The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response on hospital infection prevention programs and practices in the southeastern United States

Abstract

Initial assessments of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) preparedness revealed resource shortages and variations in infection prevention policies across US hospitals. Our follow-up survey revealed improvement in resource availability, increase in testing capacity, and uniformity in infection prevention policies. Most importantly, the survey highlighted an increase in staffing shortages and use of travel nursing.

Healthcare Provider N95 Respirator Contamination Worn Behind Face Shields With SARS-CoV-2 During Routine Clinical Care of Patients With COVID-19

“…Within the healthcare setting, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends that healthcare providers (HCPs) wear an N95 respirator or powered air purifying respirator and additional personal protective equipment (PPE; ie, eye protection, gown, and gloves) when performing care on patients with known or suspected COVID-19 [ 4 ]. However, for most of the pandemic, HCPs were instructed to wear respirators and PPE for all types of care of patients with known or suspected COVID-19 that, at times, contributed to respirator shortages and implementation of novel strategies for reprocessing and reusing these respirators [ 5–7 ].…”