Decontamination of mobile phones and electronic devices for health care professionals using a chlorhexidine/carbomer 940® gel

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 192-198
Author(s):  
Rafael Muniz de Oliveira ◽  
Nereida Mello da Rosa Gioppo ◽  
Jancineide Oliveira de Carvalho ◽  
Francilio Carvalho Oliveira ◽  
Thomas Jay Webster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Carbomer 940

scholarly journals Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Bacteria Isolated from Mobile Phones of Health Care Professionals Working in Gondar Town Health Centers

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muktar Gashaw ◽  
Daniel Abtew ◽  
Zelalem Addis
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Susceptibility Pattern ◽  
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern ◽  
Standard Procedures ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Gondar Town

Background. Mobile phones of health professionals can harbor various potential pathogens and become exogenous sources of infection for the patients, self, and family members. This study assessed the frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacteria from mobile phones of health care workers. Methods. In this crosssectional study a total of 58 health care professionals mobile phones were swabbed before and after decontamination with 70% alcohol and assessed for contamination with bacteria. Bacterial isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility test was done as per the standard procedures. Results. About 98% of the mobile phones assessed in this study were contaminated with bacteria. Coagulase negative Staphylococci, S. aureus, and E. coli were the most frequently isolated bacteria. Decontamination with 70% alcohol significantly decreased the rate of contamination from 98.3% to 55.2% (χ2=30.17;P-value<0.0001). About 17% of the isolates were resistant to two drugs. Conclusion. Appropriate infection prevention measures should be taken to minimize the risk that could be associated with mobile phones since the rate of contamination was high. Decontamination with 70% alcohol was effective in minimizing bacterial contamination of mobile phones so it should be used as a decontaminant agent for these apparatuses.

scholarly journals Digital Health and Inequalities in Access to Health Services in Bangladesh: Mixed Methods Study

10.2196/16473 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e16473
Author(s):  
Tanvir Ahmed ◽  
Syed Jafar Raza Rizvi ◽  
Sabrina Rasheed ◽  
Mohammad Iqbal ◽  
Abbas Bhuiya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Technical Skill ◽  
Integrating Technology ◽  
Access To Health

Background Globally, the rapid growth of technology and its use as a development solution has generated much interest in digital health. In line with global trends, Bangladesh is also integrating technology into its health system to address disparities. Strong political endorsement and uptake of digital platforms by the government has influenced the rapid proliferation of such initiatives in the country. This paper aims to examine the implications of digital health on access to health care in Bangladesh, considering who uses electronic devices to access health information and services and why. Objective This study aims to understand how access to health care and related information through electronic means (digital health) is affected by sociodemographic determinants (ie, age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, and personal and household ownership of mobile phones) in a semiurban community in Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 854 households (between October 2013 and February 2014) and 20 focus group discussions (between February 2017 and March 2017) were conducted to understand (1) who owns electronic devices; (2) who, among the owners, uses these to access health information and services and why; (3) the awareness of electronic sources of health information; and (4) the role of intermediaries (family members or peers who helped to look for health information using electronic devices). Results A total of 90.3% (771/854) of households (471/854, 55.2% of respondents) owned electronic devices, mostly mobile phones. Among these, 7.2% (34/471) used them to access health information or services. Middle-aged (35-54 years), female, less (or not) educated, and poorer people used these devices the least (α=.05, α is the level of significance). The lack of awareness, discomfort, differences with regular care-seeking habits, lack of understanding and skills, and proximity to a health facility were the main reasons for not using devices to access digital health. Conclusions Although influenced by sociodemographic traits, access to digital health is not merely related to device ownership and technical skill. Rather, it is a combination of general health literacy, phone ownership, material resources, and technical skill as well as social recognition of health needs and inequity. This study’s findings should serve as a basis for better integrating technology within the health system and ensuring equitable access to health care.

scholarly journals Health Care Professionals in the Digital Landscape in India

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 30-36
Author(s):  
Arun Kumar S ◽  
Ankita Wadhwa ◽  
Amol Gramle
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Pharmaceutical Company ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Digital Channels ◽  
Digital Landscape

