Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews for controlling the dissemination of COVID-19 infection. A narrative review

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

COVID-19 infection has high transmissibility and several measures have been adopted for controlling its dissemination.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify and summarize the evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews (SRs) regarding measures for controlling the dissemination of COVID-19 infection.

DESIGN AND SETTING:

This review of Cochrane SRs was carried out in the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and in the Division of Emergency Medicine and Evidence-Based Medicine of Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS:

A comprehensive search in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews retrieved all Cochrane SRs directly related to measures for controlling COVID-19 dissemination. The main characteristics and results of all the SRs included were summarized and discussed.

RESULTS:

Three Cochrane SRs were included in the qualitative synthesis. These evaluated population-based and individual measures for controlling the dissemination of COVID-19.

CONCLUSION:

Low-certainty evidence shows that quarantine for people exposed to confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases prevented 44% to 81% of incident cases and 31% to 63% of deaths, compared with situations of no measures. Moreover, the sooner the quarantine measures were implemented, the greater the cost savings were. High-confidence evidence showed that clear communication about infection control and prevention guidelines was vital for successful implementation. Low-certainty evidence showed that healthcare professionals with long gowns were less exposed to contamination than were those using coveralls. In addition, coveralls were more difficult to doff. Further SRs on controlling the dissemination of COVID-19 infection are desirable.

KEY WORDS (MeSH terms):
Coronavirus infections; Coronavirus; Review [publication type]; Evidence-based practice; Pandemics; Quarantine; Personal protective equipment; Severe acute respiratory syndrome

AUTHORS’ KEY WORDS:
Infection prevention protocols; Evidence synthesis; Rapid reviews

Associação Paulista de Medicina - APM APM / Publicações Científicas, Av. Brigadeiro Luís Antonio, 278 - 7º and., 01318-901 São Paulo SP - Brazil, Tel.: +55 11 3188-4310 / 3188-4311, Fax: +55 11 3188-4255 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revistas@apm.org.br