Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the medical staff of general surgery at Dr. Miguel Pérez Carreño hospital. Cohort study

Abstract

Surgical pathologies continue to be a common reason for consultation in the emergency services of our hospitals, requiring a rapid evaluation and timely resolution even in times of pandemic, and it is highly probable that asymptomatic patients, with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection, merit a surgical intervention. Objective: To analyze the incidence of COVID-19 cases and evaluate its correlation with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in resident and staff surgeons of General Surgery services at Dr. Miguel Pérez Carreño Hospital. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional research was carried out. The sample consisted of 32 physicians who anonymously responded to an electronic survey conducted by the academic committee of the General Surgery residency program. Results: The overall percentage of participation was 50.79%. 42% of residents and 9% of specialist physicians were positive for the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. The most frequent place of probable contact was the hospital in 90% of the cases. 50% of the doctors identified a health personnel as their source of infection. Constant use of PPE and alcohol gel was reported in 47% and 72% of the cases, respectively. Conclusion: The increase in COVID-19 cases in the general population and in health personnel should alert us to the need to take stricter protection measures early in order to reduce the incidence of cases and, therefore, the morbidity and mortality associated with infection with the new Coronavirus.