scholarly journals Neurotrauma in the Time of SARS-COV 2: A Checklist for Its Safe Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 474-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Rafael Moscote Salazar ◽  
Deepak Agrawal ◽  
Harsh Deora ◽  
Amit Agrawal
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Critical Public Health

Abstract Neurotrauma is a critical public health problem that deserves the attention of the world health community. The unprecedented pandemic of SARS-COV 2 has led to a tremendous strain on medical facilities including intensive care and availability of blood products. In addition, due to lockdown in most nations and diverting of medical attention elsewhere, neurotrauma has taken a back seat. Despite this, any case of trauma presenting during this time should receive the best possible care. However, it is also imperative to safeguard the health care workers from this infection, too. The number of health care workers losing their lives to this infection is ever rising. We here present a possible workflow using a checklist approach such that errors and cross-infections are minimized and there is no reduction in the level of care received by any trauma case. This article has been written with a special focus on middle-income countries where resources may already be strained due to the sudden case burden. We hope to minimize death “caused” by COVID-19 and “related” to it.

scholarly journals Modeling Predictive Age-Dependent and Age-Independent Symptoms and Comorbidities of Patients Seeking Treatment for COVID-19: Model Development and Validation Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingxiang Huang ◽  
Dina Radenkovic ◽  
Kevin Perez ◽  
Kari Nadeau ◽  
Eric Verdin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Predictive Models ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The World

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage and burden hospitals around the world. The epidemic started in Wuhan, China, and was subsequently recognized by the World Health Organization as an international public health emergency and declared a pandemic in March 2020. Since then, the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have had an unparalleled effect on all aspects of life. OBJECTIVE With increasing total hospitalization and intensive care unit admissions, a better understanding of features related to patients with COVID-19 could help health care workers stratify patients based on the risk of developing a more severe case of COVID-19. Using predictive models, we strive to select the features that are most associated with more severe cases of COVID-19. METHODS Over 3 million participants reported their potential symptoms of COVID-19, along with their comorbidities and demographic information, on a smartphone-based app. Using data from the >10,000 individuals who indicated that they had tested positive for COVID-19 in the United Kingdom, we leveraged the Elastic Net regularized binary classifier to derive the predictors that are most correlated with users having a severe enough case of COVID-19 to seek treatment in a hospital setting. We then analyzed such features in relation to age and other demographics and their longitudinal trend. RESULTS The most predictive features found include fever, use of immunosuppressant medication, use of a mobility aid, shortness of breath, and severe fatigue. Such features are age-related, and some are disproportionally high in minority populations. CONCLUSIONS Predictors selected from the predictive models can be used to stratify patients into groups based on how much medical attention they are expected to require. This could help health care workers devote valuable resources to prevent the escalation of the disease in vulnerable populations.

scholarly journals Cost-effectiveness and return on investment of protecting health workers in low- and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Risko ◽  
Kalin Werner ◽  
O. Agatha Offorjebe ◽  
Andres I. Vecino-Ortiz ◽  
Lee A. Wallis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Return On Investment ◽  
World Health ◽  
Decision Analytic Model ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Low And Middle Income

AbstractBackgroundIn this paper, we predict the health and economic consequences of immediate investment in personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers (HCWs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsTo account for health consequences, we estimated mortality for health care workers (HCW), and present a cost-effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) analysis using a decision-analytic model with Bayesian multivariate sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulation. Inputs were used from the World Health Organization Essential Supplies Forecasting Tool and the Imperial College of London epidemiologic model.ResultsAn investment of $9.6 billion USD would adequately protect HCWs in all LMICs. This intervention saves 2,299,543 lives across LMICs, costing $59 USD per HCW case averted and $4,309 USD per HCW life saved. The societal ROI is $755.3 billion USD, the equivalent of a 7,932% return. Regional and national estimates are also presented. In scenarios where PPE remains scarce, 70-100% of HCWs will get infected, irrespective of nationwide social distancing policies. Maintaining HCW infection rates below 10% and mortality below 1% requires inclusion of a PPE scale-up strategy as part of the pandemic response.DiscussionIn conclusion, wide-scale procurement and distribution of PPE for LMICs is an essential strategy to prevent widespread HCW morbidity and mortality. It is cost-effective and yields a large downstream return on investment.

scholarly journals Modeling Predictive Age-Dependent and Age-Independent Symptoms and Comorbidities of Patients Seeking Treatment for COVID-19: Model Development and Validation Study

10.2196/25696 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. e25696
Author(s):  
Yingxiang Huang ◽  
Dina Radenkovic ◽  
Kevin Perez ◽  
Kari Nadeau ◽  
Eric Verdin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Predictive Models ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The World

Background The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage and burden hospitals around the world. The epidemic started in Wuhan, China, and was subsequently recognized by the World Health Organization as an international public health emergency and declared a pandemic in March 2020. Since then, the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have had an unparalleled effect on all aspects of life. Objective With increasing total hospitalization and intensive care unit admissions, a better understanding of features related to patients with COVID-19 could help health care workers stratify patients based on the risk of developing a more severe case of COVID-19. Using predictive models, we strive to select the features that are most associated with more severe cases of COVID-19. Methods Over 3 million participants reported their potential symptoms of COVID-19, along with their comorbidities and demographic information, on a smartphone-based app. Using data from the >10,000 individuals who indicated that they had tested positive for COVID-19 in the United Kingdom, we leveraged the Elastic Net regularized binary classifier to derive the predictors that are most correlated with users having a severe enough case of COVID-19 to seek treatment in a hospital setting. We then analyzed such features in relation to age and other demographics and their longitudinal trend. Results The most predictive features found include fever, use of immunosuppressant medication, use of a mobility aid, shortness of breath, and severe fatigue. Such features are age-related, and some are disproportionally high in minority populations. Conclusions Predictors selected from the predictive models can be used to stratify patients into groups based on how much medical attention they are expected to require. This could help health care workers devote valuable resources to prevent the escalation of the disease in vulnerable populations.

