[Description of an intervention to prevent pressure-induced skin lesions caused by personal protective equipment (PPE) during the care of patients with COVID-19]. / Descripción de una intervención para prevenir lesiones cutáneas por presión provocadas por los equipos de protección personal (EPIs) durante la atención de pacientes con COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a strategy designed to avoid pressure-related skin lesions related to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). METHODS: This was a prospective descriptive observational study. STUDY POPULATION: healthcare professionals at the Parc Salut Mar (Barcelona) who used PPE for protection against COVID-19 between March 30 and June 15, 2020. INTERVENTION: Each professional was provided with an individual kit to prevent PPE-induced lesions, friction, or moisture. A multidisciplinary surveillance team was deployed for the early detection of these adverse events. RESULTS: Individual kits were provided to 1044 professionals, 32 of whom were scheduled for in-person medical assessments. Six participants (0.57%) developed Stage III or IV pressure ulcers, 24 (2.3%) had dermatitis, folliculitis, eczema and two participants did not show for their appointments. The overall rate of pressure ulcers was 0.57%; for dermatitis it was 2.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of preventive measures appears to be effective in preventing facial pressure ulcers induced by EPIs among healthcare professionals. Our resultsalso underscore the importance of expanding preventive measures to include not only pressure ulcers but also dermatitis.

Objetivos: Describir los resultados de una estrategia diseñada para evitar lesiones cutáneas por presión relacionadas con la utilización de los equipos de protección individual (EPIs). Metodología: Estudio descriptivo observacional prospectivo realizado entre marzo y junio de 2020 en profesionales del Parc de Salut Mar (PSMAR) que utilizaron EPIs en áreas de pacientes diagnosticados de COVID-19. Un servicio de vigilancia multidisciplinar se activó con el fin de realizar una detección precoz. Se suministró de forma individualizada a 1044 profesionales materiales para prevención de lesiones por presión, fricción y humedad de los EPIs sobre la piel de la cara. Resultados: De todos los profesionales, 32 fueron citados para una valoración presencial por lesiones: 6 presentaron úlceras por presión en estadios III y IV, 24 dermatitis, foliculitis y eczemas. La tasa de presentación de úlceras fue del 0,57% y la de dermatitis del 2,30% de la población de estudio. Conclusión: Los resultados de la aplicación de las medidas especificadas indican que han sido eficaces para prevenir úlceras por presión en la región de la cara provocadas por los EPIs. La adopción de medidas de prevención no solo para prevenir ulceras por presión sino para la prevención de dermatitis se hacen imprescindibles en situaciones en las que se requiere el uso continuado de EPIs en la región de la cara.

Infectious and non-infectious diseases burden among Haitian immigrants in Chile: a cross-sectional study.

Chile has become a popular destination for migrants from South America and the Caribbean (low- and middle-income countries migration). Close to 200.000 Haitian migrants have arrived in Chile. Infectious and non-infectious disease burden among the Haitian adult population living in Chile is unknown. This study aimed to acquire the basic health information (selected transmissible and non-transmissible conditions) of the Haitian adult population living in Chile. A cross-sectional survey was performed, inviting Haitian-born residents in Chile older than 18 years old. Common conditions and risk factors for disease were assessed, as well as selected transmissible conditions (HIV, HBV, and HCV). 498 participants (60.4% female) from 10 communities in two regions of Chile were surveyed. Most subjects had never smoked (91.5%), and 80% drank less than one alcohol unit per month. The mean BMI was 25.6, with 45% of participants having a normal BMI (20-25). Hypertension was present in 31.5% (33% in the 25-44 age group). Prevalence of HIV was 2.4% (95 CI 1.3-4.2%), hepatitis B (HBsAg positive) was 3.4% (95 CI 2.1-5.5%), and hepatitis C was 0% (95 CI 0.0-0.9%). Quality of life showed a significant prevalence of depression and anxiety markers, particularly in those arriving in Chile less than 1 year ago. Low prevalence of obesity, diabetes, smoking, and drinking and estimated cardiovascular risk were found. Nonetheless, hypertension at a younger age, disproportionately higher prevalence of HIV and HBV infection and frequent markers of anxiety and depression were also found. Public policies for detecting and treating hypertension, HIV, and HBV screening, offering HBV vaccination, and organizing mental health programs for Haitian immigrants, are urgently needed.