Impact of water quality on reprocessing equipment: Assessment of neurosurgical instruments cleaning and biofilm formation in hospital pipes.

Background: The presence of contamination and microorganisms at any stage of processing renders a method unsafe, leading to a high risk of cross-transmission and cross-infection.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the cleaning quality of aspirator instruments used in neurosurgical procedures.

Methods: The experimental study was conducted at the materials and sterilization center, as well as the microbiology laboratory, of a philanthropic hospital in Brazil.

The implications of healthcare professionals wearing jewelry on patient care biosafety: observational insights and experimental approaches.

The use of jewelry among healthcare professionals poses a risk of cross contamination due to potential bacterial accumulation and spread. Through a mixed-method design, this study first analyzed the implications of healthcare professionals wearing jewelry on patient care biosafety as well as on the residual bacterial load of hands and rings after hand hygiene. Firstly, an observational prevalence study to verify whether nursing professionals wear personal accessories during healthcare assistance was carried out.

Assessment of peripheral venous catheters microbiota and its association with phlebitis.

Background: Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) remain the primary mode of short-term venous access for managing intravenous fluid, obtaining blood samples, and peripheral parenteral nutrition. They may get contaminated and require regular monitoring to prevent complications. This study evaluated the occurrence of phlebitis and its associated-clinical and microbiological indicators.

Clinical outcomes in newborns of pregnant women with COVID-19: integrative review.

Objectives: to analyze clinical outcomes in newborns of pregnant women with COVID-19.

Methods: integrative review conducted in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, SCOPUS, CINHAL; 2,111 studies were obtained, and 8 articles comprised the final sample.

Results: clinical outcomes in neonates of pregnant women positive for COVID-19 were classified according to the following categories: a) contamination by COVID-19, reported in 62.

Effect of ozone gas on cultures of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus: evaluation of two ozonation devices.

Introduction: Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus are two important agents of Healthcare-associated infections. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of ozone (O3) gas produced by two commercial devices against cultures of these two species.

Methodology: Sterile plastic plates were inoculated with C.

Contamination of equipment and surfaces in the operating room anesthesia workspace: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Contamination of the breathing circuit and medication preparation surface of an anesthesia machine can increase the risk of cross-infection.

Objective: To evaluate the contamination of the anesthetic medication preparation surface, respiratory circuits, and devices used in general anesthesia with assisted mechanical ventilation.

Design And Setting: Cross-sectional, quantitative study conducted at the surgical center of a philanthropic hospital, of medium complexity located in the municipality of Três Lagoas, in the eastern region of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul.

Unveiling the efficacy of latex gloves in preventing viral infections during needlestick injuries: An in vitro mixed-methods study.

Background: Gloves are personal protective equipment designed to prevent contamination and reduce the spread of microorganisms. This study aimed to assess in vitro the physical integrity of latex gloves and the retention of biological contamination in healthcare simulation.

Method: Three different batches of latex procedure gloves from five different brands and specific batches were evaluated before use for physical integrity by the standard protocols of the Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and of the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Assessment of Soiling on Highly Touched Clinical Surfaces in Intensive Care Units.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate highly touched clinical surfaces using visual inspection methods and adenosine triphosphate by bioluminescence to identify soiling in intensive care units.

Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out in three intensive care units located in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Data collection included 142 assessments of environmental surfaces.

Impact of an educational intervention on standard precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on the knowledge of nursing professionals regarding standard precautions.

Methods: This is an almost experimental study conducted with 100 nursing professionals. Data collection was performed using a sociodemographic characterization instrument and the Standard Precautions Knowledge Questionnaire.

Adherence to standard precautions by nursing professionals in a public university hospital: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze the adherence to standard precautions by nursing professionals in a public university hospital, and to identify associated factors.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study with the nursing staff of a public university hospital. The participants provided sociodemographic and immunization data, training data on standard precautions and occupational accident history, and responded to the questionnaire on adherence to standard precautions (QASP).

Textiles impregnated with antimicrobial substances in healthcare services: systematic review.

Background: Antimicrobial textiles have proved to be a promising biosafety strategy. Thus, the current study was focused on identifying which antimicrobial substances impregnated in textiles used in healthcare services confer efficacy in reducing the microbial load present in these textiles and/or the Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) rates, when compared to conventional textiles.

Methods: A systematic review of intervention studies using MEDLINE the PubMed portal, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and medRxiv.

Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Prediction in People Living With HIV: A Cross-sectional Study.

