Healthcare worker personal protective equipment (PPE) training programs in Australia and New Zealand hospitals – a survey

Abstract Background Healthcare workers are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection during care encounters compared to the general population. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have been shown to protect COVID-19 among healthcare workers, however, Kenya has faced PPE shortages that can adequately protect all healthcare workers. We, therefore, examined the health and economic consequences of investing in PPE for healthcare workers in Kenya. Methods We conducted a cost-effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) analysis using a decision-analytic model following the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) guidelines. We examined two outcomes: 1) the incremental cost per healthcare worker death averted, and 2) the incremental cost per healthcare worker COVID-19 case averted. We performed a multivariate sensitivity analysis using 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations. Results Kenya would need to invest $3.12 million (95% CI: 2.65–3.59) to adequately protect healthcare workers against COVID-19. This investment would avert 416 (IQR: 330–517) and 30,041 (IQR: 7243 – 102,480) healthcare worker deaths and COVID-19 cases respectively. Additionally, such an investment would result in a healthcare system ROI of $170.64 million (IQR: 138–209) – equivalent to an 11.04 times return. Conclusion Despite other nationwide COVID-19 prevention measures such as social distancing, over 70% of healthcare workers will still be infected if the availability of PPE remains scarce. As part of the COVID-19 response strategy, the government should consider adequate investment in PPE for all healthcare workers in the country as it provides a large return on investment and it is value for money.

Download Full-text

The Feasibility of an Infection Control “Safe Zone” in a Spinal Cord Injury Unit

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2016.37 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (6) ◽

pp. 714-716 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Keshonna Lones ◽

Swetha Ramanathan ◽

Margaret Fitzpatrick ◽

Jennifer N. Hill ◽

Marylou Guihan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Infection Control ◽

Healthcare Worker ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Safe Zone ◽

Infect Control Hosp ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Cord Injury

We report on healthcare worker use of a safe zone (outside a 3-foot perimeter around the patient’s bed) and personal protective equipment in 2 inpatient spinal cord injury/disorder units. Workers remained within the safe zone during 22% of observations but were less compliant with personal protective equipment inside the zone.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:714–716

Download Full-text

Evaluating Healthcare Worker Competence in the Correct Use of Personal Protective Equipment in the COVID Era: A Quality Improvement Project

Cureus ◽

10.7759/cureus.11954 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Max Prokopenko ◽

Maria Katerina Pissaridou ◽

Omar Risk ◽

Harman Khatkar

Keyword(s):

Quality Improvement ◽

Healthcare Worker ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Quality Improvement Project ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Improvement Project

Download Full-text

Examining the Cost-effectiveness of Personal Protective Equipment for Formal Healthcare Workers in Kenya during the COVID-19 Pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-479486/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jacob Kazungu ◽

Kenneth Munge ◽

Kalin Werner ◽

Nicholas Risko ◽

Andres Vecino Ortiz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Healthcare Worker ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Return On Investment ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Health Economic Evaluation ◽

Response Strategy ◽

Decision Analytic Model ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

The Cost

Abstract Background: Healthcare workers are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection during care encounters compared to the general population. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have been shown to protect COVID-19 among healthcare workers, however, Kenya has faced PPE shortages that can adequately protect all healthcare workers. We, therefore, examined the health and economic consequences of investing in PPE for healthcare workers in Kenya. Methods: We conducted a cost-effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) analysis using a decision-analytic model following the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) guidelines. We examined two outcomes: 1) the cost per healthcare worker death averted, and 2) the cost per healthcare worker COVID-19 case averted. We performed a multivariate sensitivity analysis using 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations. Results: Kenya would need to invest $3.12 million to adequately protect healthcare workers against COVID-19. This investment would avert 416 and 30,041 healthcare worker deaths and COVID-19 cases respectively. Additionally, such an investment would result in a societal ROI of $170.64 million – equivalent to an 11.04 times return. Conclusion: Despite other nationwide COVID-19 prevention measures such as social distancing, over 70% of healthcare workers will still be infected if the availability of PPE remains scarce. As part of the COVID-19 response strategy, the government should consider adequate investment in PPE for all healthcare workers in the country as it provides a large return on investment and it is value for money.

Download Full-text

Determining the source of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a healthcare worker

10.1101/2020.04.27.20077016 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nasia Safdar ◽

Gage K. Moreno ◽

Katarina M. Braun ◽

Thomas C. Friedrich ◽

David H. O’Connor

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Healthcare Worker ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Total Population ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Hospital Infection Control ◽

Risk Of Exposure ◽

N95 Respirators ◽

Cumulative Prevalence

BackgroundHealthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and are at risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection from their interactions with patients and in the community (1, 2). Limited availability of recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), in particular N95 respirators, has fueled concerns about whether HCWs are adequately protected from exposure while caring for patients. Understanding the source of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a HCW – the community or the healthcare system – is critical for understanding the effectiveness of hospital infection control and PPE practices. In Dane County, Wisconsin, community prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 is relatively low (cumulative prevalence of ~0.06% – positive cases / total population in Dane county as of April 17). Although SARS-CoV-2 infections in HCWs are often presumed to be acquired during the course of patient care, there are few reports unambiguously identifying the source of acquisition.ObjectiveTo determine the source of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a healthcare worker.

Download Full-text

Personal protective equipment and intensive care unit healthcare worker safety in the COVID-19 era (PPE-SAFE): An international survey

Journal of Critical Care ◽

10.1016/j.jcrc.2020.06.005 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 59 ◽

pp. 70-75 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Alexis Tabah ◽

Mahesh Ramanan ◽

Kevin B. Laupland ◽

Niccolò Buetti ◽

Andrea Cortegiani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Healthcare Worker ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Worker Safety ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

International Survey

Download Full-text

Neurosurgical education during COVID-19: challenges and lessons learned in Egypt

The Egyptian Journal of Neurology Psychiatry and Neurosurgery ◽

10.1186/s41983-020-00242-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ahmed Hamdy Ashry ◽

Hussein Mohammed Soffar ◽

Mohamed Fathalla Alsawy

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Education ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Training Programs ◽

Well Being ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Primary Concern ◽

The Impact ◽

Neurosurgical Education

Abstract Background The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has disrupted the routine neurosurgical education and practice worldwide and so more in developing countries. Continuing the neurosurgical training while maintaining the well-being of our residents should be the primary concern of leaders of training programs. Objectives The aim of this cross-sectional study was the evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 on neurosurgical residency programs and neurosurgical practice in five tertiary medical centers in our country. We also aimed at detecting the shortcomings in training programs and provide solutions. Methods An online questionnaire-based survey was prepared and sent to 73 neurosurgery residents in 5 tertiary centers in 4 governorates by social networks. The questions focused on the evaluation of clinical and surgical activities before and after the pandemic. Safety precautions, education, and residents’ mental health were also evaluated. Results Fifty residents responded to our survey. We identified a significant reduction in surgical cases, inpatient services, and working hours per week during the pandemic comparing to the pre-pandemic era. We also identified a significant increase in research hours and changes in educational methods from in-person methods to virtual ones. Seventy-four percent reported that personal protective equipment was not adequate for their duties. Sixty-eight percent experienced burnout symptoms. Unavailability of personal protective equipment, negative concerns regarding the surgical career, and financial strains significantly affected the mental health of residents. Conclusions The survey highlighted the negative impact of COVID-19 on neurosurgical practice and education. Being in a developing country, this negative effect was amplified due to financial reasons and weak infrastructure. Inadequate personal protective equipment increased the risk of infection and work-related stress among neurosurgery residents. We lacked telemedicine services in our country. Online education gained more visibility and awareness.

Download Full-text