Protect Health Care Providers Research Articles

Performance and acceptability of the STREAM Disinfectant Generator for infection prevention and control practices in primary health care facilities in Uganda

BackgroundEffective infection prevention and control programs can positively influence quality of care, increase patient safety, and protect health care providers. Chlorine, a widely used and effective chemical disinfectant, is recommended for infection prevention and control in health care settings. However, lack of consistent chlorine availability limits its use. Electrolytic chlorine generators can address limited chlorine supply and stockouts by enabling onsite production of readily usable, high-quality chlorine cost-effectively. We report the feasibility (i.e., performance, acceptability, chlorine availability, and cost) of the electrolytic STREAM Disinfectant Generator (Aqua Research, New Mexico, USA) device for infection prevention and control in primary health care facilities in Uganda.MethodsWe installed STREAM devices in 10 primary health care facilities in central and western Uganda. Commercial chlorine inventory records (stock cards) were reviewed in each facility to calculate average liters of chlorine received and used per month. These values were compared with actual STREAM chlorine production volumes over the study period to determine its impact on chlorine availability. We collected acceptability data from a purposive sample of device users (n = 16), hospital administrators (n = 10), and district health officers (n = 6) who had been directly involved in the operation or supervision of the STREAM device. We descriptively analyzed the acceptability data by user group and evaluated qualitative responses manually using a thematic approach. Cost data were normalized and modeled to determine a break-even and cost-savings analysis across a five-year period (the minimum expected lifespan of the STREAM device).ResultsChlorine was consistently available without any reported stockouts during the evaluation period. STREAM chlorine production resulted in a 36.9 percent cost-savings over a five-year period compared to commercial chlorine. User acceptability of the STREAM device was high among STREAM operators, hospital administrators, and district health officers, with all respondents reporting that STREAM moderately or significantly improved infection prevention and control practices in the health facility. Overall, 88 percent of device users and 100 percent of hospital administrators wished to continue using the STREAM device instead of commercial chlorine products.ConclusionThe STREAM device has demonstrated significant potential to strengthen infection prevention and control practices in health care facilities in Uganda. Based on the preliminary results, the STREAM device should be considered a promising tool for district hospitals and large health centers facing infection prevention and control challenges in Uganda and elsewhere, provided water and electricity are available. Going forward, implementation of the STREAM device could also be considered in smaller health care facilities in Uganda and elsewhere.

Stigmatizing clinical setting erodes physician-patient interaction quality for sexual minority men through perceived HIV stigma and HIV infection concerns in Zambia

ABSTRACT This study investigated whether perceived HIV stigma and HIV infection concerns among healthcare providers (HCPs) mediate the association between stigmatizing clinical setting and their interaction quality with sexual minority men (SMM) patients in Zambia. In 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with 91 HCPs offering HIV-related services to SMM in Zambia. Path analysis was conducted to examine the potential mediation effect of “perceived HIV stigma” and “HIV infection concern” among HCPs in the association between “stigmatizing clinical setting” and their “interaction quality with SMM”. Mediators i.e., “perceived HIV stigma” and “HIV infection concern” among HCPs, were associated positively with the stigmatizing clinical setting (β = 0.329, p < .01, β = 0.917, p < 0.01), and negatively with physician-patient interaction quality (β = −0.167, p = 0.051; β = −0.126, p < 0.05). Stigmatizing clinical setting had a significant and negative indirect effect on HCPs interaction quality with SMM through increased perceived HIV stigma (z = −1.966, p < 0.05) and increased HIV infection concern (z = −1.958, p = 0.050). To improve physician-patient interaction quality, stigma reduction interventions among HCPs, who serve SMM in Zambia, should target development of development of inclusive policies and the cultivation of cultural norms that are supportive and respectful to SMM, and protection of HCPs from enacted stigma due to offering care to SMM.

Workplace bullying and violence in health sector in Saudi Arabia.

