Facial Hair Decreases Fit Factor of Masks and Respirators in Healthcare Providers.

In response to the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers are using common surgical masks and filtering respirators in conjunction with the presence of facial hair, which could lead to a large number of particles passing into their respiratory system. The purpose of this study was to determine the fit factor effectiveness of filtering respirators and surgical masks in bearded versus non-bearded healthcare providers. A controlled randomized clinical trial (NCT04391010) was carried out, analyzing a sample of 63 healthcare providers. The fit factors of surgical masks and FFP3 filtering respirators for healthcare providers with (n = 32) and without (n = 31) facial hair were compared. Fit factors were measured during an exercises protocol in which healthcare providers wore surgical masks and FFP3 filtering respirators. Surgical mask fit factor comparisons did not show significant differences (p > 0.05) between healthcare providers with and without facial hair. In contrast, filtering respirator fit factor comparisons showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) between both groups, indicating that healthcare providers with facial hair showed lower fit factor scores, which implies a worse fit factor with respect to healthcare providers without facial hair. The fit factor effectiveness of filtering respirators was reduced in healthcare providers with facial hair. The authors of this paper encourage healthcare providers to trim their beards during filtering respirator use or wear full-mask filtering facepiece respirators, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Los pacientes en hemodiálisis presentan peor equilibrio postural, que se relaciona con el riesgo de caídas / Haemodialysis patients have worse postural balance with an associated risk of falls

INTRODUCCIÓN: El equilibrio postural es el resultado de una compleja interacción de aferencias sensoriales que nos mantiene erguidos. Los pacientes en hemodiálisis presentan alteraciones que pueden generar inestabilidad postural y riesgo de caídas. Nuestro objetivo es analizar, mediante una plataforma de fuerzas, la estabilidad postural en pacientes hemodializados y su relación con el riesgo de caídas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo transversal. El balanceo postural se registró mediante una plataforma de fuerzas en los pacientes prevalentes en hemodiálisis. Se recogen datos epidemiológicos, de diálisis, analíticos y de tratamiento. La incidencia de caídas fue registrada durante los 6 meses siguientes a las pruebas. El análisis de la estabilidad postural se realizó con una plataforma portátil de galgas extensiométricas (AMTI AccuGait®) y una unidad de software específico para estabilometría (programa Balance Trainer®). Se determinan 31 parámetros de equilibrio; las variables de equilibrio utilizadas son: Area 95, AreaEffect, VyMax, Xrange y Yrange. Los estudios de estabilometría se realizan en 3 situaciones: con los ojos abiertos, con los ojos cerrados y mientras el paciente realiza una tarea simultánea. Se realiza un estudio al iniciar la sesión de diálisis y el segundo, al terminar. La estabilometría en condiciones semejantes se mide en un grupo control. RESULTADOS: Se estudian 32 pacientes, con una edad media de 68 años; 20 hombres y 12 mujeres. Su peso medio es de 74 kg y el IMC, de 27,6 kg/m2. En los controles no hay diferencias significativas en la estabilometría entre las 3 situaciones estudiadas. Los pacientes con los ojos cerrados, pre y poshemodiálisis, presentan más desequilibrio, con diferencias significativas con el resto de las situaciones y los controles. Después de la sesión de hemodiálisis se observa un aumento significativo de la inestabilidad. Se observa mayor inestabilidad en los 13 pacientes diabéticos (p < 0,05). Los 4 pacientes con hiponatremia (Na < 136 mmol/L) presentaban peor equilibrio en la situación de tarea simultánea (p= 0,038). Varios fármacos, como la insulina (p = 0,022), los antiagregantes (p = 0,036) y los betabloqueantes (p = 0,029), se relacionaban con el desequilibrio. Los 10 pacientes que sufrieron caídas presentaban mayor desequilibrio, Yrange, Xrange, Area 95 y AreaEffect, pre y poshemodiálisis (p < 0,05) que los que no tuvieron caídas. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes en hemodiálisis presentan alteraciones que pueden generar inestabilidad postural y riesgo de caídas. Programas de prevención que incluyan ejercicios específicos para mejorar el equilibrio podrían ser beneficiosos, reduciendo el riesgo de caídas en esta población

