Highlights Up to 75% of COVID-19 telemedicine patients receive unnecessary drugs; this highlights the need for research. This study assessed the effect of guideline training and feedback on 200,000 telemedicine visits in Brazil. Under 2% of patients with COVID-19 received non-guideline recommended antimicrobials, reflecting high adherence rates. Targeted interventions significantly enhance guideline compliance for safer telemedicine prescriptions. ABSTRACT Objective: The quality of care and safety for Telemedicine-discharged patients with suspected respiratory infections are closely related to low rates of prescriptions […]

Highlights Approximately one in five respondents adhered to measures of social distancing. Adherence to social distancing was more prevalent in women, older adults with low educational levels, and those affected by multiple chronic diseases. Less than 5% of the population left home normally, whereas the vast majority only went out to carry out essential activities. ABSTRACT Objective: We aimed to analyze the frequency of adherence to social distancing and individual protection measures of adult and older populations in two cities […]

Highlights COVID-19 infection among healthcare personnel has impacted the workforce in hospitals. Knowledge of the risk factors for COVID-19 infection is important for disease prevention measures. Failure to train healthcare personnel is an important risk factor for acquiring COVID-19. ABSTRACT Objective: To verify the rate of COVID-19 infection among healthcare personnel at high and low risk of COVID-19 infection and identify the underlying risk factors. Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted between December 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021. Associations […]

Highlights Lung ultrasound enables precise diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of the disease. Ultrasound is an effective tool for assessing pulmonary findings in COVID-19. Structured reports enhance communication and are easily reproducible. ABSTRACT Objective: We aimed to share our experience in implementing a structured system for COVID-19 lung findings, elucidating key aspects of the lung ultrasound score to facilitate its standardized clinical use beyond the pandemic scenario. Methods: Using a scoring system to classify the extent of lung involvement, we retrospectively […]

ABSTRACT Objective To review the long-term outcomes (functional status and psychological sequelae) of survivors of critical illnesses due to epidemic viral pneumonia before the COVID-19 pandemic and to establish a benchmark for comparison of the COVID-19 long-term outcomes. Methods This systematic review of clinical studies reported the long-term outcomes in adults admitted to intensive care units who were diagnosed with viral epidemic pneumonia. An electronic search was performed using databases: MEDLINE®, Web of Science™, LILACS/IBECS, and EMBASE. Additionally, complementary searches […]

Highlights Developed models to forecast bed occupancy for up to 14 days and monitored errors for 365 days. Telemedicine calls from COVID-19 patients correlated withthe number of patients hospitalized in the next 8 days. ABSTRACT Objective: To develop and validate predictive models to estimate the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the intensive care units and general wards of a private not-for-profit hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Two main models were developed. The first model calculated hospital occupation as […]

Highlights Sitting time increased in 73.9% of women and 84.9% of men at the onset of the pandemic. Physical activity was practiced by 23.9% of women and 39.6% of men at the onset of the pandemic. The prevalence of both women and men reporting physical mobility difficulties increased at follow-up. Hospitalization rates for reasons unrelated to COVID-19 have increased in both women and men. ABSTRACT Objective: This study analyzed the impact of sex on self-reported health and lifestyle parameters in […]

Highlights Computed tomography revealed fibrotic-like lung changes in 10.9% of patients. Higher computed tomography scores were associated with a reduced DLCO (median computed tomography score, 6 versus 3; p=0.016). Fibrotic-like computed tomography changes were more prevalent in patients with DLCO impairment (p<0.001). Reduced DLCO had sensitivity and specificity of 73% and 88%, respectively, for predicting fibrotic-like computed tomography changes. ABSTRACT Objective: The radiological and functional lung sequelae in COVID-19 survivors remain unclear. We compared the chest computed tomography findings of […]

Highlights Face masks are associated with ear discomfort. Face masks increase the pulse rate. Face masks reduce arterial blood oxygen saturation. Face masks are less tolerated by young men. ABSTRACT Objective: The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the use of face masks in public. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of face masks on pulse rate and partial blood oxygen saturation in patients without cardiorespiratory disorders. Methods: A total of 150 volunteers of […]

Highlights We were unable to prove an association between the use of androgen deprivation therapy and a reduction in factors associated with worse clinical outcomes. Most of the data presented show a tendency to favor the outcomes of patients who do not undergo androgen deprivation therapy, which can be explained by the fact that, in general, their clinical conditions are better and their performance status scores are lower than those of patients who undergo androgen deprivation therapy. ABSTRACT Objective: To […]