Workplace bullying violence (BV), with psychological and physical impacts, is increasing globally. However, studies from Saudi Arabia investigating which specialties are most exposed, and linking them with other factors, such as sociodemographic conditions, are scarce. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of workplace BV over a 12-month period and determine the circumstances related to the event, consequences for the attacker, and targeted personnel among all healthcare providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This analytical cross-sectional study included all health providers registered with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties who worked for more than 1 year in the healthcare sector (governmental or private) in the KSA until May 2019. In total, 7398 healthcare workers were electively enrolled in the study; 51.3% were men, and 48.7% were women, with a mean age of 40 ± 8.62 years. They were mostly (60%) non-Saudi. Overall, 26.6% encountered BV. Those who worked in the private sector, in shifts, especially evening shifts, were significantly more exposed. Furthermore, pharmacists had the highest prevalence of workplace violence. The prevalence of BV is moderately high; however, it is a serious issue faced by healthcare workers, especially those working night shifts. Pharmacists were more likely to experience bullying. This demonstrates that more support, specific strategies, and policies are required to reduce the occurrence of workplace BV, protect healthcare providers, and prevent attacks. Underreporting these situations may give an incorrect indication of the magnitude of the problem; thus, more education and further studies in the KSA are needed.

Leadership Coaching in Surgical Residency: Reasons for Referral and Topics Addressed to Improve Nontechnical Skill

Professional coaching has been utilized in the military and private sector with a long track record of optimizing efficiency, improving high-functioning team performance, and creating greater satisfaction among the workforce. Recent studies in physician populations have suggested that coaching may protect healthcare providers from burnout and improve quality of life and resilience. The aims of the current study were to describe our single-institution experience with the introduction of a leadership coaching program among surgical residents and to characterize the nature of the common reasons for referral for coaching. Upon identification by program faculty that a resident would benefit from coaching, an email was sent from the program director to the coach to establish contact between the coach and resident, with a brief synopsis of the factors that lead to the resident being referred for coaching. The study team obtained deidentified, simplified synopses of the initial email correspondences from program leadership reaching out to residents to refer them to coaching. Common recurring themes were quantified. Later, coaches reviewed their notes kept during coaching sessions and, in a similar fashion, identified topics discussed and skills developed in coaching sessions for each resident. Topics were summarized for each resident, and a deidentified list of residents and the themes reviewed in coaching were provided to the study team, who quantified these topics. Baseline demographic information on the resident cohort, including training level, gender, and number of repeat referrals were summarized to delineate differences in patterns of repeat referral and attrition. This study was conducted within the general surgery residency program at a single academic medical center, composed of 43 categorical and 8 preliminary residents. Over a 2.5-year period, 21 residents were referred: 5 chief, 8 senior, 5 midlevel, and 3 junior (1 preliminary) residents. Male residents represented 2/3 and female residents 1/3 of the total number of referrals. There were 3 repeat referrals, 2 male and 1 female. We identified 2 overarching reasons for which residents were referred for coaching: request for structured leadership training and request for communication training. Six themes were identified upon review of referrals for coaching. Among these were the need for improved communication, methods to improve team integration, tools to balance professional and personal responsibilities, and practices to improve confidence and assertiveness. Through the coaching relationship, residents reviewed deficits and received an individualized plan to address newly identified problem areas. Upon initiation of coaching, new themes like anxiety management, emotional intelligence, and cultural acclimatization were identified. During each coaching session, residents participate in exercises designed to build habits of effective listening, communication, and conflict resolution. Coaching in surgical residency provides a structured program for residents to develop skills in planning and orchestrating team operations, listening and communicating effectively, mitigating conflict, and managing professional and personal responsibilities. Follow-up studies will focus on the long-term effects of professional coaching, evaluating survey data from self-assessments and professional evaluations.

