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Published on: Oct 28, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan ( Medical Second Opinion Cell)

COVID: A Reminder To Stay Safe

COVID: A reminder to stay safe

As we approach the second wave of COVID, we need to remain vigilant with our actions to prevent the spread of the virus. We are continuously reminded about wearing a mask in public, maintaining socially distant, and not engaging in risky behavior such as large gatherings. But today we will focus on other forms of transmission. COVID is primarily transmitted by airborne droplets, but spreading the infection through infected surfaces is still feasible. Here we will look at three articles that investigate this mode of transmission.

SARS-COV-2 Survives for 28 days on surfaces

This study by Australian scientists has found that SARS-CoV-2 can survive on surfaces for up to 28 days. The team investigated using the same amounts of virus found on infected individuals, interacting with surfaces such as cotton, paper, stainless steel, glass, and vinyl. Such materials were chosen as they represent commonly touched objects such as mobile phones, ATMs, supermarket checkout regions, items that may not be cleaned regularly enough. Previous research showed the virus could be detected in aerosols for up to three hours, and on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for up to three days.

This study found the virus may survive as long as a week on most surfaces, with enough potency to re-infect. Even after two weeks, there were still plenty of detectable viruses. On other surfaces such as banknotes, the virus could survive as long as a month. The survival of the virus is also potentiated by colder temperatures. The virus is far less likely to survive at 30C than at 6 C, a worrying finding for countries currently approaching winter.

Survival of SARS-CoV 2 on the human skin

We know our skin is host to millions of different bacteria and viruses, but the conditions created by the body alongside the degree of microbial competition actually makes it quite a hostile environment for pathogenic microbes. Hirose et al looked to investigate how well the SARS-CoV-2 virus survives on human skin, using a model. They found that SARS-CoV-2 and the influenza A virus were destroyed more quickly on the skin than other surfaces such as steel, glass, and plastic. However, COVID lasted over 4x longer on skin compared to Influenza A (9 hours vs 1.8 hours).

More importantly, ethanol compounds were found to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 within 15 seconds on human skin. This highlights the importance of regular hand washing, even if with alcohol gel. Taking this in mind, it is useful to keep small bottles of alcohol gel on a person when traveling in public and using it regularly. After all, if you are touching door handles and other items that hundreds of other people may have touched before you, potentially with poor hygiene, it is safer to regularly disinfect.

Low risk of COVID transmission by fomites in real life conditions

Having taken these studies into account, it is quite difficult to quantifiably measure transmission from surface to a person. Knowledge of this transmissibility is quite important, especially to those working in a hospital environment. A review by Mondelli et al published in the prestigious journal The Lancet (Infectious Disease) describes two sequential studies to looking at the possibility of contamination of surfaces in an infectious disease ward of a major Italian hospital, and also whether risk of transmission was higher in emergency rooms and sub-intensive care wards.

These studies found there were very few surfaces in the hospital through which positive swabs could be taken, suggesting contamination was low. Of course the hospitals were running standard cleaning procedures, with regular wipedowns of commonly toughed objects. This again highlights the importance of maintaining hygiene, and how adequate cleanliness can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

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Monthly Field Day with Patients & Staff: Building Stronger Connections for Better Health

Healthcare outcomes are shaped not only by medical treatments but also by trust, communication and community engagement. As healthcare systems in India move toward preventive and patient-centric models, initiatives that foster meaningful interaction between patients and healthcare professionals are gaining importance. One such initiative is the Monthly Field Day with Patients & Staff.

A field day creates a shared space where patients and healthcare teams interact beyond clinical settings. These interactions humanise healthcare, improve understanding and encourage long-term wellness practices.

Why Community Engagement Matters in Healthcare

Modern healthcare recognises that health is influenced by behaviour, awareness and social support. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and NITI Aayog, community-based health engagement improves preventive care adoption and patient outcomes.

Field days help bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients by:

encouraging open dialogue
reducing fear and hesitation
promoting shared responsibility for health

What Is a Monthly Field Day with Patients & Staff?

A Monthly Field Day with Patients & Staff is a structured wellness initiative organised outside the routine clinical environment. It focuses on interaction, education and preventive health activities.

