scholarly journals Mitigating the Twin Threats of Climate-Driven Atlantic Hurricanes and COVID-19 Transmission

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 494-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Shultz ◽  
James P. Kossin ◽  
Attila Hertelendy ◽  
Fredrick Burkle ◽  
Craig Fugate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Rapid Acquisition ◽  
Atlantic Hurricane ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Emergency Managers ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Atlantic Hurricanes ◽  
Timely Warning

ABSTRACTThe co-occurrence of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season and the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic creates complex dilemmas for protecting populations from these intersecting threats. Climate change is likely contributing to stronger, wetter, slower-moving, and more dangerous hurricanes. Climate-driven hazards underscore the imperative for timely warning, evacuation, and sheltering of storm-threatened populations – proven life-saving protective measures that gather evacuees together inside durable, enclosed spaces when a hurricane approaches. Meanwhile, the rapid acquisition of scientific knowledge regarding how COVID-19 spreads has guided mass anti-contagion strategies, including lockdowns, sheltering at home, physical distancing, donning personal protective equipment, conscientious handwashing, and hygiene practices. These life-saving strategies, credited with preventing millions of COVID-19 cases, separate and move people apart. Enforcement coupled with fear of contracting COVID-19 have motivated high levels of adherence to these stringent regulations. How will populations react when warned to shelter from an oncoming Atlantic hurricane while COVID-19 is actively circulating in the community? Emergency managers, health care providers, and public health preparedness professionals must create viable solutions to confront these potential scenarios: elevated rates of hurricane-related injury and mortality among persons who refuse to evacuate due to fear of COVID-19, and the resurgence of COVID-19 cases among hurricane evacuees who shelter together.

scholarly journals Genital hygiene behaviors and practices: A cross-sectional descriptive study among antenatal care attendees

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Martial Nkamedjie Pete ◽  
Rodrigue Mabvouna Biguioh ◽  
André Gael Bita Izacar ◽  
Sali Ben Béchir Adogaye ◽  
Cecile Nguemo
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaginal Douching ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Genital Hygiene ◽  
Antiseptic Solutions

The female genital tracts harbor a wide variety of microorganisms’ knowns as microflora mostly constituted by lactobacilli, involved in the healthy state of the vagina without causing infection. Urinary tract infections (UTI) are frequent in pregnant women due to physiological and anatomical changes that occur during pregnancy. These infections can result to disabilities or serious health problems both for the mother and the new-born. Vaginal douching has been reported among risky practices associate with UTIs. However, this remains debatable and contradictory when other studies report the benefit effects of vaginal cleaning in infection prevention. The aim of this study was to assess pregnant women behaviors and practices regarding genital hygiene. This was a cross sectional descriptive study conducted on exhaustive sample of pregnant women coming for antenatal visits in Lafé Sub-divisional Hospital (SDH) and Baleng Catholic Health Center (BCHC) between 16 and 30 September 2013. Data were collected using a paper based standardized questionnaire directly self-administered after obtain a free consent. Overall, 80 pregnant women were enrolled. The majority of them had attended at least primary education (97.5%; n=78/80) and many were lived in couple (81.25%; n=65/80). Almost one on three participants identified antenatal consultation (ANC) as a key element to be taken into account by pregnant women. 70.1% (n=56/80) of women declared wearing undergarments in cotton. Regarding the daily vaginal douching behaviors, the majority (76.3%; n=61/80) of participants used the recommended gynecological measure, while the remaining use self-prescribed measures. Both genital parts (vulva area and vagina) were cleaned and use of water was mostly cited (63.8%; n=51/80). Almost one participant on four (n=29/80) use antiseptic solutions for genital cleaning. Antiseptic solutions were associated with water in 34.5% of cases (n=10/29), and in 65.5% (n=19/29) of cases it was used only for the vagina. Our findings suggest that knowledge and genital hygiene cleaning practices are acceptable among our study population. Risky practices such as use of antiseptic solutions and synthetic underwear’s were reported. Skills of health care providers on good hygiene practices for pregnant should be improved and community-based communication strategies need to be implemented to reach all women of child bearing age.

scholarly journals Rhinologic Procedures in the Era of COVID-19: Health-care Provider Protection Protocol

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed A. Taha ◽  
Christian A. Hall ◽  
Richard F. Rathbone ◽  
Luke A. Corsten ◽  
Charles R. Bowie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Post Evaluation ◽  
Contact Transmission ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

Introduction SARS-CoV-2 has been identified as the pathogen causing the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) that started in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. SARS-CoV-2 has human-to-human transmission ability and universally contagious to all populations. The main transmission patterns are respiratory droplets transmission and contact transmission. The purpose of this study is to propose a protocol that may be used as a guide to reduce the incidence of COVID-19 infections among otolaryngology care teams. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to show the efficacy of our protocol to prevent transmission to health-care providers from March 11, 2020 through April 14, 2020. The protocol consisted of a series of protective measures that we applied to all health-care providers, then testing of our providers for COVID-19 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction along with immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) testing at the end of the study period to ensure effectiveness. Results Our protocol resulted in zero transmissions to our health-care providers during the duration of the initial study. We were involved in greater than 150 sinonasal, skull base, open airway, and endoscopy procedures during this study. At the conclusion of the initial 5 weeks, we had no health-care providers test positive for SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion According to our proposed protocol, we were able to provide care for all patients in clinic, hospital, emergent, intensive, and surgical settings with no transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by symptomatology and post evaluation testing.