Treatment System Adaptations during War: Lessons from Ukrainian Addiction Treatment Providers

Background: The war in Ukraine has posed significant challenges to the healthcare system. This paper draws upon expert consultations, held between December 2022 and February 2023, focused on HIV/AIDS, addiction, and mental health service delivery during the first year of this war, and following the Global Mental Health Humanitarian Coalition panel discussion in May 2022. Objectives: This commentary presents the experiences of frontline healthcare workers in Ukraine, challenges, and local adaptations to meet the increased mental health needs of healthcare providers. We aimed to document the adaptations made in the addiction healthcare system and to acknowledge the changes in vulnerabilities and lessons learned. Results: Burnout among healthcare providers delivering addiction, HIV/AIDS and mental health services became more visible after the second half of 2022. Challenges included increased workload, contextual threats, lack of job relocation strategies, and money-follow-the-patient policies. Recommendations: The lessons from the first year of war in Ukraine hold significant generalizability to other contexts. These include enabling bottom-up approaches to tailoring services and allowing healthcare providers to respond to the dynamics of war in an effective and active manner. Other recommendations include departmental-specific resources and strategies, particularly as vulnerable groups and challenges are unstable in humanitarian contexts. Conclusions: Globally and in Ukraine, healthcare workers need more than applause. Along with monetary incentives, other strategies to prevent burnout, ensure sustainable capacity building, job relocation opportunities, and bespoke adaptations are imperative to protect healthcare providers’ wellbeing and overall public health.

Overview of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA): A Patient Safety Tool.

Overview of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA): A Patient Safety Tool.

Enhanced Patient-Centricity: How the Biopharmaceutical Industry Is Optimizing Patient Care through AI/ML/DL.

Technologies utilizing cutting-edge methodologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), present powerful opportunities to help evaluate, predict, and improve patient outcomes by drawing insights from real-world data (RWD) generated during medical care. They played a role during and following the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by helping protect healthcare providers, prioritize care for vulnerable populations, predict disease trends, and find optimal therapies. Potential applications across therapeutic areas include diagnosis, disease management and patient journey mapping. Use of fit-for-purpose datasets for ML models is seeing growth and may potentially help additional enterprises develop AI strategies. However, biopharmaceutical companies often face specific challenges, including multi-setting data, system interoperability, data governance, and patient privacy requirements. There remains a need for evolving regulatory frameworks, operating models, and data governance to enable further developments and additional research. We explore recent literature and examine the hurdles faced by researchers in the biopharmaceutical industry to fully realize the promise of AI/ML/DL for patient-centric purposes.

Healthcare providers' intention to leave their jobs during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Background and AimsDuring the coronavirus pandemic (COVID‐19), healthcare providers confronted risks of disease transmission to themselves and their family members, resulting in physical and psychological burdens. This might affect their decisions to leave their jobs temporarily or permanently, fearing infection and protecting their families. This study examined the factors related to the intention to leave a job among healthcare providers during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Jordan.MethodsA cross‐sectional correlational design was used to collect data using a convenience sample of 557 healthcare providers working in different sectors across Jordan. Data were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire about the intention to leave jobs during the pandemic.ResultsThe sample included 368 females (63.8%) and 209 males (36.6%) participants. The mean age of participants was 30.8 years (SD = 6.65). Differences found in intention to leave job during COVID‐19 in relation to age (t = 2.60, p < 0.05), gender (X 2 = 4.25, p < 0.001), and marital status (X 2 = 18.2, p < 0.001). Participants with a high risk of exposure to COVID‐19 and who experienced higher workloads had higher scores of intention to leave their job during COVID‐19, while being married had lower scores.ConclusionsPolicy‐makers need to pay attention to young and single healthcare providers during the COVID‐19 pandemic to prevent them leave their job. Crucial guidelines for managing workload during the COVID‐19 pandemic are needed. Policy‐makers during pandemics have to protect healthcare providers who feel they are at high risk of infection.

The effect of COVID-19 on student opportunities to acquire airway skills

Background:To protect healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, substantial changes were made to clinical care guidelines across the United States. Alongside these changes, emergency medical services call volume decreased nationwide. These made it difficult for paramedic students to practise and master the practical skills necessary for skill competency and graduation. The aim of this study was to explore the changes in the number of opportunities available to paramedic students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:A retrospective study of student records was carried out to explore airway procedure variables before and after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.Results:Statistically significant differences in case exposure were found between the periods before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Case volume and opportunities to practise most airway procedures decreased post COVID-19. However, procedures associated with higher-acuity patients, such as intubation, increase in frequency.Conclusion:The pandemic gave rise to difficulties for paramedic educators in preparing students for qualification and the current study has highlighted such unique challenges. Consideration must be given to developing a more flexible, adaptable and scalable way to measure a student's competency in paramedicine in times of significant disruption.

