Not only COVID-19: a systematic review of anti-COVID-19 measures and their effect on healthcare-associated infections

F Ciccacci; C De Santo; C Mosconi; S Orlando; M Carestia; L Guarente; G Liotta; L Palombi; L Emberti Gialloreti

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2024.02.008

Not only COVID-19: a systematic review of anti-COVID-19 measures and their effect on healthcare-associated infections

J Hosp Infect. 2024 Feb 27:147:133-145. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2024.02.008. Online ahead of print.

Authors

F Ciccacci¹, C De Santo², C Mosconi², S Orlando³, M Carestia², L Guarente², G Liotta², L Palombi⁴, L Emberti Gialloreti²

Affiliations

¹ Departmental Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy.
² Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
³ Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: stefano.orlando@uniroma2.it.
⁴ Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Catholic University Our Lady of Good Counsel, Tirana, Albania.

PMID: 38423132
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2024.02.008

Abstract

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) burden healthcare globally. Amid the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, intensified infection control measures, such as mask usage and hand hygiene, were implemented.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of these measures in preventing HAIs among hospitalized patients.

Methods: Using the PICO framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome), the study focused on hospitalized patients and the effectiveness of anti-COVID-19 measures in preventing HAIs. A systematic review of literature published in 2020-2022 was conducted, examining interventions such as mask usage, hand hygiene, and environmental cleaning.

Findings: This systematic review analysed 42 studies: two in 2020, 21 in 2021, and 19 in 2022. Most studies were from high-income countries (28). Most studies (30 out of 42) reported a reduction in HAIs after implementing anti-COVID-19 measures. Gastrointestinal infections and respiratory tract infections showed significant reduction, unlike bloodstream infections and urinary tract infections. Some wards, like cardiology and neurology, experienced reduced HAIs, unlike intensive care units and coronary care units. There was an increase in studies reporting no effect of hygiene measures on HAIs in 2022, eventually indicating a shift in effectiveness over time.

Conclusion: Anti-COVID-19 measures have shown selective efficacy in preventing HAIs. The study emphasizes the need for context-specific strategies and increased focus on regions with limited resources. Continued research is essential to refine infection control practices, especially in high-risk settings.

Keywords: Anti-COVID-19 measures; Healthcare-associated infection; Hospital infection prevention; Infection control practices.

Publication types

Review