Saudi Journal of Nursing and Health Care (SJNHC)
Volume-3 | Issue-11 | 319-326
Original Research Article
Prevalence of COVID-19 Positive Admitted Patients in Cardiac Center Hail During Month of July and August 2020
Rechel Mates, Rayhannah Lamalan, Analyn Lazaro, , Christelle Keith Tiamson, Dr. Mohamed Fahmy Ibrahim
Published : Nov. 23, 2020
Abstract
Background: The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time and the greatest challenge we have faced since World War II. Since its emergence in Asia late last year, the virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica. In our center, 36 out of 180 Health Care Workers (20%) of CCH staff were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the month of June – August 2020 and 32 out of 281 admissions (11.39%) in cardiac patients. For the first two months (March and April) of COVID-19 pandemic in Hail region, there were no infections noted in our center. Routine admission of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients in Catheterization Laboratory was allowed with awaiting swabbing result. Proper precautionary measures and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were strictly observed to highly suspicious COVID-19 high-risk cardiac patients. Methods: Between July– August 2020, this retrospective study was conducted for almost 2-month period based on prospective data collection at Cardiac Center Hail (CCH). Data collection through MEDICAPLUS documentation, daily COVID-19 scoring of both healthcare practitioners (Online Visual Triage) and patients (Respiratory Triage Checklist) were practiced, assessment and review of the laboratory results of admitted patients were done by the cardiac specialists. Daily recording of COVID-19 positive cardiac patients done by the unit heads and supervisors were gathered as reference of this study. This study is conducted to show the prevalence of COVID-19 positive admitted cardiac patients in our facility and discuss the importance of routine swabbing. Also, to contribute to research platforms in hopes of learning from the current pandemic response to better prepare for the next unforeseen crisis. Results: For two-month study period, there were 281 cardiac admissions from Emergency Room in Coronary Care Unit and Cardiac Ward, of which 32 (11.39%) were cases of COVID-19 positive. Due to the increasing number of infected healthcare workers (doctors, nurses and technicians) most especially in Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, all symptomatic and exposed medical and nursing staff were mandated to undergone COVID-19 swabbing on the month of July. The routine was to triage patients with scoring system (attached one) if score > 4, swabbing is done, if <4 admit without swab. Routine swabbing of admitted patients and decreasing the number of on-duty staff in the facility reduced unnecessary exposure to positive cases in Catheterization Laboratory, number of infected health care workers and also to reduce complications due to intervention on positive cases. Conclusion: Without testing there is no data. Tests allow us to identify infected individuals, guiding the medical treatment that they receive and it can help allocate medical resources and staff more efficiently. Through this study, the patients and health care practitioners were working together to deliver essential services, limit the spread of COVID-19 and to cushion the potentially devastating impact it may have on vulnerable people.