Changing Patterns of Pediatric Trauma During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The implementation of lockdown and social distancing policies at the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic changed both the nature of pediatric traumatic injuries and how those injuries were managed by pediatric trauma centers. At the start of the pandemic, the number of injured children evaluated at trauma centers decreased. Trauma volumes have since rebounded, and a concerning increase in abuse-related injuries has been seen. Pediatric trauma systems responded to the pandemic with new approaches to protect health care providers, conserve critical resources, and assist adult trauma systems overburdened by patients with COVID-19. The widespread effect of COVID-19 continues to have significant repercussions on children's health, but the lessons learned and gaps exposed by the pandemic may be an opportunity to positively transform injury prevention and health care delivery. [Pediatr Ann. 2022;51(7):e286-e290.].

Using Data to Create Change? Interrogating the Role of Data in Ending Attacks on Healthcare

Abstract This article explores the non-straightforward role of data about attacks on health in creating policy and normative change to safeguard access to healthcare and protect healthcare providers in conflict. Acknowledging the importance of data as a key component in the quest to reduce instances of attacks, we take this one step further, asking: what is the relationship between data, action, and change processes? While scholars have examined the efficacy of transnational advocacy, rarely has the specific role of data been the focus of analysis. Here we consider two pathways for creating change: operational change designed to prevent or mitigate the impact of attacks on health at the level of those affected by attacks, and normative change that leads to a reduction in the frequency of attacks, at the level of those perpetrating attacks. Drawing on research investigating the influence of data in humanitarian decision-making and security management and research on transnational advocacy, we discuss the lessons for responding to the problem of attacks on healthcare. We end by broadening the scope of our conclusions to highlight the non-straightforward role of data in operational and normative change processes more generally.

Clinician Wire Puncture Injury to the Hand from Chest Compressions on a Patient with a Median Sternotomy: A Case Report

Standard precautions, including protections from blood and body fluid exposure, are designed to protect health care providers from infections. Sharps safety practices rarely include the potential for the unconscious patient’s own body to be a potential source of clinician percutaneous injury from sharp objects outside of the perioperative setting. This case report reviews a percutaneous injury to the hand of a physician who was performing chest compressions on a patient with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The 76-year-old patient in cardiac arrest had undergone a medial sternotomy surgery 15 years before the arrest. The sternal wire rotated owing to the initial chest compressions, breaking the clinician’s nitrile glove and producing an open wound on the thenar region of the clinician’s right hand. Application of a 10 × 10 12-ply gauze pack on the chest of the patient in cardiac arrest allowed the resuscitation team to continue with the compressions with no further wounds from the wire. This case report is a novel contribution to the published literature and advances standard precautions considerations in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, with the sternotomy wire from previous surgery as a source of percutaneous clinician injury during chest compression.

Regional anesthesia during COVID-19 pandemic: A minireview and practical recommendations

Background and aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed many challenges for healthcare workers around the world. This study aims to present the most appropriate and evidence-based scientific advice for safe regional anesthesia practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: To perform regional anesthesia during respiratory disease outbreaks, several databases were investigated, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Up-to-date, and ScienceDirect. Searches were in English during a timeframe spanning from February 15, 2019, until February 15, 2021, and the applied keywords were "COVID-19 anesthesia", "surgery", and "operating room" Results: We have focused on definite areas such as workforce and resource planning, modification of clinical setting, preparation of equipment, supplies, and medications, selection of proper personal protective equipment (PPE), cardiorespiratory monitoring of the patient, and sedation and oxygen therapy. Other fields were assessing safe regional anesthesia techniques and monitoring during anesthesia, post-anesthesia care, and follow-ups. In these recommendations, keeping the patients safe while protecting healthcare providers from potential exposure to infection is of particular interest. Conclusion: The safety of healthcare workers and patients during the anesthesia management of suspected and positive COVID-19 cases is of utmost importance. Although there is limited evidence regarding performing regional anesthesia, these presented suggestions summarize the best accessible data and explain some doubts in this respect.

