scholarly journals Development of a Skills-Based IPC Supervisor Course During the 2018-19 DRC Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s188-s188
Author(s):  
Katie Wilson ◽  
Danica Gomes ◽  
Samuel Mangala ◽  
Hanako Osuka ◽  
Erica Tindall Umeakunne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Technical Knowledge ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Problem Solving Skills

Background: With >3,000 cases and 2,000 deaths, the current outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the second-largest reported EVD outbreak in history. Healthcare-associated transmission of EVD has been a persistent amplifier of transmission due, in part, to fragility of the healthcare system, lack of basic infection prevention and control (IPC) infrastructure, and large number of healthcare facilities (HCFs). A central component of the strategy to rapidly strengthen IPC in HCFs is the provision of IPC supervisors to oversee standardized risk assessments and improvements and provide mentorship to HCF staff. To support these activities, we designed skills based training for IPC supervisors. Methods: Staff recruited by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to strengthen IPC are part of an outbreak-specific cadre known as IPC supervisors. IPC supervisors, who originally lacked technical knowledge and mentoring experience, were trained to provide technical support and mentorship to staff at HCFs, with the objective of improving IPC-related processes and behaviors. A competency-based training course was designed by conducting informal assessments of IPC supervisors during daily tasks to identify areas for performance improvement. We developed competencies based on activities designated for IPC supervisors according to MoH guidelines. We planned an iterative training rollout to allow for continuous, real-time modifications based on lessons learned throughout the implementation phase. Results: Although IPC supervisors displayed technical knowledge of IPC recommendations, we observed large gaps in implementation. IPC supervisors frequently failed to recognize behaviors that are high-risk for infection transmission. In addition, IPC supervisors lacked the ability to develop prioritized action plans and to implement interventions aimed at rapidly improving IPC practices. The course, designed as an interactive, skills-based training, is rooted in instructional design principles and addresses 4 key competencies: risk recognition and prioritization, IPC assessment completion, action plan development, and effective leadership and communication. The course will be pilot tested in the DRC to an audience of 25 IPC supervisors. Conclusions: In an outbreak setting, strong mentorship and problem-solving skills are needed to support effective implementation of IPC quality improvement. Trainings that are informed by field experiences and teach problem-solving, coaching, and communication skills are critical and can be developed rapidly. The strategy employed by the Ministry of Health to rapidly achieve IPC capacitation at HCFs might be adapted for use in future outbreaks.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Implementation of a study to examine the persistence of Ebola virus in the body fluids of Ebola virus disease survivors in Sierra Leone: Methodology and lessons learned

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e0005723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gibrilla Fadlu Deen ◽  
Suzanna L. R. McDonald ◽  
Jaclyn E. Marrinan ◽  
Foday R. Sesay ◽  
Elizabeth Ervin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Body Fluids ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
The Body ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease

Ebola Virus Disease - clinical manifestations, management and future therapies

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-120
Author(s):  
D O’Brien ◽  
M K O’Shea ◽  
T E Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
The Body ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
International Response ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Specific Symptoms

AbstractThe largest epidemic of Ebola Virus Disease in recorded human history occurred in West Africa in 2014 and resulted in significant morbidity and mortality. The causative pathogen, Ebola virus, is readily transmitted through contact with the body fluids of infected individuals and from the bodies of those who have died from the disease. In its early stages, the illness is characterised by non-specific symptoms that mimic many other endemic infectious diseases in countries with limited healthcare resources. These factors contributed to the rapid spread of the outbreak, which required an international response in which the UK Armed Forces played an important role. This review describes the clinical presentation, lessons learned from managing the West African outbreak, and potential future treatments.

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation of Ebola Response Activities in Lofa County, Liberia: Some Lessons Learned

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-66
Author(s):  
Ithar Hassaballa ◽  
Stephen Fawcett ◽  
Charles Sepers ◽  
Florence DiGennaro Reed ◽  
Jerry Schultz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation System ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Response Effort ◽  
Participatory Monitoring

To address the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund led a multilevel and multisectoral intervention known as the Ebola response effort. Although surveillance systems were able to detect reduction in Ebola incidence, there was little understanding of the implemented activities within affected areas. To address this gap, this empirical case study examined (a) implementation of Ebola response activities and associated bending the curve of incidence of Ebola virus disease and (b) candidate factors associated with fuller implementation of the Ebola response effort. A mix of qualitative and quantitative methods were used to address these questions. A participatory monitoring and evaluation system was used to capture, code, characterize, and communicate nearly a hundred Ebola response activities implemented in Lofa County, a highly affected area in Liberia. The Ebola response effort was enabled by community engagement and collaboration across different sectors. Results showed fuller implementation corresponded with a marked reduction in Ebola virus disease. This report concludes with a discussion of how monitoring and evaluation can strengthen implementation of activities needed to address disease outbreaks.

scholarly journals Obstetrical Surgery in the Context of Ebola Virus Disease (Ebola) in Guinea: Lessons Learned from 2 Cases

2019 ◽  
Vol 09 (10) ◽  
pp. 1305-1314
Author(s):  
Bah Elhadj Mamoudou ◽  
Diallo Ibrahima Sory ◽  
DialloThierno Saidou ◽  
Leno W. Daniel ◽  
Soumah Aboubacar Fode Momo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease

scholarly journals Lessons learned from implementation of a national hotline for Ebola virus disease emergency preparedness in South Sudan

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Velma K. Lopez ◽  
Sharmila Shetty ◽  
Angelo Thon Kouch ◽  
Matthew Tut Khol ◽  
Richard Lako ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
South Sudan ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Humanitarian Emergency

Abstract Background The world’s second largest Ebola outbreak occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2018 to 2020. At the time, risk of cross-border spread into South Sudan was very high. Thus, the South Sudan Ministry of Health scaled up Ebola preparedness activities in August 2018, including implementation of a 24-h, toll-free Ebola virus disease (EVD) hotline. The primary purpose was the hotline was to receive EVD alerts and the secondary goal was to provide evidence-based EVD messages to the public. Methods To assess whether the hotline augmented Ebola preparedness activities in a protracted humanitarian emergency context, we reviewed 22 weeks of call logs from January to June 2019. Counts and percentages were calculated for all available data. Results The hotline received 2114 calls during the analysis period, and an additional 1835 missed calls were documented. Callers used the hotline throughout 24-h of the day and were most often men and individuals living in Jubek state, where the national capital is located. The leading reasons for calling were to learn more about EVD (68%) or to report clinical signs or symptoms (16%). Common EVD-related questions included EVD signs and symptoms, transmission, and prevention. Only one call was documented as an EVD alert, and there was no documentation of reported symptoms or whether the person met the EVD case definition. Conclusions Basic surveillance information was not collected from callers. To trigger effective outbreak investigation from hotline calls, the hotline should capture who is reporting and from where, symptoms and travel history, and whether this information should be further investigated. Electronic data capture will enhance data quality and availability of information for review. Additionally, the magnitude of missed calls presents a major challenge. When calls are answered, there is potential to provide health communication, so risk communication needs should be considered. However, prior to hotline implementation, governments should critically assess whether their hotline would yield actionable data and if other data sources for surveillance or community concerns are available.

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