scholarly journals 5 It’s Time to Rethink How We Screen for Communicable Diseases in the Emergency Department: Lessons Learned From COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. S3
Author(s):  
M.A. DiLorenzo ◽  
M.R. Davis ◽  
J.N. Dugas ◽  
K.P. Nelson ◽  
R. Grochow Mishuris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Lessons Learned

scholarly journals Mentoring upcoming researchers for non-communicable diseases’ research and practice in Malawi

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adamson S. Muula ◽  
Mina C. Hosseinipour ◽  
Martha Makwero ◽  
Johnstone Kumwenda ◽  
Prosper Lutala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Capacity ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
National Institutes Of Health ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Mentorship Program ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Blood Institute ◽  
Research Mentorship ◽  
National Heart Lung

AbstractThe Malawi College of Medicine and its partners are building non-communicable diseases’ (NCDs’) research capacity through a grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. Several strategies are being implemented including research mentorship for junior researchers interested to build careers in NCDs’ research. In this article, we present the rationale for and our experiences with this mentorship program over its 2 years of implementation. Lessons learned and the challenges are also shared.

scholarly journals Effective Utilization of Limited Isolation Rooms to Provide Safe Patient Care and Staff Safety in a Low- and Middle-Income Country

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s203-s204
Author(s):  
Rozina Roshanali
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Safe Patient Care ◽  
Bed Management ◽  
Resource Setting

Background: My tertiary-care hospital is a 750-bed hospital with only 17 airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) and negative-pressure rooms to isolate patients who have been diagnosed or are suspected with prevalent diseases like tuberculosis, measles, and chickenpox. On the other hand, only 14 single-patient isolation rooms are available to isolate patients with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) such as CRE (carbapenum-resistant Enterobacter) or colistin-resistant MDROs. Due to the limited number of isolation rooms, the average number of hours to isolate infected patients was ~20 hours, which ultimately directly placed healthcare workers (HCWs) at risk of exposure to infected patients. Methods: Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) quality improvement methodology was utilized to decrease the average number of hours to isolate infected patients and to reduce the exposure of HCWs to communicable diseases. A detailed analysis were performed to identify root causes and their effects at multiple levels. A multidisciplinary team implemented several strategies: coordination with information and technology team to place isolation alerts in the charting system; screening flyers and questions at emergency department triage; close coordination with admission and bed management office; daily morning and evening rounds by infection preventionists in the emergency department; daily morning meeting with microbiology and bed management office to intervene immediately to isolate patients in a timely way; infection preventionist on-call system (24 hours per day, 7 days per week) to provide recommendations for patient placement and cohorting of infected patients wherever possible. Results: In 1 year, a significant reduction was achieved in the number of hours to isolate infected patients, from 20 hours to 4 hours. As a result, HCW exposures to communicable diseases also decreased from 6.7 to 1.5; HCW exposures to TB decreased from 6.0 to 1.9; exposures measles decreased from 4.75 to 1.5; and exposures chickenpox decreased from 7.3 to 1.0. Significant reductions in cost incurred by the organization for the employees who were exposed to these diseases for postexposure prophylaxis also decreased, from ~Rs. 290,000 (~US$3,000) to ~Rs. 59,520 (~US$600). Conclusions: This multidisciplinary approach achieved infection prevention improvements and enhanced patient and HCW safety in a limited-resource setting.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

Process and findings informing the development of a provincial emergency medicine network

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 253-258
Author(s):  
Riyad B. Abu-Laban ◽  
Sharla Drebit ◽  
Brandy Svendson ◽  
Natalie Chan ◽  
Kendall Ho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Brand Identity ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Network Resources ◽  
Internet Resources ◽  
Scoping Literature Review ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Medical Disciplines

We describe the process undertaken to inform the development of the recently launched British Columbia (BC) Emergency Medicine Network (EM Network). Five methods were undertaken: (1) a scoping literature review, (2) a survey of BC emergency practitioners and EM residents, (3) key informant interviews, (4) focus groups in sites across BC, and (5) establishment of a brand identity. There were 208 survey respondents: 84% reported consulting Internet resources once or more per emergency department shift; however, 26% reported feeling neutral, somewhat unsatisfied, or very unsatisfied with searching for information on the Internet to support their practice. Enthusiasm was expressed for envisioned EM Network resources, and the key informant interviews and focus group results helped identify and refine key desired components of the EM Network. In describing this, we provide guidance and lessons learned for health leaders and others who aspire to establish similar clinical networks, whether in EM or other medical disciplines.

P035: Development of a province-wide audit program for return visits to the emergency department

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S89-S90
Author(s):  
L.B. Chartier ◽  
O. Ostrow ◽  
I. Yuen ◽  
S. Kutty ◽  
B. Davis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Improve Patient Care ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Quality And Safety ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Clinical Observations ◽  
Quality Program ◽  
Physician Leaders

