scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic and Role of Human Saliva as a Testing Biofluid in Point-of-Care Technology

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S123-S129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiba Hamid ◽  
Zohaib Khurshid ◽  
Necdet Adanir ◽  
Muhammad S. Zafar ◽  
Sana Zohaib
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Human Saliva ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Point Of Care Technology ◽  
Noninvasive Sample ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Care Technology

AbstractNovel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has termed as a controllable pandemic, and the entire world has come to a standstill trying to mitigate the disease with health systems. Health care providers, around the globe, are fighting day and night. Currently, rapid testing is taking place with the help of nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal swab, bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum, urine, and blood. All these approaches are invasive or embarrassing to the infected person. It is observed that salivary glands are hosting severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) because of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and the detection of high viral loads in the saliva and is playing a crucial role in virus transmission, especially from individuals showing absolutely no symptoms. Saliva is proving to be a promising noninvasive sample specimen for the diagnosis of COVID-19, thus helping to monitor the infection and prevent it from further spreading by prompt isolation.

scholarly journals Dental Healthcare Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11008
Author(s):  
Rabia Tariq Butt ◽  
Omer Sefvan Janjua ◽  
Sana Mehmood Qureshi ◽  
Muhammad Saad Shaikh ◽  
Julia Guerrero-Gironés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
The World ◽  
Dental Practices ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The hustle and bustle of the planet Earth have come to a halt thanks to the novel coronavirus. The virus has affected approximately 219 million people globally; taken the lives of 4.55 million patients as of September 2021; and created an ambiance of fear, social distancing, and economic instability. The purpose of this review article is to trace the historical origin and evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus is highly contagious with a unique feature of rapid mutations—the scientific research is paving the way for discoveries regarding novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) diagnosis, features, prevention, and vaccination. The connections between the coronavirus pandemic and dental practices are essential because COVID-19 is transmitted by aerosols, fomites, and respiratory droplets, which are also produced during dental procedures, putting both the patient and the dentist at risk. The main emphasis of this paper is to highlight the psychological, economic, and social impact of this pandemic on dental practices throughout the world and under what circumstances and guidelines can dental health care be provided. In the current situation of the pandemic, an appropriate screening tool must be established either by using rapid molecular testing or saliva point-of-care technology, which will be effective in identifying as well as isolating the potential contacts and carriers in hopes to contain and mitigate infection. The blessing in disguise is that this virus has united the leaders, scientists, health care providers, and people of all professions from all around the world to fight against a common enemy.

scholarly journals POLIDON approach- a novel approach for mastoidectomy in COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Kamal Arefin ◽  
Md.Baha Uddin ◽  
Md. Zahidul Islam ◽  
Mohammad Shaharior Arafat ◽  
Md. Noor Kutubul Alam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Povidone Iodine ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract BackgroundWHO declared COVID-19 outbreak as pandemic in March, 2020, which was started from Wuhan of china. Mastoidectomy is an aerosol generating procedure. If a patient of COVID-19, either confirmed, suspected or asymptomatic career, requires mastoidectomy urgently, it’s a critical issue for the health care professionals for the highly contagious nature of this novel corona virus. Here, some simple, but novel and very effective measures will be discussed for protection of all health care providers (HCPs). Polythene sheet and Povidone Iodine are the change makers in this novel approach of mastoidectomy, mentioned in this article. So, we named the technique as ‘POLIDON approach’ of mastoidectomy.Method/ MaterialPlacement of a transparent, sterile polythene sheet which acts as an interface between patient and surgeons and all other OR staffs is an important issue. Meanwhile, extended use of Povidone Iodine (PVP-I) is recommended in different way. Mouthwash for gargling and nasal application either by spray or nasal irrigation or drop will reduce viral load from nose and mouth of patient. HCPs should use PVP-I prophylactically also. Thus the chance of transmissibility of novel coronavirus is reducedMeanwhile, Povidone Iodine should be mixed with irrigating fluid to help in reduction of contamination by bone dust mixed with fluid, produced during surgery. Conclusion As mastoidectomy is an aerosol generating procedure, and novel coronavirus is highly contagious, so higher level of protection is required. A simple and cheap polythene sheet as barrier drape as well as rational and novel use of Povidone Iodine, i.e. the proposed ‘POLIDON’ approach can significantly reduce the chance of corona virus transmission among the health care professionals working in the operation theatre.

