Are mobile phones part of the chain of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in hospital settings?

Mobile phones (MPs) have become an important work tool around the world including in hospitals. We evaluated whether SARS-CoV-2 can remain on the surface of MPs of first-line healthcare workers (HCW) and also the knowledge of HCWs about SARS-CoV-2 cross-transmission and conceptions on the virus survival on the MPs of HCWs. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit of a teaching hospital. An educational campaign was carried out on cross-transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and its permanence in fomites, in addition to the proper use and disinfection of MPs. Herewith an electronic questionnaire was applied including queried conceptions about hand hygiene and care with MP before and after the pandemic. The MPs were swabbed with a nylon FLOQ Swab™, in an attempt to increase the recovery of SARS-CoV-2. All MP swab samples were subjected to SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR; RT-PCR positive samples were subjected to viral culture in Vero cells (ATCC® CCL-81™). Fifty-one MPs were swabbed and a questionnaire on hand hygiene and the use and disinfection of MP was applied after an educational campaign. Most HCWs increased adherence to hand hygiene and MP disinfection during the pandemic. Fifty-one MP swabs were collected and two were positive by RT-PCR (4%), with Cycle threshold (Ct ) values of 34-36, however, the cultures of these samples were negative. Although most HCWs believed in the importance of cross-transmission and increased adherence to hand hygiene and disinfection of MP during the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in MPs. Our results suggest the need for a universal policy in infection control guidelines on how to care for electronic devices in hospital settings.

Análise de 10 anos de casos de queimaduras por álcool com necessidade de internação em hospital quaternário / Analysis of 10 years for alcohol burn cases requiring hospitalization in a quaternary hospital

Objetivo: A queimadura por álcool representa um grave problema de saúde pública devido a sua alta prevalência na nossa sociedade, gerando altos custos e sequelas irreversíveis. Medidas preventivas são necessárias para reduzir o impacto que esse tipo de queimadura acarreta, contudo o conhecimento do perfil epidemiológico desse tipo de queimadura é importante para a adequada elaboração dessas medidas. O estudo apresenta como objetivo demonstrar o perfil epidemiológico das internações por queimadura por álcool durante um período de 10 anos. Método: Foram analisados os dados dos pacientes internados durante o ano de 2001 até 2011. Resultados: Observou-se alta prevalência da queimadura por álcool durante o período, com acometimento de indivíduos mais jovens. Não foi evidenciada mudança no número de casos por anos durante esse período e obtiveram-se índices elevados de óbitos por esse tipo de queimadura. Os pacientes que receberam o primeiro atendimento em serviço especializado de queimadura foram os que tiveram maior sobrevida. Conclusões: O álcool, atualmente, é um dos principais causadores de queimaduras na nossa sociedade, provocando morbidades e mortalidades. Medidas preventivas, educacionais e legislativas são necessárias para conseguir uma mudança no cenário atual. Estudos epidemiológicos são importantes, pois oferecem um panorama desse tipo de injúria, direcionando as medidas preventivas.

Objective: The alcohol-burning is a serious public health problem due to its high prevalence in our society, generating high costs and irreversible sequelae. Preventive measures are needed to reduce the impact that this type of burn causes, therefore, the knowledge of the epidemiological profile of this type of burn is important for proper development of such measures. The present study aimed to demonstrate the epidemiological profile of hospitalizations for burns caused by alcohol flame during a period of 10 years. Methods: We analyzed data of patients hospitalized during the years 2001 to 2011, submitting the data to statistical analysis. Results: It was observed a high prevalence of burns caused by alcohol flame, involving mainly young patients. No change was seen in the number of cases per year during this period. A high rate of mortality was associated with this type of burn. Patients who received first care in a Burn Center were those who had the highest survival rate. Conclusions: Alcohol is now a major cause of burns in our society, causing morbidity and mortality. Preventive, educational and legislative measures are necessary to achieve a change in the current scenario. Epidemiological studies are important because they provide an overview of this type of injury, directing preventive measures.