Study on the Spread of COVID-19 Based on the Real Behavior of Emergency Room Personnel
Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine Research DOI: 10.32629/jcmr.v6i2.4049
Abstract
Hospitals and other medical institutions are high-risk environments for the transmission of respiratory infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. This study analyzed a clinical skills competition conducted in the emergency department of a medical school in Hong Kong. Video data were collected of medical staff treating two categories of patients: P1 (critically ill) and P2 (agitated). A transmission model for respiratory infectious diseases was developed to assess the infection risk among healthcare workers and to evaluate the effectiveness of various preventive measures, using COVID-19 as a case study. Without mask protection, the hourly infection risk for treating P1 reached 43.4%, which was 3.1 times higher than the risk associated with treating P2. Wearing N95 and surgical masks throughout the entire treatment process reduced total infection risk by 93.3% and 49.4%, respectively. Based on real-world close contact scenarios, this study provides scientific evidence to inform targeted prevention and control strategies for respiratory infectious diseases in emergency medical settings.
Keywords
doctor-patient behavior, hospital infection, emergency room, close contact, COVID-19
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[5] Greenhalgh, T., J. L. Jimenez, K. A. Prather, Z. Tufekci, D. Fisman, and R. J. T. l. Schooley. 2021. Ten scientific reasons in support of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. 397 (10285):1603-1605.
[6] Gokmen, Y., U. Turen, H. Erdem, İ. J. D. m. Tokmak, and p. h. preparedness. 2021. National preferred interpersonal distance curbs the spread of COVID-19: A cross-country analysis. 15 (6):e20-e26.
[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). How to protect yourself & others.(2022). Retrieved 5 May 2022 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
[8] Zhang, N., J. W. Tang, and Y. J. I. a. Li. 2019. Human behavior during close contact in a graduate student office. 29 (4):577-590.
[9] Coleman, K. K., D. J. W. Tay, K. S. Tan, S. W. X. Ong, T. T. Son, M. H. Koh, Y. Q. Chin, H. Nasir, T. M. Mak, and J. J. H. J. C. i. d. A. o. p. o. t. I. D. S. o. A. Chu. 2021. Viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory aerosols emitted by COVID-19 patients while breathing, talking, and singing.ciab691.
[10] Liu, X., Z. Dou, L. Wang, B. Su, T. Jin, Y. Guo, J. Wei, and N. J. J. o. H. M. Zhang. 2022. Close contact behavior-based COVID-19 transmission and interventions in a subway system. 436:129233.
[11] Wei, J., L. Wang, T. Jin, Y. Li, N. J. B. Zhang, and Environment. 2023. Effects of occupant behavior and ventilation on exposure to respiratory droplets in the indoor environment. 229:109973.
[12] Koh, X. Q., A. Sng, J. Y. Chee, A. Sadovoy, P. Luo, and D. J. J. o. A. S. Daniel. 2022. Outward and inward protection efficiencies of different mask designs for different respiratory activities. 160:105905.
[13] Mizukoshi, A., C. Nakama, J. Okumura, and K. J. E. i. Azuma. 2021. Assessing the risk of COVID-19 from multiple pathways of exposure to SARS-CoV-2: Modeling in health-care settings and effectiveness of nonpharmaceutical interventions. 147:106338.
[14] Spina, S., F. Marrazzo, M. Migliari, R. Stucchi, A. Sforza, and R. J. L. Fumagalli. 2020. The response of Milan's Emergency Medical System to the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy. 395 (10227):e49.
[15] Watanabe, T., T. A. Bartrand, M. H. Weir, T. Omura, and C. N. J. R. A. A. I. J. Haas. 2010. Development of a dose‐response model for SARS coronavirus. 30 (7):1129-1138.
[16]Chen, W., N. Zhang, J. Wei, H.-L. Yen, Y. J. B. Li, and Environment. 2020. Short-range airborne route dominates exposure of respiratory infection during close contact. 176:106859.
[17]Solano, T., C. Ni, R. Mittal, and K. J. P. o. f. Shoele. 2022. Perimeter leakage of face masks and its effect on the mask's efficacy. 34 (5).
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