Highlights ■ More than 2 million procedures were analyzed in the public health system from 2019 to 2023. ■ A total of 13 types of procedures were performed across 7 different specialties. ■ A 35% reduction in the total number of surgeries was observed. ■ There was no recovery of surgeries postponed during the pandemic. ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze changes in surgical volume across different specialties in Brazil before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This descriptive observational study […]

ABSTRACT Background Child immunization plays a critical role in preventing numerous diseases. However, the COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly disrupted healthcare systems globally, including routine child vaccination programs. Objective To provide an overview of the reduction in vaccine coverage among infants and children during the pandemic and analyze the potential impacts of decreased child immunization during this period. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted using the MeSH terms “Child,” “Vaccination”, and “COVID-19,” along with their synonyms. Systematic reviews published between March […]

Highlights ■ The COVID-19 pandemic has increased adherence to hand hygiene in intensive care units. ■ Private hospitals recorded higher consumption of alcoholbased hand sanitizer. ■ Interventions are needed to help keep rates up. ABSTRACT Objective: Compare alcohol-based hand sanitizer use in intensive care units in a municipality in São Paulo state, before and during the coronavirus pandemic. Methods: Analytical retrospective study using indirect documentation, with data obtained from a notification spreadsheet for epidemiological indicators of healthcare-associated infection in the […]

Highlights Healthcare-associated infections are responsible for higher morbidity and mortality rates. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a scenario of enormous demand for healthcare. Knowledge of risk factors is important for preventive measures. COVID-19 and the length of hospital stay were the most important risk factors for healthcare-associated infections. ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for healthcare-related infections during the COVID-19 pandemic in intensive care units, to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on Central Line- Associated Bloodstream Infection, Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract […]

Highlights Long-term catheter flushing for >90 days has preserved function. Ports cleaned after 90 days have the same colonization rate as those flushed early. Long-term catheters may be colonized in asymptomatic patients. The longer port cleaning interval reduces costs. ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the incidence of malfunction and colonization rates of fully implantable long-term catheters left unflushed during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to evaluate the average cost of transporting each patient to the hospital for flushing. Methods: During the COVID-19 […]

Highlights Fatality due to COVID-19 does not alter the time under oncological palliative care. The retrospective design of this pioneering study allows causal inference. Access to oncological palliative care frequently approaches terminality of life. ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed at investigating the extent to which COVID-19-induced fatalities affect the duration of palliative care among patients with advanced cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Palliative Care Unit of the Brazilian Instituto Nacional de Câncer in Rio de […]

Highlights A  single-center study evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for Burnout syndrome in intensive care unit teams. The study revealed a high prevalence of Burnout syndrome in at least one dimension. Factors such as profession and having two or more jobs were associated with severe burnout symptoms. The study highlighted the need for interventions and support to address burnout among intensive care unit teams. ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of burnout among the intensive care unit team of […]

Highlights Bone fractures were more frequent in women. The mortality rate among patients was 9.6%. The main trauma mechanism was falling from standing height. The total hospitalization cost ranged from R$2,006.53 to R$106,912.74. The mean daily cost was R$4,478.64. The longer the hospital stay for treatment, the higher the total cost. ABSTRACT Objective: To describe and analyze the aspects regarding the cost and length of stay for elderly patients with bone fractures in a tertiary reference hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional […]

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 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 […]