Internet has become essential to everyone during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown as everything went to virtual. This has made the interactions between Pharmaceutical companies and Health Care Professionals (HCPs) explore digital channels as Medical Representatives (MRs) were not able to efficiently reach the HCPs. This pioneering study was conducted to evaluate the scope of digital channels and uncover insights into the digital behavioral landscape of HCPs to reach them effectively. A proctored, PAN India survey was conducted for health care professionals across diverse specialties and the responses were collected through in-clinic visits, mobile phones (via WhatsApp & SMS) and e-mails. 407 HCPs had actively participated in this survey from across the country. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the outcomes of this research which will help to develop programs directed at the HCPs in India to enhance their knowledge, medicine practice, HCP – patient & HCP – Pharmaceutical company interactions, engagement with the medical community and highlight the areas that they face challenges while accessing information online to better fit in this fast-growing digital landscape of the health sector. This will also cover insights to bridge both physical and digital interactions as ‘Phygital interactions’ that could be followed in the hopeful Post – Covid-19 scenario.

scholarly journals Digital Health and Inequalities in Access to Health Services in Bangladesh: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanvir Ahmed ◽  
Syed Jafar Raza Rizvi ◽  
Sabrina Rasheed ◽  
Mohammad Iqbal ◽  
Abbas Bhuiya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Technical Skill ◽  
Integrating Technology ◽  
Access To Health

BACKGROUND Globally, the rapid growth of technology and its use as a development solution has generated much interest in digital health. In line with global trends, Bangladesh is also integrating technology into its health system to address disparities. Strong political endorsement and uptake of digital platforms by the government has influenced the rapid proliferation of such initiatives in the country. This paper aims to examine the implications of digital health on access to health care in Bangladesh, considering who uses electronic devices to access health information and services and why. OBJECTIVE This study aims to understand how access to health care and related information through electronic means (digital health) is affected by sociodemographic determinants (ie, age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, and personal and household ownership of mobile phones) in a semiurban community in Bangladesh. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 854 households (between October 2013 and February 2014) and 20 focus group discussions (between February 2017 and March 2017) were conducted to understand (1) who owns electronic devices; (2) who, among the owners, uses these to access health information and services and why; (3) the awareness of electronic sources of health information; and (4) the role of intermediaries (family members or peers who helped to look for health information using electronic devices). RESULTS A total of 90.3% (771/854) of households (471/854, 55.2% of respondents) owned electronic devices, mostly mobile phones. Among these, 7.2% (34/471) used them to access health information or services. Middle-aged (35-54 years), female, less (or not) educated, and poorer people used these devices the least (α=.05, α is the level of significance). The lack of awareness, discomfort, differences with regular care-seeking habits, lack of understanding and skills, and proximity to a health facility were the main reasons for not using devices to access digital health. CONCLUSIONS Although influenced by sociodemographic traits, access to digital health is not merely related to device ownership and technical skill. Rather, it is a combination of general health literacy, phone ownership, material resources, and technical skill as well as social recognition of health needs and inequity. This study’s findings should serve as a basis for better integrating technology within the health system and ensuring equitable access to health care.

Improving Communication Skills in Health Care

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-117
Author(s):  
Lynda Katz Wilner ◽  
Marjorie Feinstein-Whittaker
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
International Medical Graduate ◽  
Medical Graduate ◽  
Health Care Environment ◽  
Medical Interpreters ◽  
Accent Modification

Hospital reimbursements are linked to patient satisfaction surveys, which are directly related to interpersonal communication between provider and patient. In today’s health care environment, interactions are challenged by diversity — Limited English proficient (LEP) patients, medical interpreters, International Medical Graduate (IMG) physicians, nurses, and support staff. Accent modification training for health care professionals can improve patient satisfaction and reduce adverse events. Surveys were conducted with medical interpreters and trainers of medical interpreting programs to determine the existence and support for communication skills training, particularly accent modification, for interpreters and non-native English speaking medical professionals. Results of preliminary surveys suggest the need for these comprehensive services. 60.8% believed a heavy accent, poor diction, or a different dialect contributed to medical errors or miscommunication by a moderate to significant degree. Communication programs should also include cultural competency training to optimize patient care outcomes. Examples of strategies for training are included.

The Preschool Stuttering Screen for Health Care Professionals

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-62
Author(s):  
Joseph Donaher ◽  
Christina Deery ◽  
Sarah Vogel
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Developmental Profile

Healthcare professionals require a thorough understanding of stuttering since they frequently play an important role in the identification and differential diagnosis of stuttering for preschool children. This paper introduces The Preschool Stuttering Screen for Healthcare Professionals (PSSHP) which highlights risk factors identified in the literature as being associated with persistent stuttering. By integrating the results of the checklist with a child’s developmental profile, healthcare professionals can make better-informed, evidence-based decisions for their patients.

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