INTRODUCTION: Postural balance is the result of a complex interaction of sensory input which keeps us upright. Haemodialysis patients have alterations which can lead to postural instability and a risk of falls. Our objective was to analyse postural stability and its relationship with the risk of falls in haemodialysis patients using a force platform. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Postural balance was recorded using a force platform in prevalent haemodialysis patients. We collected epidemiological, dialysis, analytical and treatment data. The incidence of falls was recorded over the 6 months following the tests. The postural stability analysis was performed with a portable strain gauge platform (AMTI AccuGait®) and a specific software unit for stabilometry (Balance Trainer® program). We measured 31 balance parameters; the balance variables used were: Area95; AreaEffect; VyMax; Xrange and Yrange. The stabilometry studies were performed in 3 situations: with eyes open; with eyes closed; and with the patient performing a simultaneous task. We performed one study at the start of the dialysis session, and a second study at the end. Stabilometry was measured in a control group under similar conditions. RESULTS: We studied 32 patients with a mean age of 68 years old; of this group, 20 subjects were male and 12 were female. Their mean weight was 74kg, with a mean BMI of 27.6kg/m2. In the controls, there were no significant differences in the stabilometry between the 3 situations studied. Both pre- and post-haemodialysis, patients with closed eyes showed greater imbalance, and there were significant differences with the other situations and controls. We found a significant increase in instability after the haemodialysis session, and greater instability in the 13 patients with diabetes (P < .05). The 4 patients with hyponatraemia (Na < 136 mmol/l) had worse balance in the simultaneous task situation (P = .038). Various drugs, such as insulin (P = .022), antiplatelet agents (P =.036) and beta-blockers (P = .029), were associated with imbalance. The 10 patients who suffered falls had greater imbalance, Yrange, Xrange, Area 95 and AreaEffect, both pre- and post-haemodialysis (P < .05) than those without falls. CONCLUSIONS: Haemodialysis patients have alterations which can lead to postural instability and a risk of falls. Prevention programmes which include specific exercises to improve balance could be beneficial in reducing the risk of falls in this population

Haemodialysis patients have worse postural balance with an associated risk of falls. / Los pacientes en hemodiálisis presentan peor equilibrio postural, que se relaciona con el riesgo de caídas.

INTRODUCTION: Postural balance is the result of a complex interaction of sensory input which keeps us upright. Haemodialysis patients have alterations which can lead to postural instability and a risk of falls. Our objective was to analyse postural stability and its relationship with the risk of falls in haemodialysis patients using a force platform. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Postural balance was recorded using a force platform in prevalent haemodialysis patients. We collected epidemiological, dialysis, analytical and treatment data. The incidence of falls was recorded over the 6 months following the tests. The postural stability analysis was performed with a portable strain gauge platform (AMTI AccuGait®) and a specific software unit for stabilometry (Balance Trainer® program). We measured 31 balance parameters; the balance variables used were: Area95; AreaEffect; VyMax; Xrange and Yrange. The stabilometry studies were performed in 3 situations: with eyes open; with eyes closed; and with the patient performing a simultaneous task. We performed one study at the start of the dialysis session, and a second study at the end. Stabilometry was measured in a control group under similar conditions. RESULTS: We studied 32 patients with a mean age of 68 years old; of this group, 20 subjects were male and 12 were female. Their mean weight was 74kg, with a mean BMI of 27.6kg/m2. In the controls, there were no significant differences in the stabilometry between the 3 situations studied. Both pre- and post-haemodialysis, patients with closed eyes showed greater imbalance, and there were significant differences with the other situations and controls. We found a significant increase in instability after the haemodialysis session, and greater instability in the 13 patients with diabetes (P<.05). The 4 patients with hyponatraemia (Na<136mmol/l) had worse balance in the simultaneous task situation (P=.038). Various drugs, such as insulin (P=.022), antiplatelet agents (P=.036) and beta-blockers (P=.029), were associated with imbalance. The 10 patients who suffered falls had greater imbalance, Yrange, Xrange, Area95 and AreaEffect, both pre- and post-haemodialysis (P<.05) than those without falls. CONCLUSIONS: Haemodialysis patients have alterations which can lead to postural instability and a risk of falls. Prevention programmes which include specific exercises to improve balance could be beneficial in reducing the risk of falls in this population.

Effects of a visit prior to hospital admission on anxiety, depression and satisfaction of patients in an intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of a vists prior to hospital admission on anxiety, depression and satisfaction of patients admitted electively to an intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: A randomised clinical trial [NCT03605407]. SETTING: A sample of 38 patients was recruited who were to be electively admiited to ICU divided into experimental (n = 19 patients receiving one visit prior to hospital ICU admission for surgery) and control (n = 19 patients not receiving a visit prior to hospital ICU admission for surgery) groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) were self-reported by patients before ICU admission, at 3-days and 90-days after ICU discharge. Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI) and Family Satisfaction with Care in the Intensive Care Unit (FS-ICU) were used to measure the users' satisfaction before ICU admission and 3-days after ICU discharge. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between experimental and control groups for FS-ICU, but not for HADS, IES-R and CCFNI. Indeed, control group patients were more satisfied with regard to emotional support, ease of getting information, control feeling, concerns and questions expression ability and overall score for decision-making satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The visit prior to hospital admission did not seem to modify anxiety or depression, but may impair satisfaction of ICU patients.