Creating Coronary Care Units and Empowering Nurses

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Bruce Fye
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Vulnerable Patients ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Coronary Care ◽  
Infarction Heart ◽  
Coronary Care Units

The coronary care unit (CCU) concept was proposed in 1961 as a strategy to save the lives of patients hospitalized after an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). The notion was to place vulnerable patients in an area where their heartbeats were monitored continuously and where specially trained nurses could initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a patient had a cardiac arrest. Cardiac defibrillators and temporary pacemakers, technologies developed in the 1950s to treat life-threatening heart rhythms, were combined with CPR in 1960 in an attempt save patients’ lives. Nurses played a vital role in CCUs, and the new care model transformed the traditional nurse-doctor relationship. Nurses were trained to initiate life-saving treatments without a physician being present. The resulting empowerment of nurses had significant implications for their status as health care providers. The CCU movement also contributed to the development of cardiac arrest teams and paramedic-staffed, defibrillator-equipped ambulances.

Management of perinatal HPP during critical illness/ECMO

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neetu Krishnan ◽  
Nancy Dunbar
Keyword(s):  
Critical Illness ◽  
Respiratory Distress ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Bone Mineralization ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Enzyme Replacement ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Chest X Ray

Abstract Objectives With the advent of asfotase alfa, the enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) approved for hypophosphatasia (HPP), health care providers need to navigate management of ERT during critical illness. Case presentation We present the case of a young girl, treated with ERT for severe perinatal HPP, who had cardiorespiratory arrest in the setting of influenza A. Her life-saving treatment involving extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) required a two-week interruption of ERT leading to persistent hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. A three year old female presented with respiratory distress and blood tinged secretions. She was influenza A positive with bilateral opacities on chest X-ray (CXR). Worsening respiratory distress and bradycardic arrest required intubation, CPR and venoarterial ECMO cannulation. She remained on ECMO for 10 days with anticoagulation restrictions requiring her thrice-weekly subcutaneous ERT to be held. Hypercalcemia (12.3 mg/dL) and hyperphosphatemia (7.6 mg/dL) developed two weeks after restarting ERT and resolved six weeks later. Conclusions We highlight that the obligatory cessation of ERT while on ECMO led to the loss of functional TNSALP with a profound decrease in bone mineralization leading to excess circulating calcium and phosphorus. In cases where it is necessary to interrupt ERT, we advise close monitoring of calcium and phosphorous levels.

scholarly journals Use of rabies immune globulin in seven urban emergency rooms in Pakistan

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naseem Salahuddin ◽  
Khadija Mubashar ◽  
Naila Baig-Ansari
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Room ◽  
Immune Globulin ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Human Rabies ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Emergency Rooms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Background: Human rabies is a fatal infectious disease that is entirely preventable if correct and timely postexposure prophylaxis is given. Unfortunately, rabies immune globulin (RIG) administration, a life-saving biological, is often avoided by Emergency Room health care providers (HCPs). Objective: To understand the practices of HCPs for administration of RIG in severe dog-bite exposures, which are common causes of emergency room visits in Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 103 HCPs working in seven hospitals in three cities of Pakistan. Results: Of 103 HCPs who responded to the questionnaires, 97.1% had administered rabies vaccine and 31.1% had administered ERIG in the past three years of their practice; three quarters said they would prefer to use HRIG if available; 35% said they would not inject wounds at all, 24.3% would only vaccinate a patient with severe dog bites, but not administer RIG. More than 55% were concerned about the cost of human and equine RIG. Conclusion: Although there is awareness about use of RIG, this life saving biological is grossly underused because of poor availability in Emergency Rooms (ERs) even though stocked by local dealers. Animal bite centers must make RIG available for severe exposures.

scholarly journals Awareness and Preparedness of Egyptian House Officers toward COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Management Team ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Protective Measures

Background: The recent spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) led to shortage of health care providers in all countries. House officers and medical students may have a role in solving this problem. Objective: The study aims to measure and discuss the readiness of Egyptian house to be part of the health system facing the current COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional online questionnaire was conducted on sample of house officers from different Egyptian universities through announcement on social media groups over a period of one month during May 2020. Results: Nine-hundred seventy four Egyptian house officers participated in this study. Only 38.8% of respondent agreed to be a member of COVID-19 management team, 70.4% of participants depend on social media as a source for their information. The analysis of the results shows that participants significantly need more information about the protective measures and how to report suspected cases. Conclusions: Egyptian house officers need more training before being involved in the health care system for facing COVID-19.