Typical elements include:

basic health screenings
lifestyle education sessions
fitness or relaxation activities
informal conversations with healthcare staff
family and caregiver participation

The aim is to create a supportive and approachable healthcare experience.

Why Monthly Frequency Matters

Consistency is key in behaviour change and preventive health.

Monthly field days:

reinforce health messages regularly
build familiarity and trust
allow continuous follow-up
keep wellness top of mind

According to public health studies, repeated engagement significantly improves health literacy and adherence.

Benefits for Patients

1. Improved Health Awareness

Patients gain better understanding of:

chronic disease management
preventive screenings
nutrition and lifestyle habits

Education in informal settings improves retention.

2. Increased Comfort with Healthcare Teams

Regular interaction reduces anxiety and hesitation around seeking medical care.

Patients are more likely to:

ask questions
follow medical advice
attend follow-ups

3. Early Risk Identification

Field days often include basic screenings that help detect:

high blood pressure
elevated blood sugar
obesity risk

Early identification enables timely intervention.

4. Enhanced Emotional Wellbeing

Social interaction and community activities reduce feelings of isolation, especially among elderly or chronically ill patients.

Benefits for Healthcare Staff

1. Better Understanding of Patient Needs

Direct interaction outside clinical settings helps staff understand patient challenges more holistically.

2. Improved Communication Skills

Informal engagement strengthens empathy and communication effectiveness.

3. Reduced Burnout

Positive patient interaction and community appreciation contribute to staff morale and job satisfaction.

WHO recognises staff wellbeing as a critical factor in healthcare quality.

Role of Field Days in Preventive Healthcare

Preventive healthcare focuses on reducing disease burden before complications arise. Field days support prevention by:

promoting routine screenings
encouraging healthy lifestyle habits
addressing myths and misconceptions
reinforcing long-term care plans

NITI Aayog identifies community engagement as a cornerstone of preventive healthcare strategies.

Activities Commonly Included in Field Days

Health Screening Stations

Blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI and basic assessments.

Wellness Education

Short talks on nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress.

Interactive Sessions

Q&A discussions with doctors, nurses and health educators.

Physical Activities

Group walks, yoga sessions or light exercises.

Family Engagement

Including caregivers improves adherence and support systems.

Impact on Chronic Disease Management

For patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, regular engagement:

improves medication adherence
reinforces lifestyle modification
reduces emergency visits

Lancet studies highlight that community-based interventions improve chronic disease outcomes.

Building Trust Through Transparency

Field days foster trust by:

making healthcare providers approachable
encouraging open dialogue
demonstrating commitment to patient wellbeing

Trust improves treatment adherence and satisfaction.

Role of Data and Feedback

Feedback collected during field days helps healthcare organisations:

identify common concerns
refine wellness programs
personalise future interventions

Data-driven engagement enhances program effectiveness.

Long-Term Impact on Healthcare Outcomes

Organisations that invest in regular patient-staff engagement observe:

higher patient satisfaction
improved preventive screening rates
reduced disease complications
stronger community relationships

According to WHO, patient-centred care models improve health outcomes and system efficiency.

Why Field Days Are Especially Relevant in India

India’s diverse population faces challenges such as:

limited health literacy
delayed care-seeking
chronic disease burden

Community-based initiatives like field days address these challenges through education and trust-building.

Conclusion

A Monthly Field Day with Patients & Staff is more than a community event—it is a strategic preventive healthcare initiative. By fostering open communication, promoting health awareness and strengthening relationships, field days improve patient engagement and staff wellbeing alike. In a healthcare landscape increasingly focused on prevention and community trust, regular field days play a vital role in building healthier, more connected communities.

References

ICMR – Community Health and Preventive Care Reports
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Health Awareness and Engagement Dat
NITI Aayog – Community-Based Preventive Healthcare Strategies
WHO – Patient-Centred Care and Community Health Guidelines
Lancet – Community Engagement and Health Outcome Studies
Statista – Healthcare Engagement and Preventive Care Trends India
EY-FICCI – Healthcare Workforce and Patient Engagement Reports

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