scholarly journals Factors for late initiation of antenatal care in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saidi Mgata ◽  
Stephen Oswald Maluka
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract Background Antenatal care (ANC) provided by a trained health care provider is important for monitoring pregnancy thereby reducing potential risks for the mother and child during pregnancy and delivery. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least four ANC visits to all pregnant women. While the proportion of women who attend at least one ANC in low-income countries is high, most pregnant women start their first ANC attendance very late. In Tanzania only 24% of pregnant women start their first ANC attendance before the fourth month of pregnancy. While factors for the utilization of antenatal care in general have been widely studied, there is paucity of studies on the factors affecting timing of the first ANC attendance. This study aimed to understand individual, community, and health system factors that lead to the delay in seeking ANC services among pregnant women in Ilala Municipal in Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania. Methods A qualitative exploratory study, using in-depth interviews with 20 pregnant women and five health care workers was conducted in three different health facilities in Dar es Salaam Tanzania. Thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data. Results Individual perceptions of antenatal care, past experience with pregnancy, fear of pregnancy disclosure, and socio-cultural beliefs were the key individual and social factors for late ANC attendance. Shortage of trained health care workers, lack of spouse’s escort and health providers’ disrespect to pregnant women were the main health system barriers to early ANC attendance. Conclusions This study concludes that community members should be sensitized about the importance of early ANC attendance. Additionally, while spouse’s escort policy is important for promoting PMTCT, the interpretation of the policy should not solely be left to the health providers. District and regional health officials should provide correct interpretation of this policy.

scholarly journals A super-spreader of SARS-CoV-2 in incubation period among health-care workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaojie Wei ◽  
Yufeng Yuan ◽  
Zhenshun Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Incubation Period ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
World Health ◽  
Doctor Who ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Potential Sources ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractSince the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) identified in Wuhan, Hubei, China in December 2019, it has been characterized as a pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO). It was reported that asymptomatic persons are potential sources of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We present an outbreak among health-care workers incited by a doctor who cared a patient with COVID-19 in a Hospital in Wuhan, Hubei, China, which indicates existence of super-spreader even during incubation period.

scholarly journals COVID-19 infection outbreak among health care workers: perspective from a low-middle income country

2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nishanth Dev ◽  
Vijay Kumar ◽  
Jhuma Sankar
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Middle Income Country ◽  
Income Country ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Global Threat

To the Editor, The new pandemic COVID -19 caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global threat. So far, more than 11 million infections and more than five hundred thousand deaths have been reported worldwide. In India the number of cases as of 5th July, 2020 is 6,73,165 with 19,268 deaths. Health care workers (HCWs) have been the backbone of this pandemic since the very beginning...

scholarly journals The Good COPD Guidelines

2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-16
Author(s):  
Dennis Bowie
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
World Health ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
The Third ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Prevalent Disease ◽  
Health Organization

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is becoming an increasing problem for health care workers. The World Health Organization predicts that in the year 2020, this disease will be the fifth most prevalent disease worldwide, up from 12th place, and it will be the third most common cause of death, up from sixth place in 1997 (1). Hospitalization and mortality rates for COPD continue to rise in Canada (2). Therefore, the burden of COPD on Canadians, the health care system and physicians is obvious.

scholarly journals Barriers in Adult Vitamin D Service Provision by Health Care Workers: a Qualitative Study in Three Ecologies of Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wubegzier Mekonnen ◽  
Yeweyenhareg Feleke ◽  
Wubetsh Asnake ◽  
Jemal Haidar ◽  
Biruk Lambisso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Service Training

Abstract Background: Adult vitamin D deficiency, a public health problem in low-income countries, is correlated with increased mortality. Although health care workers (HCWs) in Ethiopia are educated on minerals counseling on the benefits of vitamin D and its sources is not witnessed since their knowledge is low. The main aim of this study is to explore barriers to good knowledge, positive attitude, and practice of health care providers on adult vitamin D.Methods: An exploratory qualitative study is done in three ecologies covering highland, midland, and lowland. The size of 27 participants was fixed by saturation of ideas. In-depth interviews were conducted among leaders and HCWs of different professional groups in health centers and hospitals. Moderators were Ph.D. holders. An interview guide was developed after reviewing research that was translated into the local language. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and, translated. Open Code software was used to code and categorize the data. Thematic analysis is presented using themes and sub-themes.Result: The main barriers are related to health systems, HCWs’ understandings, health facilities, and the educational system. Lack of attention by the health systems’ leadership, missing adult vitamin D as a priority in health programs, and the absence of adult vitamin D management and treatment guidelines are barriers related to the health system. On the other hand, health care professionals believed that the prevalence of adult vitamin D deficiency is insignificant and vitamin D deficiency is only an issue related to children. Besides, the inadequacy of laboratory investigation and limited in-service training are barriers related to health facilities while the absence of studies and the focus of the medical curriculum on child vitamin D are barriers related to the education system. Conclusion: Adult vitamin D deficiency is a neglected public health problem with many barriers related to diagnosis and treatment. Barriers are related to the professionals themselves, their leadership, health facilities, and the education system. The government should give attention to adult vitamin D management and treatment, continuous on the job training, development of guidelines, purchase of laboratory equipment, the inclusion of adult vitamin D in pre-service and, in-service training curriculums.

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