Infection control in occupational COVID-19 prevention among healthcare workers

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic affects healthcare workers as well. Reports are available of the susceptibility of these workers during daily practice. The policies in place and the implementation of three infection control measures: administrative, environmental and related to respiratory protection, require great involvement of all healthcare professionals, from decision-makers to the personnel in direct contact with infected patients. This is the reason why teamwork is decisive for the success of these strategies. It should be pointed out that each health institution will have different infection control needs, but the main administrative measures in all of them are the formation of an infection control team and the implementation of risk assessment actions. The key environmental measure is the disinfection of surfaces and environments. It is therefore necessary to foster an appropriate distribution of spaces facilitating cross-ventilation with the aid of natural or mechanical ventilation, besides the possibility of using germicidal UV light for environmental disinfection. With respect to respiratory protection, it is indispensable to have access to the protection equipment required by the level of risk to which the health personnel are exposed. Application of these strategies in the current context of occupational COVID-19 transmission, will make it possible to reinforce the capacities already installed in health systems clearly affected by the pandemic.