scholarly journals Are Semi-Quantitative Clinical Cultures Inadequate? Comparison to Quantitative Analysis of 1053 Bacterial Isolates from 350 Wounds

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1239
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Serena ◽  
Philip G. Bowler ◽  
Gregory S. Schultz ◽  
Anna D’souza ◽  
Monique Y. Rennie
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Chronic Wounds ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Quantitative Culture ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Point Of Care Technology ◽  
Care Technology

Early awareness and management of bacterial burden and biofilm is essential to wound healing. Semi-quantitative analysis of swab or biopsy samples is a relatively simple method for measuring wound microbial load. The accuracy of semi-quantitative culture analysis was compared to ‘gold standard’ quantitative culture analysis using 428 tissue biopsies from 350 chronic wounds. Semi-quantitative results, obtained by serial dilution of biopsy homogenates streaked onto culture plates divided into 4 quadrants representing occasional, light, moderate, and heavy growth, were compared to total bacterial load quantified as colony-forming units per gram (CFU/g). Light growth, typically considered an insignificant finding, averaged a clinically significant 2.5 × 105 CFU/g (SE = 6.3 × 104 CFU/g). Occasional growth (range: 102–106 CFU/g) and light growth (103–107 CFU/g) corresponded to quantitative values that spanned a 5-log range; moderate and heavy growth corresponded to a range of 4-log and 6-log, respectively, with a high degree of overlap in range of CFU/g per category. Since tissue biopsy and quantitative culture cannot be widely practiced and semi-quantitative analysis is unreliable, other clinically relevant approaches are required to determine wound bioburden and guide best management practices. Fluorescence imaging is a point-of-care technology that offers great potential in this field.

scholarly journals Development of robust isothermal RNA amplification assay for lab-free testing of RNA viruses

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Radhika Biyani ◽  
Kirti Sharma ◽  
Kenji Kojima ◽  
Madhu Biyani ◽  
Vishnu Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Virus ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Human Saliva ◽  
Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽  
Potential Game ◽  
One Pot ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Amplification Assay ◽  
Primary Focus

AbstractSimple tests of infectiousness that return results in minutes and directly from samples even with low viral loads could be a potential game-changer in the fight against COVID-19. Here, we describe an improved isothermal nucleic acid amplification assay, termed the RICCA (RNA Isothermal Co-assisted and Coupled Amplification) reaction, that consists of a simple one-pot format of ‘sample-in and result-out’ with a primary focus on the detection of low copy numbers of RNA virus directly from saliva without the need for laboratory processing. We demonstrate our assay by detecting 16S rRNA directly from E. coli cells with a sensitivity as low as 8 CFU/μL and RNA fragments from a synthetic template of SARS-CoV-2 with a sensitivity as low as 1740 copies/μL. We further demonstrate the applicability of our assay for real-time testing at the point of care by designing a closed format for paper-based lateral flow assay and detecting heat-inactivated SARS-COV-2 virus in human saliva at concentrations ranging from 28,000 to 2.8 copies/μL with a total assay time of 15–30 min.

Implementing E-Health

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill Doolin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Health Care Organization ◽  
Technical Problem ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Information ◽  
Local Health Care

The application of information and communication technology to support health care organization, management, and delivery is high on the health policy agenda in many countries, and its implementation has become a significant issue. Despite optimistic expectations and increasing investment in e-health, the anticipated benefits are often elusive. This chapter reviews the factors driving the development of e-health before introducing a conceptualization of e-health focused on the management and use of health care information at the point of care, between health care providers and, ultimately, by health care consumers. The chapter then explores a range of issues that render e-health implementation problematic. In particular, implementing e-health is both a complex and emergent process that requires consideration of local health care contexts, and a socio-technical problem involving changes in work processes, interactions, and behaviors.

