Background and objectives The Covid-19 pandemic has put healthcare professionals around the world in an unprecedented challenge. This may cause some emotional difficulties and mental health problems. The aim of the present study was to analyze the emotional status among the health care workers form the Hospital of Igualada (Barcelona), while they were facing with Covid-19 in one of the most affected regions in all of Europe. Patients and methods A total of 395 participants were included in the study. A cross-sectional assessment was carried out between the months of March and April. Information about anxiety, depression, and stress was gathered. We also collected demographic data and concerning potentially stressful factors. Results A significant proportion of professionals reported symptoms of anxiety (31.4%) and depression (12.2%) from moderate to severe intensity. Symptoms of acute stress were reported by 14.5% of participants. We performed a regression analysis, which explained the 30% of the variance associated with the degree of emotional distress (R² = 0.30). The final model reveals that females (or young males), who are working in the frontline as nursing assistants, caretakers or radiology technicians, with the uncertainty of a possible infection, the perception of inadequate protection measures and having experienced the death of a close person by Covid-19, showed a heightened risk of experiencing psychological distress. Conclusions Coping with the Covid-19 pandemic caused a significant impact on emotional status of healthcare workers involved in this study.

Antecedentes y objetivo La actual pandemia de Covid-19 ha puesto a los profesionales sanitarios de todo el mundo ante un desafío sin precedentes. Esto les ha podido causar dificultades emocionales y problemas de salud mental. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar el estado emocional de los trabajadores del Hospital de Igualada (Barcelona), mientras se enfrentaban a uno de los focos de contagio más importantes de Europa. Pacientes y métodos Se incluyó a un total de 395 trabajadores. Se realizó una evaluación transversal entre los meses de marzo y abril. Se recogió información sobre síntomas de ansiedad, depresión, estrés. También se recogieron datos demográficos y sobre factores potencialmente estresantes. Resultados Un porcentaje significativo de profesionales reportó síntomas de ansiedad (71,6%) y depresión (60,3%). El 14,5% informó de síntomas de estrés agudo. Se realizó un análisis de regresión que explicó el 30% de la variancia asociada al nivel de malestar emocional (Ry = 0,30). Los factores de riesgo asociados a mayor malestar psicológico fueron el hecho de ser mujer (o hombre joven), trabajar como auxiliar de enfermería, celador o técnico de radiología, estar en contacto directo con pacientes Covid-19, no haber realizado la PCR, tener la sensación de no contar con los elementos de protección personales y haber experimentado la muerte de una persona cercana por Covid-19. Conclusiones El afrontamiento inicial de la situación de crisis asociada a la pandemia de Covid-19 tuvo un importante impacto emocional en los profesionales sanitarios analizados.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether the establishment of a preoperative screening and decolonization protocol for Staphylococcus aureus carriers undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) could decrease the incidence of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by this microorganism.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study comparing a control group comprising 400 patients (134 men, and 266 women; mean age: 72.2 ± 6.8 years) who went through surgery between January 2009 and December 2013, with a second intervention group of 403 patients (125 men, and 278 women; mean age: 72.4 ± 6.9 years) in which the protocol of screening and decolonization of S. aureus nasal carriers was applied between January 2014 and December 2016. During this latter period patients were preoperatively screened and, if positive, treated with mupirocin nasal ointment and chlorhexidine soap, for 5 days prior to surgery.ResultsIn the control group, 17 of 400 patients (4.2%) had a SSI, 8 (2%) of them caused by S. aureus and 9 (2.2%) by other microorganisms. In the intervention group 20.6% of patients had a positive S. aureus nasal swab and were treated according to the protocol. 5 of 403 patients (1.2%) in this group had a SSI, 1 (0.2%) due to S. aureus and 4 (1%) to other microorganisms. When comparing surgical-site infection (SSI) rates between the two groups, we found a statistically significant reduction in both global SSI (p = 0.009) and specifically S. aureus SSI (p = 0.02), in the intervention group. No decolonized S. aureus nasal carrier presented a SSI.DiscussionIn patients undergoing TKA a preoperative screening and decolonization protocol for S. aureus nasal carriers, using mupirocin nasal ointment and chlorhexidine soap, is an effective measure to reduce the rate of SSI caused by this microorganism.Level of EvidenceLevel III; Therapeutic Study.

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