Introduction: Routine auditing of charts of patients with an emergency department (ED) return visit (RV) resulting in hospital admission can uncover quality and safety gaps in care. This feedback can be helpful to clinicians, administrators, and leaders working to improve clinical outcomes, increase patient satisfaction, and promote high-value care. Health Quality Ontario (HQO) has been tasked by Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) to manage the newly created ED RV Quality Program (RVQP), which mandates EDs participating in the Pay-for-Results (P4R) program to audit a minimum of 25-50 RVs/year. The goal of the first-ever ED-specific province-wide Quality Improvement (QI) initiative of this kind is to promote a culture of QI that will lead to improved patient care. Methods: Participating hospitals receive quarterly confidential reports from Access to Care (ATC) that show their and other hospitals’ rates of RVs, as well as identifying information for patients meeting RV inclusion criteria at their ED (within 72 hrs of index visit, or within 7 days with specific diagnoses). HQO has partnered with QI experts and ED physician-leaders to develop various guidance materials. These materials have been disseminated through various media. Hospitals are conducting audits to identify underlying quality issues, take steps to address the underlying causes, and submit reports to HQO. A taskforce will then analyze clinical observations, summarize key findings and lessons learned, and share improvements at a provincial level through an annual report. Results: Since its launch in April 2016, 73 P4R and 16 voluntarily enrolled non-P4R hospitals (which collectively receive approximately 90% of ED visits in the province) are participating in the RVQP. ED leaders have engaged their hospital’s leadership to leverage interest and resources to improve patient care in the ED. To date, hospitals have conducted thousands of audits and have identified quality and safety gaps to address, which will be analyzed in February 2017 for reporting shortly thereafter. These will inform QI endeavours locally and provincially, and be the largest source of such data ever created in Ontario. Conclusion: The ED RVQP aims to create a culture of continuous QI in the Ontario health care system, which provides care to over 13.8 million people. Other jurisdictions can replicate this model to promote high-quality care.

scholarly journals 308. Slow Adoption of a Nurse-Driven Protocol for Universal Hepatitis C Virus Screening in a Hospital Emergency Department: Lessons Learned

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S165-S165
Author(s):  
Zainab Wasti ◽  
Dagan Coppock ◽  
Zsofia Szep ◽  
Tiffany Scott ◽  
Taneesa Franks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Baby Boomers ◽  
Public Health Intervention ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Seroprevalence Rate ◽  
Screening Protocol ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
Hcv Testing

Abstract Background In areas with a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, emergency department (ED) visits may provide unique opportunities for screening. The catchment area for Hahnemann University Hospital (HUH) has an HCV seroprevalence rate of >20%. However, limited data exist addressing HCV testing strategies in the ED. This study describes the experience of piloting a nurse-driven HCV screening protocol in an urban hospital ED. Methods A nurse-driven HCV screening protocol was developed and implemented on August 1, 2018. We performed a retrospective analysis of the protocol’s performance from July 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018. Patients who were evaluated in the ED and had blood collected were analyzed. We provided universal HCV screening regardless of age or risk factors. If HCV-positive by antibody screen and viral load confirmation, an attempt was made to link patients to care. Linkage was defined as having received an inpatient evaluation by either infectious diseases or hepatology physician. Results Among 20,705 unique patients seen in the ED, 7841 (38%) had blood work collected. 821 (10.5%) patients had HCV antibody testing. After the implementation of the nurse-driven protocol, the testing rate increased from 68/1340 (5.1%) to 753/6501 (11.6%). 260 Baby Boomers (born between 1945–1965) were screened, of which 60 (23.1%) had positive screens. 561 non-Baby Boomers were screened, of which 30 (5.4%) had positive screens. Barriers of implementing nurse-driven protocol were: (1) multiple steps of the ordering process in the electronic medical record (EMR), (2) the complexity of staff schedules, and (3) staff concerns regarding the disclosure of HCV test results. Among the patients who were diagnosed with chronic HCV, 60 % were linked to care for treatment. Conclusion We piloted a nurse-driven universal HCV testing protocol in the ED of a hospital with high HCV prevalence. Though the screening rate doubled, it was still low. We identified barriers that may be addressed to improve future screening rates. In areas with a high seroprevalence of HCV, universal screening may be an excellent public health intervention to identify asymptomatic HCV-infected patients. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals The role of emergency department HIV care in resource-poor settings: lessons learned in western Kenya

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Waxman ◽  
Paul Muganda ◽  
E. Jane Carter ◽  
Neford Ongaro
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Resource Poor

CAEP Position Statement – Sick notes for minor illness

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-476
Author(s):  
Jesse McLaren ◽  
Kate Hayman ◽  
Hasan Sheikh
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Position Statement ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Healthcare Resources ◽  
Minor Illness

Employer- and school-mandated verification of minor illness leads patients to use healthcare resources solely to obtain a “sick note.” This puts unnecessary strain on the patient and the emergency department (ED), and threatens to spread communicable diseases in our community.

An In Situ Simulation-Based Training Approach to Active Shooter Response in the Emergency Department

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 345-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S. Mannenbach ◽  
Carol J. Fahje ◽  
Kharmene L. Sunga ◽  
Matthew D. Sztajnkrycer
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Training Model ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Active Shooter ◽  
In Situ Simulation

ABSTRACTWith an increased number of active shooter events in the United States, emergency departments are challenged to ensure preparedness for these low frequency but high stakes events. Engagement of all emergency department personnel can be very challenging due to a variety of barriers. This article describes the use of an in situ simulation training model as a component of active shooter education in one emergency department. The educational tool was intentionally developed to be multidisciplinary in planning and involvement, to avoid interference with patient care and to be completed in the true footprint of the work space of the participants. Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive both in terms of added value and avoidance of creating secondary emotional or psychological stress. The specific barriers and methods to overcome implementation are outlined. Although the approach was used in only one department, the approach and lessons learned can be applied to other emergency departments in their planning and preparation. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:345–352)

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