scholarly journals EP.WE.339The Role of a “Clean Ward” Model in Minimizing COVID-19 Exposure for Elective General Surgical Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dearbhla Deeny ◽  
Rebecca Kerr ◽  
Sophie Davidson ◽  
Damian McKay

Abstract Aims To assess if a “clean ward” model is effective in preventing peri-operative COVID-19 infection in elective general surgical patients. Methods Elective general surgical cases were audited prospectively in three thirty-day cycles - May–July 2020, September–October 2020 and December 2020–January 2021. Patients isolated for 10 days and required a negative COVID swab prior to admission. Nursing and surgical staff underwent weekly swabbing, operations were carried out in a dedicated “clean theatre” and a no-visiting policy was enforced. Inpatient COVID cases and COVID-19 status at 14 days post discharge were recorded and compared to the community COVID-19 Reproduction (R) number. Results Cycle 1, (May-Jul 20, R number=0.3-1.5) 44 elective patients. One patient was diagnosed with clinical COVID post-operatively and recovered well. Cycle 2, (Sept-Oct 20, R number=0.8-1.8) 57 patients identified. No positive COVID-19 cases during inpatient admission or at 14 days post discharge. Cycle 3, (Dec 20-Jan 21, R number=1.0-1.9) 38 elective patients. One patient tested positive for COVID-19 following transfer to the emergency surgical ward due to COVID-19 related bed pressures. No other positive cases were identified during follow up. Conclusions Despite an ongoing rise in community COVID-19 cases, the “clean ward” model appears to be effective in reducing COVID-19 transmission for elective general surgical patients. When the R number was at its highest, the only COVID positive case developed symptoms after moving from the “clean ward” system. Extrapolation of this model could be considered in re-establishing elective operating lists across the region.

Thorax ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. A205-A205
Author(s):  
F. Rauf ◽  
A. Oakes ◽  
Y. Khan ◽  
T. Stuart ◽  
B. Chakraborty ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Alisa N. Blumenthaler ◽  
Nicolas Zhou ◽  
Kavita Parikh ◽  
Wayne L. Hofstetter ◽  
Reza J. Mehran ◽  
...  

Objective Minimally invasive procedures coupled with enhanced recovery pathways enable faster postoperative recovery and shorter hospitalizations. However, patients may experience unexpected concerns after return home, prompting after-hours calls. We aimed to characterize concerns prompting after-hours calls to improve discharge strategies. Methods A single-institution, retrospective review was conducted of thoracic surgical patients from 11/4/2019 to 6/14/2020. Records were reviewed and elements of patient demographics, surgical procedures, postoperative courses, reasons for calls, and outcome of calls were collected. We compared characteristics of patients who made after-hours calls to those who did not, and performed multivariable analysis to identify characteristics associated with making an after-hours call. Results During the study period, 379 patients underwent thoracic surgical procedures, among whom 88 (23.2%) initiated after-hours calls. Of these, 62 (70%) addressed patient symptoms, while 26 (30%) addressed patient questions including drain management, medications, and hospital policy questions. Patients making after-hours calls more frequently had undergone complex operations (26.1% vs 8.2%, P = 0.001), and were less likely to have received a standardized, clinician-initiated post-discharge telephone follow-up (29.5% vs 54.3%, P < 0.001). Complex operations increased likelihood of after-hours calls (OR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.69-6.57, P < 0.001), while receipt of clinician-initiated telephone follow-up decreased likelihood of after-hours calls (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.22-0.64, P < 0.001). There were no differences in emergency visits between the 2 groups (11% vs 8%, P = 0.370). Conclusions Despite efforts to optimize patient symptoms and knowledge prior to discharge, a substantial number of patients still have concerns after discharge. Many after-hours calls are related to knowledge gaps that may be addressed with improved predischarge education. Moreover, clinician-initiated telephone follow-up shows benefit in reducing after-hours calls.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan L Allen ◽  
Charles C Kim ◽  
Sabine Braat ◽  
Karin Jones ◽  
Noam Winter ◽  
...  

Our aim was to determine the frequency and characteristics of post-surgery prescription of opioid medication and to describe patients’ handling of discharge opioid medications. We performed a multicentre prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery with a postoperative stay of one or more nights, with phone follow-up at two weeks after hospital discharge. The main outcome measures included the proportion of patients prescribed discharge opioid medications, post-discharge opioid use, opioid storage and disposal. Of the 1450 eligible surgical patients, opioids were dispensed on discharge to 858 (59%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (57%–62%)), with immediate-release oxycodone the most common medication. Of the 581 patients who were discharged with opioid medication and completed follow-up, 27% were still requiring opioids two weeks after discharge. Post-discharge opioid consumption was highly variable in the study cohort. The majority (70%) of patients had leftover opioids and only a small proportion (5%) reported disposal of the surplus. In a multivariate model, patients with characteristics of age 45 years or less (odds ratio, OR = 1.78, 95% CI (1.36–2.33) versus older than 45 years), American Society of Anesthesiologists’ physical status (ASA) scores of 1 or 2 (OR = 1.96, 95% CI (1.52–2.53) versus ASA score 3 to 5), higher anticipated surgical pain (OR = 1.45, 95% CI (1.08–1.94) severe versus moderate, OR = 17.48, 95% CI (5.79–52.69) severe versus nil/mild) and public funding status (OR = 1.89, 95% CI (1.36–2.64) versus other) were more likely ( P < 0.001) to receive discharge opioids. Post-surgery prescription of opioids is common and supply is often excessive. Post-discharge opioid handling included suboptimal storage and disposal.