How Much is Due to Health Care Providers?

1988 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 97-109
Author(s):  
Albert Weale
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Expenditures ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Resources ◽  
Medical Need ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Formal Principle

How much by way of economic reward is due to health care providers?Although this problem usually presents itself as a practical matter of policy, it has buried within it a number of philosophical issues, for it can be regarded as a question in the theory of economic justice. The formal principle of justice is that we should render persons what is due to them. But on what consideration in the case of health care providers can we make an assessment of what is due?The answer we give to this question has significant implications for the ethical appraisal of the allocation of resources in the health care system. Some of the most difficult issues of ethical appraisal emerge when we consider the problems of allocating potentially life-saving resources between different groups of patients. Many of the most significant current issues in medical ethics—the role of QALYs, the meaning of equality and the economic evaluation of life—find their point of reference in the ‘tragic choices’ that are created when there are insufficient resources to meet apparently legitimate medical need. Yet, as Robert Evans has pointed out, it is a simple matter of accounting identity that health care expenditures must equal health providers' incomes. So, in asking how we limit or allocate costly health care resources, we are implicitly offering an answer to the question of how much we should pay providers. I hope by seeking an answer explicitly to that question to throw light on the problems that are raised when considering ethically the allocation of health care resources.

scholarly journals Rapid scientific update response to public health professions during Phase I of COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Caminada ◽  
A Angelozzi ◽  
A Barbaro ◽  
G Brambilla ◽  
D Carusi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Technical Committee ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Emergency Managers ◽  
Cross Linkage ◽  
Scientific Technical

Abstract Issue Preparedness can be considered the Achilles heel in Western Coutries to adequately fight Sars-CoV-2 pandemy. The Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) has been challenged to give rapid technical and scientific advices to the State and Regions on a huge variety of Sars-CoV-2 aspects related to public health. Description of the problem Rapid and timely accumulation of knowledge and empirical evidence is critical for policymakers and emergency managers to maximally inform their decisions through scientific evidence and to better guide and mobilise the expertise of academics and general practitioners towards effective solutions. Results An ad hoc “Scientific Literature working group” at ISS in the period 23/03 - 31/05 screened a total of 4,568 pre-prints and 15,590 peer reviewed papers extracted from PubMed, arXiv.org, medRxiv and bioRxiv, which gave rise to the following deliverables: a) a daily pre-prints alert selection delivered to ISS President for the routine national Scientific Technical Committee meetings on Sars-CoV-2 chaired by Italian Civil Protection (still ongoing), and, b) a weekly open access issue of Covid Contents publications (8 volumes, https://www.iss.it/en/covid-contents), as summary of most interesting peer-reviewed papers for public health professions. Lessons The needed cross-cutting approach is leading to: interdisciplinarity enhancement within the ISS; coverage of broad expertise areas and interest of health care providers; cross-linkage between the different aspects/disciplines involved in this pandemic and share of experiences. Key messages Committed Institutions have the responsibility to support practitioners and decision makers to understand relevant aspects of medical, physical, occupational and public safety, in case of emergency. The Silos culture has to be overcome. There is nothing more powerful in any Institution than having all researchers rowing fiercely in the same direction.

scholarly journals Assessment of hand hygiene practices among health care providers in a government tertiary care hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 4357
Author(s):  
Richa Semwal ◽  
Shiv Kumar Yadav ◽  
A. R. Piyush ◽  
Bhola Nath
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Observation Study ◽  
Hygiene Practices

Background: Hand hygiene practices either by hand rub by disinfectant or hand washing by soap and water are very important for preventing Health care-associated infections (HCAIs). WHO have devised guidelines for hand rub and hand wash and advocated “My five moments for hand hygiene” as the approach for appropriate performance, teaching and evaluation of hand hygiene. The objective of this study is to observe hand hygiene practices, among health care providers in a tertiary care govt. hospital and document facilities available at the point of patient care for hand hygiene practices.Methods: A cross sectional observation study was conducted  in 8 departments of a Government Tertiary care Hospital for observation of hand hygiene practices as Per WHO Guideline on “5 Moment of Care”. Total of 600 observations were made and one Health care provider was observed once at a point of time. Data Entry was done in MS excel and was analysed in Open Epi software.Results: Among 600 moments observed, 354 (59%) moments were those where hand hygiene practices were missed by HCPs. Among various HCPs 63% Doctors, 62% Nurses, 52% Medical students and 59% nursing students missed the hand hygiene practices. Lack of antimicrobial soap, alcohol based agents, sterile towel and hand drier were perceived barriers for hand hygiene Practices.Conclusions: There lies a huge gap in practice of hand hygiene among all cadres of health care providers. The study is able to identify the lack of infrastructure which can be improved to promote hand hygiene in wards. 

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