Associated factors for fear of COVID-19 scale in long-term care settings in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) score and sociodemographic, health, emotional and behavioural factors, in a cross-sectional observational study in 447 older adults living in long-term care (LTC) settings in Madrid (Spain). METHODS: The sample was stratified by nursing home ownership, geographical location, and size. Multiple linear regression analysis was used using backward elimination to identify factors that explained associations with fear, and logistic regression models were used to examine its role as a predictor of adherence to preventive measures. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 83.8 years, most were female, had had COVID-19, and were worried about the pandemic. The average score of the FCV-19S was 18.36 (SD: 8.28; range: 7-35), and the variables associated in the multiple linear regression model (explained variance: 34.00%) were being female, lower level of education, satisfaction with life and the residential home, and higher worry about the pandemic. The logistic regression models showed that fear of COVID-19 was a predictor of adherence to preventive measures like wearing facemasks, washing hands, and avoiding physical contact. CONCLUSIONS: fear of COVID-19 was significantly related with sex and subjective factors as life satisfaction and worry; and it influences older people's preventive behaviour. Interventions aimed at reducing fear and promoting adherence to preventive measures would improve their mental health and well-being.

[Multiple PCR ALLPLEX TM ENTERO-DR for multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae management at Albacete University Hospital]. / Aplicación de la PCR múltiple ALLPLEX TM ENTERO-DR en un protocolo de aislamiento por enterobacterias multirresistentes en el Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete.

OBJECTIVE: Multi-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (MRE) are a public health threat, with screening and isolation strategies being important to stop its dissemination. Multiplex PCR is a novel method capable of rapid diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity. In this study, our objective was to evaluate its application to multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae management since its implementation in our hospital. METHODS: An observational retrospective descriptive study of multiplex PCR ALLPLEX TM ENTERO-DR results to screen inpatients colonized by MRE took place from November 2019 to May 2021. We calculated the percentage of positive, negative, non-identifiable or invalid results, identified microorganisms, reason for requesting it and subsequent actions. Median and I.R. from sampling time to partial and theoretical culture time, and since last colonization/infection depending on test results were calculated. RESULTS: Resistance mechanisms were detected in 31.47% of tests, being E. coli ESBL (68.99%) the most frequently isolated microorganism. Median time to partial result was 5.75 hours (I.R.: 2.67), having statistically significant differences with theoretical time. The most important reason to request the test was screening (80.12%) and the most frequent action taken was not to isolate (41.70 %). Whenever forty-nine months or more since last colonization/infection have passed, only 14.81% of the samples tested positive. CONCLUSIONS: Multiplex PCR is a useful test to manage colonized patients, capable of giving a rapid result and allowing for quicker decision-making, contributing to a good use of resources and patient comfort.

OBJECTIVE: Las enterobacterias multirresistentes (EBMR) suponen una amenaza para la Salud Pública, siendo el cribado y aislamiento de pacientes colonizados importante para evitar su diseminación. La PCR múltiple es una técnica novedosa, capaz de proporcionar un diagnóstico rápido con sensibilidad y especificidad altas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la aplicación de PCR múltiple en el protocolo de aislamiento por EBMR desde su implantación en nuestro centro. METHODS: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo y retrospectivo. Se analizaron los resultados del estudio de colonización por EBMR a pacientes hospitalizados, mediante PCR múltiple ALLPLEX TM ENTERO-DR, entre noviembre de 2019 y mayo de 2021. Se calcularon las frecuencias de resultado positivo, negativo, no interpretable o inválido, de microorganismos identificados, el motivo de petición y actuación posterior. Se calcularon la mediana y Rango Intercuartílico (R.I.) del tiempo desde el cribado hasta el resultado parcial y final. También se calcularon la mediana y R.I. desde el antecedente de colonización/infección según resultado de la prueba rápida. RESULTS: Se detectó mecanismo de resistencia en el 31,47% de las pruebas, siendo más frecuentemente aislado E. coli BLEE (68,99%). La mediana de tiempo hasta el resultado parcial fue de 5,75 horas (R.I.: 2,67), existiendo diferencias estadísticamente significativas con el tiempo de cultivo teórico. El motivo principal de petición fue cribado por antecedente (80,12%) y la actuación más frecuente fue no aislar (41,70%). El 14,81% de las pruebas fue positivo si el antecedente de infección/colonización era mayor a cuarenta y nueve meses. CONCLUSIONS: La PCR múltiple es una prueba útil para el control de la colonización por EBMR, que disminuye el tiempo hasta resultado y facilita la toma de decisiones rápidas, pudiendo contribuir a la adecuada gestión de recursos y comodidad de pacientes.