2022 Interim Guidance to Health Care Providers for Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Adults, Children, and Neonates With Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19: From the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee and Get With The Guidelines-Resuscitation Adult and Pediatric Task Forces of the American Heart Association in Collaboration With the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Respiratory Care, the Society

2022 Interim Guidance to Health Care Providers for Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Adults, Children, and Neonates With Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19: From the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee and Get With The Guidelines-Resuscitation Adult and Pediatric Task Forces of the American Heart Association in Collaboration With the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Respiratory Care, the Society

Effectiveness of N95 Masks against SARS-CoV-2: Performance Efficiency, Concerns, and Future Directions.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, which is caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has continued to spread around the world since December 2019. Healthcare workers and other medical first responders in particular need personal protective equipment to protect their respiratory system from airborne particulates, in addition to liquid splashes to the face. N95 respirator have become a critical component for reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission and controlling the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a major dispute concerning the protective performance of N95 respirators has erupted, with a myriad of healthcare workers affected despite wearing N95 masks. This article reviews the most recent updates about the performance of N95 respirators in protecting against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the present pandemic situation. A brief overview of the manufacturing methods, air filtration mechanisms, stability, and reusability of the mask is provided. A detailed performance evaluation of the mask is studied from an engineering point of view. This Review also reports on a comparative study about the protective performance of all commercially available surgical and respiratory masks used to combat the spread of COVID-19. With the aim of protecting healthcare providers more efficiently, we suggest some potential directions for the development of this respiratory mask that improve the performance efficiency of the mask.

Relationships between patient portal activation and patient satisfaction scores among CG-CAHPS and HCAHPS respondents.

Patient portals are health information technology tools that offer patients access to their personal health information and a means to communicate with health care providers, but little is known about their impact on patient satisfaction. Identifying factors that increase patient satisfaction may improve patient care and can protect health care providers from financial penalties. Our study sought to investigate how patient portals are associated with patient satisfaction in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Retrospective, pooled cross-sectional study. Data from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG-CAHPS) and Hospital CAHPS (HCAHPS) patient satisfaction surveys were linked to inpatient and outpatient portal account status at a large academic medical center. Using fractional logistic regression, we investigated the relationship between patient satisfaction survey scores and patient portal activation. Patients with an activated outpatient portal account reported higher patient satisfaction across a subset of the CG-CAHPS dimensions, and patients with an activated inpatient portal account reported higher patient satisfaction across a subset of the HCAHPS dimensions, compared with patients without the respective portal accounts. Our study suggests the potential for patient portals to enhance patient satisfaction, especially in areas such as care coordination and care transitions. In both inpatient and outpatient settings, portal use may improve the patient-centeredness of care. Our findings indicate important considerations for both health care organizations and their patients to promote patient portal use as a means of improving patient satisfaction, especially in the context of potential impacts on reimbursement and reputation.

Remote Patient Monitoring Program for COVID-19 Patients Following Hospital Discharge: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created an urgent need to act to reduce the spread of the virus and alleviate congestion from healthcare services, protect healthcare providers, and help them maintain satisfactory quality and safety of care. Remote COVID-19 monitoring platforms emerged as potential solutions.Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capacity and contribution of two different platforms used to remotely monitor patients with COVID-19 to maintain quality, safety, and patient engagement in care, as well as their acceptability, usefulness, and user-friendliness from the user's perspective. The first platform is focused on telecare phone calls (Telecare-Covid), and the second is a telemonitoring app (CareSimple-Covid).Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study. The data were collected through a phone survey from May to August 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test analysis. Participants' responses and comments on open-ended questions were analyzed using content analysis to identify certain issues and challenges and potential avenues for improving the platforms.Results: Fifty one patients participated in the study. Eighteen participants used the CareSimple-Covid platform and 33 participants used the Telecare-Covid platform. Overall, the satisfaction rate for quality and safety of care for the two platforms was 80%. Over 88% of the users on each platform considered the platforms' services to be engaging, useful, user-friendly, and appropriate to their needs. The survey identified a few significant differences in users' perceptions of each platform: empathy toward users and the quality and safety of the care received were rated significantly higher on the CareSimple-Covid platform than on the Telecare-Covid platform. Users appreciated four aspects of these telehealth approaches: (1) the ease of access to services and the availability of care team members; (2) the user-friendliness of the platforms; (3) the continuity of care provided, and (4) the wide range of services delivered. Users identified some technical limitations and raised certain issues, such as the importance of maintaining human contact, data security, and confidentiality. Improvement suggestions include promoting access to connected devices; enhancing communications between institutions, healthcare users, and the public on confidentiality and personal data protection standards; and integrating a participatory approach to telehealth platform development and deployment efforts.Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence that the two remote monitoring platforms are well-received by users, with very few significant differences between them concerning users' experiences and views. This type of program could be considered for use in a post-pandemic era and for other post-hospitalization clienteles. To maximize efficiency, the areas for improvement and the issues identified should be addressed with a patient-centered approach.

