to their contact with fluidsand patient-generated aerosols. The existence of a percentage that could be up to 50 % of asymptomatic carriers with contagion capacity, worries when planning surgical care. To develop an evidence-based protocol, a synthesis and critical evaluation of the evidence was carried out in order to answer clinical questions (use of N95 chinstrap versus surgical chin during surgery, diagnostic test for SARS-CoV2 before surgery) using the GRADE methodology. The N95 mask could be beneficial for personnel who perform procedures that favor the aerosolization of the virus, such as tracheostomy and manual ventilation with a self-inflating bag before intubation, among others. The testing of patients prior to surgery can be evaluated in scenarios where the inputs for making determinations are available. It is necessary to evaluate the complexity of the surgery, avoiding that the delay caused by the test results in harm to the patient. (AU)