SARS-CoV-2 Contamination of Ambulance Surfaces and Effectiveness of Routine Decontamination Procedure: A Classic Hygiene Lesson for A Novel Pathogen.

The efficacy of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the decontamination of ambulances against SARS-CoV-2 has been debated. In Italy, the differential use of ambulances was implemented by regional health authorities, with selected vehicles being used exclusively for transporting COVID-19 patients. We investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on high-touch surfaces in ambulances to assess contamination dynamics and the effectiveness of decontamination SOPs.

Implementation of a nurse-led alternate care site for the management of the surge of patients with COVID-19 in an Italian emergency department.

Background: To accommodate and separate the large numbers of patients going to hospital with COVID-19, many EDs had to create new pathways for patients. We describe the outcomes of patients treated in a nurse-led alternate care site (ACS) at our hospital.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of outcomes of patients managed at the ACS of 'San Bassiano' Hospital ED, Bassano del Grappa, Italy between 9 March and 16 April 2020.

Elderly People's Access to Emergency Departments during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from a Large Population-Based Study in Italy.

Across the world, people have avoided seeking medical attention during the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in a marked reduction in emergency department (ED) visits. This retrospective cohort study examines in detail how the present pandemic affects ED use by the elderly. The regional database on ED visits in Veneto (northeastern Italy) was consulted to extract anonymous data on all ED visits during 2019 and 2020, along with details concerning patients' characteristics (access mode, triage code, chief complaint, and outcome).

Pediatric emergency department visits during the COVID-19 pandemic: a large retrospective population-based study.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has stretched healthcare system capacities worldwide and deterred people from seeking medical support at Emergency Departments (ED). Nevertheless, population-based studies examining the consequences on children are lacking.

Methods: All ED visits from 2019 to 2020 in Veneto, Italy (4.

The process of EUSOMA certification improves the quality of breast cancer care: the experience of an Italian EUSOMA certificated Breast Unit (BU) according to the results of a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: The adherence to recognized guidelines and the constant monitoring of performance throughout quality indicators (QIs) are strategic tools to improve the quality of care. The study is aimed to assess the effect of the EUSOMA (European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists) certification process on the quality of breast cancer care of an EUSOMA certified Breast Unit (BU) of Northern Italy.

Materials And Methods: Seventeen mandatory and recommended EUSOMA QIs, based on 594, were analysed for the years 2015-2018.