COVID-19 among healthcare workers in a specialist infectious diseases setting in Naples, Southern Italy: results of a cross-sectional surveillance study.

A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance study was performed in March-April 2020 among asymptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) at a specialist infectious diseases hospital in Naples, Italy. All HCWs underwent two rounds of molecular and serological testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). One hundred and fifteen HCWs were tested; of these, two cases of infection were identified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and two HCWs were SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G seropositive. The overall prevalence of current or probable previous infection was 3.4%. The infection rate among HCWs was reasonably low. Most of the infected HCWs had been asymptomatic for the preceding 30 days, which supports the need for periodic screening of HCWs for COVID-19.

Prevalence surveys as part of a strategic plan to prevent healthcare associated infections. The experience of the University Hospital "Federico II" of Naples, Italy.

BACKGROUND: The care-associated infections (HAI) are the most serious complication associated with medical care. They are the cause of diseases for patients and economic damage to public health. The University "Federico II" of Naples decided to monitor the HAI, repeating the prevalence survey conducted earlier in 2011 in order to analyze the phenomenon of infection and to evaluate the possible correlation with risk factors. METHODS: The Survey was conducted according to ECDC criteria. Considered that the study carried out in 2011 was conducted following the same methodology, to compare the results of the year 2012 the prevalence rates of both years were standardized. FINDINGS: For the year 2012, the number of patients enrolled in the study and stratification of patients by age and sex were similar to data collected in 2011. It was very interesting to find the prevalence of HAI standardized reduced in 2012 compared to 2011. As a matter of fact, in fact, that the standardized prevalence of HAI for the year 2012 was 3.1%, one percentage point lower than in 2011 (4.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The practical training and direct regarded as the most appropriate approach in order to make health professionals aware in the field of health care-associated infections, as well as the system of selfcontrol peripheral for the correct application of the procedures, as well as epidemiological surveillance active, measured through rates of incidence, at the same time allow the monitoring of the phenomenon is infectious and the application of corrective measures that prevent its onset. The choice to make again an epidemiological study of prevalence with the same methodology ensures, in fact, two advantages: the comparability of the data, both at intra-company both at regional, national and international evaluation of the effectiveness of corrective actions.

Prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections in the University Hospital Federico II of Naples, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) are the most serious complication associated with health care. They cause diseases for patients and economic damage for Public Health. A prevalence survey at the University Hospital "Federico II" of Naples was conducted according to ECDC criteria in order to analyze the infectious phenomenon of healthcare assistance and assess possible correlations with risk factors as healthcare procedure and clinical condition of patients. METHODS: Were enrolled 450 patients. The collected data were then analyzed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: It was found a prevalence rate of infections of 9.3%, with a prevalence rate of HAI of 4.4%. Statistical analysis showed correlation between HAI and ultimately-fatal-disease (P <0.04) and between HAI and the use of invasive devices as CVC (P<0.005), PVC (P<0.004) and intubation (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological surveillance strategies are part of preventive measures and monitoring of the HAI, implemented to ensure safety and quality of care.