scholarly journals Simulator-based ultrasound training for identification of endotracheal tube placement in a neonatal intensive care unit using point of care ultrasound

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khushboo Qaim Ali ◽  
Sajid Bashir Soofi ◽  
Ali Shabbir Hussain ◽  
Uzair Ansari ◽  
Shaun Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Neonatal Health ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Care Providers

Abstract Background Simulators are an extensively utilized teaching tool in clinical settings. Simulation enables learners to practice and improve their skills in a safe and controlled environment before using these skills on patients. We evaluated the effect of a training session utilizing a novel intubation ultrasound simulator on the accuracy of provider detection of tracheal versus esophageal neonatal endotracheal tube (ETT) placement using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). We also investigated whether the time to POCUS image interpretation decreased with repeated simulator attempts. Methods Sixty neonatal health care providers participated in a three-hour simulator-based training session in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan. Participants included neonatologists, neonatal fellows, pediatric residents and senior nursing staff. The training utilized a novel low-cost simulator made with gelatin, water and psyllium fiber. Training consisted of a didactic session, practice with the simulator, and practice with intubated NICU patients. At the end of training, participants underwent an objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) and ten rounds of simulator-based testing of their ability to use POCUS to differentiate between simulated tracheal and esophageal intubations. Results The majority of the participants in the training had an average of 7.0 years (SD 4.9) of clinical experience. After controlling for gender, profession, years of practice and POCUS knowledge, linear mixed model and mixed effects logistic regression demonstrated marginal improvement in POCUS interpretation over repeated simulator testing. The mean time-to-interpretation decreased from 24.7 (SD 20.3) seconds for test 1 to 10.1 (SD 4.5) seconds for Test 10, p < 0.001. There was an average reduction of 1.3 s (β = − 1.3; 95% CI: − 1.66 to − 1.0) in time-to-interpretation with repeated simulator testing after adjusting for the covariates listed above. Conclusion We found a three-hour simulator-based training session had a significant impact on technical skills and performance of neonatal health care providers in identification of ETT position using POCUS. Further research is needed to examine whether these skills are transferable to intubated newborns in various health settings. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03533218. Registered May 2018.

scholarly journals Breastfeeding in COVID-19: A Pragmatic Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (13) ◽  
pp. 1377-1384
Author(s):  
Yvonne Peng Mei Ng ◽  
Yi Fen Low ◽  
Xin Lei Goh ◽  
Doris Fok ◽  
Zubair Amin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Joint Decision ◽  
Skin Contact ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in changes to perinatal and neonatal care, concentrating on minimizing risks of transmission to the newborn and health care staff while ensuring medical care is not compromised for both mother and infant. Current recommendations on infant care and feeding when mother has COVID-19 ranges from mother–infant separation and avoidance of human milk feeding, to initiation of early skin-to-skin contact and direct breastfeeding. Health care providers fearing risks of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) maternal–infant transmission may veer toward restricted breastfeeding practices. We reviewed guidelines and published literature and propose three options for infant feeding depending on various scenarios. Option A involves direct breastfeeding with the infant being cared for by the mother or caregiver. In option B, the infant is cared for by another caregiver and receives mother's expressed milk. In the third option, the infant is not breastfed directly and does not receive mother's expressed milk. We recommend joint decision making by parents and the health care team. This decision is also flexible as situation changes. We also provide a framework for counseling mothers on these options using a visual aid and a corresponding structured training program for health care providers. Future research questions are also proposed. We conclude that evidence and knowledge about COVID-19 and breastfeeding are still evolving. Our options can provide a quick and flexible reference guide that can be adapted to local needs. Key Points

Acute coronary syndrome: What is the cost-effectiveness of prevention, point-of-care technology and telemonitoring?

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Van Dyck ◽  
Gergely Vértes ◽  
Muhilan Palaniappan ◽  
Daniel Gassull ◽  
Prateek Jain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Point Of Care Technology ◽  
Care Technology ◽  
The Cost
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document