Sheet Barrier and Intubating Stylet

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a respiratory syndrome caused by SARS-CoV-2, can be transmitted through respiratory droplets and aerosols of droplet nuclei. Aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMP) are needed to take care of critically ill patients but place health care providers at risk of infection. With limited supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), barrier systems were developed to help protect health care providers during tracheal intubation. The video intubating stylet shows promise to become the preferred intubation device in conjunction with plastic sheet barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

HTA of novel biocontainment systems for ambulance transport: public health implications

BackgroundBiocontainment systems in healthcare settings are intended to ensure isolation of contagious or potentially contagious patients so as to protect healthcare providers and control infection spread. The need for safe and effective biocontainment systems has emerged during the COVID-19 outbreak. In particular, transport of potentially contagious patients poses technical, logistical and medical challenges that are to be addressed to protect population health and enable safe healthcare services delivery.MethodsAs novel biocontainment systems become available it is important to assess their operational effectiveness and safety and to define their organizational impact. We applied the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) framework to evaluate a novel rigid bio-containment system (Billy-Cab) integrated with the stretcher support, for ambulance transport of contagious patients.ResultsWe applied the EUnetHTA core model to conduct an HTA report of Billy-Cab. A multi-disciplinary working group was established. We assessed available biocontainment under the nine dimensions of the EUnetHTA core model. We derived and pooled: 1) original data derived from clinical practice, 2) secondary data derived from systematic reviews of the literature, conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, 3) original data derived from validated questionnaires, 4) economic original data.ConclusionsPreliminary data allow to conclude selected biocontainment systems are effective in ensuring infection control during ambulance transport, with manageable organizational impact. In addition, the use biocontainment systems positively influence healthcare professionals' attitudes and performances. The HTA methodology offers substantial support to evaluate the introduction of innovative technologies during health emergencies and beyond.Key messages Selected biocontainment systems are effective in ensuring infection control during ambulance transport.HTA is to be applied to evaluate the introduction of innovative technologies during health emergencies and beyond.

Infection Control in the Era of COVID-19: A Narrative Review.

COVID-19 quickly became a pandemic causing millions of infections and mortalities. It required real-time adjustments to healthcare systems and infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to limit the spread and protect healthcare providers and hospitalized patients. IPC guidelines were adopted and developed based on experience gained during the MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV outbreaks. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize current evidence on IPC in healthcare settings and patients with COVID-19 to prevent nosocomial infections during the actual pandemic. A search was run on PubMed using the terms (‘COVID-19’ [Mesh]) AND (‘Infection Control’ [Mesh]) between 2019 and 2021. We identified 86 studies that were in accordance with our aim and summarized them under certain themes as they related to COVID-19 infection control measures. All the guidelines recommend early diagnosis and rapid isolation of COVID-19 patients. The necessary precautions should be taken comprising the whole process, starting with an infectious disease plan, administrative and engineering controls, triage, and PPE training. Guidelines should target modes of transmission, droplet, aerosol, and oral–fecal, while recommending control precautions. Healthcare facilities must promptly implement a multidisciplinary defense system to combat the outbreak.