The 9-Month COVID-19 Pandemic Experience of Otorhinolaryngology Staff at a Tertiary Health Center Üçüncü Basamak Bir Sağlık Merkezindeki Kulak Burun Boğaz Kliniği Personelinin 9 Aylık COVID-19 Pandemisi Deneyimi

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Pütürgeli Özer T., Bayir Ö., Saylam G., Tatar E. Ç., MUTLU M., Dağli M., ...Daha Fazla

Journal of Ear Nose Throat and Head Neck Surgery, cilt.31, sa.2, ss.81-89, 2023 (Scopus, TRDizin)

Özet

Objective: To document our experiences in a tertiary health center in the planning and accomplishment of safe and efficient otolaryngology, head and neck surgery (OHNS) practices, and the rates of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) among our healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: We retrospectively investigated the COVID-19 infection rates among OHNS department professionals during the first 9 months of the pandemic (between 15 March 2020 and 15 December 2020), and also the number of patients examined at our clinic, the number and types of operations done with comparison to pre-pandemic period. The general and specific precautions for OHNS staff were also revised. Results: During the 9 months, the numbers of OHNS outpatient examinations (minimum 5.9% and maximum 43.3%) and inpatient hospitalizations (minimum 0.8% and maximum 31.4%) decreased significantly, compared to the same months in 2019. The rate of COVID-19 diagnosis among our staff was 25.45%. The highest rates of COVID-19 positivity were seen among outpatient technicians (40%), and the lowest rate was among the nurses in the operating rooms (12.5%). Conclusion: The OHNS staff is at high risk as they are extremely exposed to upper airway diseases, and these healthcare professionals are in a very risky position in terms of COVID-19 transmission. All of the staff must follow the absolute precautions during examinations and procedures including all types of patient care.