2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Meadley ◽  
Jane Conway ◽  
Margaret McMillan

Practice nurses have been identified as key personnel in management of patients either in the prevention of hospitalisation or follow-up post-discharge from acute settings. There is an increase in numbers of practice nurses (PNs) in Australia, but the role of nurses who work in general practice is poorly understood. There is considerable variation in the activities of PNs, which can include functions as diverse as receptionist duties, performing a range of clinical skills at the direction of the medical practitioner, and conducting independent patient assessment and education. This paper reports on an investigation of PNs? perceptions of their ongoing professional development needs, and identifies issues in providing education and training to nurses who work with general practitioners (GPs).


2018 ◽  
Vol 184 (1-2) ◽  
pp. e91-e100
Author(s):  
Natalie Riblet ◽  
Brian Shiner ◽  
Robert Scott ◽  
Martha L Bruce ◽  
Danuta Wasserman ◽  
...  

2003 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louiselle L Ouellet ◽  
Marilyn H Hodgins ◽  
Sandra Pond ◽  
Shelley Knorr ◽  
Geri Geldart

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Griffiths ◽  
Gaibrie Stephen ◽  
Tara Kiran ◽  
Karen Okrainec

Abstract BackgroundPatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure (CHF) are at high-risk of readmission after hospital discharge. There is conflicting evidence however on whether timely follow-up with a primary care provider reduces that risk. The objective of this study is to understand the perspectives of patients with COPD and CHF, and their caregivers, on the role of primary care provider follow-up after hospital discharge.MethodsA qualitative study design with semi-structured interviews was conducted among patients or their family caregivers admitted with COPD or CHF who were enrolled in a multicenter mixed-methods study at three acute care hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Participants were interviewed between December 2017 to January 2019, the majority discharged from hospital at least 30 days prior to their interview. Interviews were analyzed independently by three authors using a deductive directed content analysis, with the fourth author cross-comparing themes.ResultsInterviews with 16 participants (eight patients and eight caregivers) revealed four main themes. First, participants valued visiting their primary care provider after discharge to build upon their longitudinal relationship. Second, primary care providers played a key role in coordinating care. Third, there were mixed views on the ideal time for follow-up, with many participants expressing a desire to delay follow-up to stabilize following their acute hospitalization. Fourth, the link between the post-discharge visit and preventing hospital readmissions was unclear to participants, who often self-triaged based on their symptoms when deciding on the need for emergency care.ConclusionsPatients and caregivers valued in-person follow-up with their primary care provider following discharge from hospital because of the trust established through pre-existing longitudinal relationships. Our results suggest policy makers should focus on improving rates of primary care provider attachment and systems supporting informational continuity.


Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danica W. Y. Liu ◽  
A. Kate Fairweather-Schmidt ◽  
Richard Burns ◽  
Rachel M. Roberts ◽  
Kaarin J. Anstey

Abstract. Background: Little is known about the role of resilience in the likelihood of suicidal ideation (SI) over time. Aims: We examined the association between resilience and SI in a young-adult cohort over 4 years. Our objectives were to determine whether resilience was associated with SI at follow-up or, conversely, whether SI was associated with lowered resilience at follow-up. Method: Participants were selected from the Personality and Total Health (PATH) Through Life Project from Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australia, aged 28–32 years at the first time point and 32–36 at the second. Multinomial, linear, and binary regression analyses explored the association between resilience and SI over two time points. Models were adjusted for suicidality risk factors. Results: While unadjusted analyses identified associations between resilience and SI, these effects were fully explained by the inclusion of other suicidality risk factors. Conclusion: Despite strong cross-sectional associations, resilience and SI appear to be unrelated in a longitudinal context, once risk/resilience factors are controlled for. As independent indicators of psychological well-being, suicidality and resilience are essential if current status is to be captured. However, the addition of other factors (e.g., support, mastery) makes this association tenuous. Consequently, resilience per se may not be protective of SI.


2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Menegazzo ◽  
Melissa Rosa Rizzotto ◽  
Martina Bua ◽  
Luisa Pinello ◽  
Elisabetta Tono ◽  
...  

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