People living with HIV (PWH) experience an accelerated aging process. There is no anthropometric predictive model for appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) in PWH. This study develops anthropometric models to predict and validate ASM measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in PWH; DXA scans were obtained for 125 PWH (male = 74; age >18 years) on antiretroviral therapy.

Monitoring of surface cleaning and disinfection in a Brazilian pediatric unit.

Background: Understanding the correlation between the methods of monitoring surface cleaning and disinfection (SCD) is fundamental for better infection control.

Purpose: This study aims to correlate the SCD monitoring methods in a Brazilian pediatric unit. This is an exploratory, longitudinal, and correlational study.

Instruments to assess adherence to medication in people living with HIV: a scoping review.

Objective: To compile the instruments validated in Brazil for assessing adherence of people living with HIV to antiretroviral therapy.

Methods: Scoping review using the Web of Science, Scopus, Medline (via PubMed), Embase, BDENF, CINAHL and Lilacs databases. In addition, the Preprints bioRxiv, Google Scholar and OpenGrey servers were checked.

Being Physically Active Leads to Better Recovery Prognosis for People Diagnosed with COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The regular practice of physical activity helps in the prevention and control of several non-communicable diseases. However, evidence on the role of physical activity in mitigating worsening clinical outcomes in people with COVID-19 is still unclear. The aim of this study was to verify whether different levels of physical activity provide protection for clinical outcomes caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Space-Time Clustering and Socioeconomic Factors Associated with Mortality from Diarrhea in Alagoas, Northeastern Brazil: A 20-Year Population-Based Study.

Acute diarrhea is the second leading cause of death among children in developing countries and is strongly related with the socioeconomic conditions of the population. In Brazil, data show a drop in the diarrhea mortality rate. Nevertheless, the northeastern region still has the most deaths.

Bone Mineral Content Estimation in People Living with HIV: Prediction and Validation of Sex-Specific Anthropometric Models.

People living with HIV (PWH) experience an accelerated reduction in bone mineral content (BMC), and a high risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Anthropometry is an accurate and low-cost method that can be used to monitor changes in body composition in PWH. To date, no studies have used anthropometry to estimate BMC in PWH.

Protocol with non-toxic chemicals to control biofilm in dental unit waterlines: physical, chemical, mechanical and biological perspective.

Biosafety in dentistry aims to combat cross-contamination and biofilm in dental unit waterlines. The aim was to investigate from a physical, chemical, mechanical and biological perspective, a protocol for using chemical products (citric acid, sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride) to improve and maintain water quality in dental unit waterlines. Change in microhardness and corrosion tendency were observed in stainless steel samples.

Influence of glucose supplementation on biofilm formation of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata isolated from diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of different glucose concentration on biofilm formation of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata strains isolated from diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.

Methods: The study was divided into two stages: (I) selection and identification of 48 C. albicans and C.

Influencing factors of hand hygiene in critical sections of a brazilian hospital.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to monitor adherence to hand hygiene by health professionals working in critical sections and to assess the factors that influenced adherence, such as physical structure of the units, use of procedure gloves, employment bond of the worker, and perception of patient safety climate.

Methodology: Observational and correlational study carried out in critical areas of a university hospital in the Midwest region of Brazil.

Results: The overall hand hygiene adherence rate was 46.

Reuse of hospital bedpans.

Objectives: to evaluate the results of two methods of hospital bedpan reprocessing.

Methods: cross-sectional study. Hospital bedpans containing a biological material contamination simulator or organic matter were submitted to manual cleaning followed by disinfection with 70% alcohol solution or thermodisinfection.

The use of antimicrobial-impregnated fabrics in health services: an integrative review.

Objective: to analyze evidence concerning the feasibility of antimicrobial-impregnated fabrics in preventing and controlling microbial transmission in health services.

Method: an integrative review using the following databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), regardless of language and date of publication. Seven studies were included in the analysis to verify the types of fabrics and substances used to impregnate the fabrics, applicability in health services, and decrease in microbial load.

Self-efficacy of health professionals in hand hygiene practice: is it possible to measure?

Objective: To identify in the literature the tools used to measure self-efficacy of health professionals in hand hygiene.

Methods: Integrative literature review carried out by consulting the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Europe PubMed Central, and Science Direct using the descriptors Self Efficacy, Hand Hygiene, and Health Personnel.

Results: Six articles, all of which with observational design, were selected.

Prevalence and susceptibility profile of Candida spp. isolated from patients in cancer therapy.

Objective: This study determined the prevalence of Candida spp. in the saliva of cancer patients. Furthermore, we assessed the antimicrobial activity of mouthwashes against the isolated strains and its susceptibility to amphotericin B and fluconazole.