| Abstract [eng] |
The objective of the research: To evaluate outbreaks of COVID-19 disease (coronavirus infection) in Lithuanian personal health care facilities and their management. The tasks of the research: 1. To analyse cases and outbreaks of COVID-19 in Lithuanian healthcare settings. 2. To assess the main management measures to address COVID-19 outbreaks in healthcare settings. 3. To assess the behaviour of personal health care staff during a COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. Data on outbreaks in personal health care facilities were obtained from the National Public Health Centre's ULSKIS system, with 17 832 000 cases. Data were also collected through an anonymous survey of infection control specialists in PHC facilities. The survey sample was 100 respondents. The analysis of the survey was carried out using the 'R commander' package. Results. Of the 17 199 000 cases, 81.9% (14 086) occurred in hospital, 13.8% (2 365) occurred elsewhere (e.g. university, home, work, event), and 4.4% (748) had no known place of infection. Of those infected in hospital, 52.4% (7382) were patients and 47.6% (6704) were healthcare workers. 94.0% of respondents indicated that the facility has a plan in place for the management of COVID-19, 39.0% indicated that their hospital has a designated infection control officer, and 31.0% have only an infection control officer. Conclusions. 1) The majority of confirmed healthcare-associated cases of COVID-19 in Lithuania between 2020 and 2021 were confirmed in a hospital setting, with the highest proportion of patients aged 60 years. 43.4% were healthcare workers, with an average age of 51. The majority of those who were diagnosed with COVID-19 recovered, but even 5% died from COVID-19. 2) COVID-19 disease in 2020-2021 outbreaks in personal health care facilities were highest in November-January 2020, with the highest number of cases in December 2020, when COVID-19 vaccination was not yet available in Lithuania. 3) PHCs with a COVID-19 management plan had better compliance with infection prevention and control, with the majority of staff using appropriate personal protective equipment and following hand hygiene rules. To control COVID-19 outbreaks, it is important to have an infection control specialist in each facility, an infectious disease management plan, and training for staff on infection control management. 4) The main cause of infection transmission in PHCs is the inappropriate use of personal protective equipment and inadequate protection. The misuse of personal protective equipment was due to discomfort in wearing it or lack of responsibility on the part of staff. |
