Someone directly exposed to COVID all day every day getting it in spite of wearing a mask does not mean they don’t work. Have you caught it?
I know 1 dr that works in a hospital and he rotates covering covid patients in ICU since May and hasn’t caught it. It’s not because of a superhuman immune system.
perhaps It’s a breech in safety and protocols that have delivered him to his conclusions about the efficacy of masks. if healthcare workers get Covid despite wearing proper PPE there must be a vulnerability Somewhere in the process. Especially if it occurs often. In my facility, Like many, strict guidance and protocols have been in place due to Covid.
most of what we learned from the attrition rate of healthcare workers in Europe was posted in the journal of emergency medicine. It’s basically spells out what works and what contributed to the high exposure rate among medical personnel.
for minimizing aerosol particles Specifically, absolutely no bipap transports, all intubations are to follow RSI protocols, all nebulizers are converted to MDIs, signage on patient doors reminding staff of Cpap/bipap, usage. And the need for eye protection in addition to wearing an n95 mask. A negative catscan, negative swab is needed before bipap is ordered and only in a negative pressure room. However, not all facilities have a uniform way of handling Covid. I have been informed from frontliners that work at other local hospitals of breeches their protocols. Rooms being sanitized without waiting a certain amount of time afterward before admitting another patient. Bipap transports throughout the hospital. It is a constant fight that requires diligence. There have been occurrences where physician and mid level orders have been trumped when they conflict with established safety guidelines.
I happen to be in contact with employee health daily. Our numbers of exposures remain low. ED, ICU, Respiratory Care, and Covid floors are closely monitored.
it is unrealistic to assume all healthcare workers practice the same level of compliance off the clock or even have the same attitude towards Covid in general. Just because a frontline employee has an exposure does not automatically indicate it was work related. And the opposite is equally true. Observing, enforcing, And practicing safety measures In the clinical setting Is key in order to reduce exposures and attrition of healthcare workers. There are many variables that account for exposures. It easy to blame a mask and ignore possible causes. The low exposure numbers tells me so.
Of the many Covid patients I treated, I remain negative for antibodies. In my department, two tested positive. One was from a direct patient contact from the very first days of Covid. A time when we allowed patients to refuse swabs. And did not have safety measures in place. they were intubated, placed on a vent, survived a code, and is still out on medical leave. The second was hospitalized after returning from vacation, and has been on home oxygen for weeks. Most likely will require pulmonary rehab.