Aplicación de la PCR múltiple ALLPLEX TM ENTERO-DR en un protocolo de aislamiento por enterobacterias multirresistentes en el Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete / Multiple PCR ALLPLEX TM ENTERO-DR for multidrug- resistant Enterobacteriaceae management at Albacete University Hospita

Fundamentos: Las enterobacterias multirresistentes (EBMR) suponen una amenaza para la Salud Pública, siendo el cribado y aislamiento de pacientes colonizados importante para evitar su diseminación. La PCR múltiple es una técnica novedosa, capaz de proporcionar un diagnóstico rápido con sensibilidad y especificidad altas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la aplicación de PCR múltiple en el protocolo de aislamiento por EBMR desde su implantación en nuestro centro. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo y retrospectivo. Se analizaron los resultados del estudio de colonización por EBMR a pacientes hospitalizados, mediante PCR múltiple ALLPLEX TM ENTERO-DR, entre noviembre de 2019 y mayo de2021. Se calcularon las frecuencias de resultado positivo, negativo, no interpretable o inválido, de microorganismos identificados, el motivo de petición y actuación posterior. Se calcularon la mediana y Rango Intercuartílico (R.I.) del tiempo desde el cribado hasta el resultado parcial y final. También se calcularon la mediana y R.I. desde el antecedente de colonización/infección según resultado de la prueba rápida. Resultados: Se detectó mecanismo de resistencia en el 31,47% de las pruebas, siendo más frecuentemente aislado E. coli BLEE (68,99%). La mediana de tiempo hasta el resultado parcial fue de 5,75 horas (R.I.: 2,67), existiendo diferencias estadísticamente significativas con el tiempo de cultivo teórico. El motivo principal de petición fue cribado por antecedente (80,12%) y la actuación más frecuente fue no aislar (41,70%). El 14,81% de las pruebas fue positivo si el antecedente de infección/colonización era mayor a cuarenta y nueve meses. Conclusiones: La PCR múltiple es una prueba útil para el control de la colonización por EBMR, que disminuye el tiempo hasta resultado y facilita la toma de decisiones rápidas, pudiendo contribuir a la adecuada gestión de recursos y comodidad de pacientes.(AU)

Background: Multi-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (MRE) are a public health threat, with screening and isolation strategies beingimportant to stop its dissemination. Multiplex PCR is a novel method capable of rapid diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity. In this study, our objective was to evaluate its application to multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae management since its implementation in our hospital. Methods: An observational retrospective descriptive study of multiplex PCR ALLPLEX TM ENTERO-DR results to screen inpatients colonized by MRE took place from November 2019 to May 2021. We calculated the percentage of positive, negative, non-identifiable or invalid results, identified microorganisms, reason for requesting it and subsequent actions. Median and I.R. from sampling time to partial and theoretical culture time, and since last colonization/infection depending on test results were calculated. Results: Resistance mechanisms were detected in 31.47% of tests, being E. coli ESBL (68.99%) the most frequently isolated microorganism. Median time to partial result was 5.75 hours (I.R.: 2.67), having statistically significant differences with theoretical time. The most important reason to request the test was screening (80.12%) and the most frequent action taken was not to isolate (41.70 %). Whenever forty-nine months or more since last colonization/infection have passed, only 14.81% of the samples tested positive. Conclusions: Multiplex PCR is a useful test to manage colonized patients, capable of giving a rapid result and allowing for quicker decision-making, contributing to a good use of resources and patient comfort.(AU)

Validation of the Spanish Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) in Long-Term Care Settings.

Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the main psychological impacts of the actual pandemic, especially among the population groups with higher mortality rates. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) has been used in different scenarios to assess fear associated with COVID-19, but this has not been done frequently in people living in long-term care (LTC) settings. The present study is aimed at measuring the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the FCV-19S in residents in LTC settings, following both the classical test theory (CTT) and Rasch model frameworks. The participants (n = 447), aged 60 years or older, were asked to complete the FCV-19S and to report, among other issues, their levels of depression, resilience, emotional wellbeing and health-related quality of life with validated scales. The mean FCV-19S score was 18.36 (SD 8.28, range 7−35), with higher scores for women, participants with lower education (primary or less) and higher adherence to preventive measures (all, p < 0.05). The Cronbach's alpha for the FCV-19S was 0.94. After eliminating two items due to a lack of fit, the FCV-19S showed a good fit to the Rasch model (χ2 (20) = 30.24, p = 0.019, PSI = 0.87), with unidimensionality (binomial 95% CI 0.001 to 0.045) and item local independency. Question 5 showed differential item functioning by sex. The present study shows that the FCV-19S has satisfactory reliability and validity, which supports its use to effectively measure fear in older people living in LTC settings. This tool could help identify risk groups that may need specific health education and effective communication strategies to lower fear levels. This might have a beneficial impact on adherence to preventive measures.