scholarly journals Perspectives in surgical and anaesthetic management of lung cancer in the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 676-681
Author(s):  
Silvia Fiorelli ◽  
Domenico Massullo ◽  
Mohsen Ibrahim ◽  
Federico Piccioni ◽  
Claudio Andreetti ◽  
...  

Abstract Early in 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quickly spread globally, giving rise to a pandemic. In this critical scenario, patients with lung cancer need to continue to receive optimal care and at the same be shielded from infection with the potentially severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Upgrades to the prevention and control of infection have become paramount in order to lower the risk of hospital contagion. Aerosol-generating procedures such as endotracheal intubation or endoscopic procedures may expose health care workers to a high risk of infection. Moreover, thoracic anaesthesia usually requires highly complex airway management procedures because of the need for one-lung isolation and one-lung ventilation. Therefore, in the current pandemic, providing a fast-track algorithm for scientifically standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment recommendations for patients with lung cancer is urgent. Suggestions for improving existing contagion control guidelines are needed, even in the case of non-symptomatic patients who possibly are responsible for virus spread. A COVID-19-specific intraoperative management strategy designed to reduce risk of infection in both health care workers and patients is also required.

1991 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. S50
Author(s):  
R. Marinho ◽  
F. Ramalho ◽  
J. Velosa ◽  
MC Moura

Coronaviruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 02 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juhi Sharma ◽  
Divakar Sharma

: COVID-19 is currently threatening the globe. SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of COVID-19, which spreads via droplets/airborne and direct contact. Health care workers (HCWs) are the frontline workers, which are directly involved in taking care of patients affected by COVID-19. HCWs are at a higher risk of infection during the caring of COVID-19 patients. In this focused review, we have highlighted the higher risk for COVID-19 infection among health care professionals during close contact with patients and their preventive management in COVID-19 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 65-65
Author(s):  
Daniel Osei-Fofie

PURPOSE The Northern Cape Province is the largest province in South Africa; however, it has the fewest resources for cancer care. There is a high incidence and prevalence of mesothelioma and lung cancer as a result of the previous indiscriminate mining of asbestos without proper legislation for the protection of miners and the environment. Mine dumps remain near villages and schools after the banning of asbestos mining, resulting in continuous exposure to asbestos fibers. Unfortunately, majority of cancers are diagnosed in late stages because of a lack of awareness and the misdiagnosis of lung cancer and mesothelioma as tuberculosis. METHODS The Northern Cape Department of Health, Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, and Cancer Charity Workers formed a collaboration in May 2017 to reduce disparities and inequities in cancer care and for cancer control. The Northern Cape Department of Health also collaborated with Project ECHO at the University of New Mexico to use the ECHO model for training community health care workers, training in palliative care, and mentorship and empowerment of doctors and nurses in rural areas. The aim is to recognize early symptoms and signs of cancers affecting the lung and to make referrals for early diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS An advocacy group has engaged the Provincial and National Department of Mining and Environmental Affairs for rehabilitation of asbestos mine dumps. Community health care workers have been trained and are assisting with community awareness and patient navigation. Doctors have been trained in palliative care and are training other health care workers in palliative care. A center of excellence for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, palliative care, survivorship, and research has been established. Retention of doctors and nurses in rural areas for cancer care and early referral is improving. A lung cancer research laboratory is being set up. CONCLUSION Effective collaborative projects can help address disparities in cancer care and effective cancer control in areas with limited resources.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 1320-1334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charissa J. Zaga ◽  
Vinciya Pandian ◽  
Martin B. Brodsky ◽  
Sarah Wallace ◽  
Tanis S. Cameron ◽  
...  

Purpose As the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded, there has been growing recognition of risks to frontline health care workers. When caring for patients with tracheostomy, speech-language pathologists have significant exposure to mucosal surfaces, secretions, and aerosols that may harbor the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This tutorial provides guidance on practices for safely performing patient evaluation and procedures, thereby reducing risk of infection. Method Data were collated through review of literature, guidelines, and consensus statements relating to COVID-19 and similar high-consequent infections, with a focus on mitigating risk of transmission to health care workers. Particular emphasis was placed on speech-language pathologists, nurses, and other allied health professionals. A multinational interdisciplinary team then analyzed findings, arriving at recommendations through consensus via electronic communications and video conference. Results Reports of transmission of infection to health care workers in the current COVID-19 pandemic and previous outbreaks substantiate the need for safe practices. Many procedures routinely performed by speech-language pathologists have a significant risk of infection due to aerosol generation. COVID-19 testing can inform level of protective equipment, and meticulous hygiene can stem spread of nosocomial infection. Modifications to standard clinical practice in tracheostomy are often required. Personal protective equipment, including either powered air-purifying respirator or N95 mask, gloves, goggles, and gown, are needed when performing aerosol-generating procedures in patients with known or suspected COVID-19 infection. Conclusions Speech-language pathologists are often called on to assist in the care of patients with tracheostomy and known or suspected COVID-19 infection. Appropriate care of these patients is predicated on maintaining the health and safety of the health care team. Careful adherence to best practices can significantly reduce risk of infectious transmission.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 348-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regine Beliard ◽  
Karina Muzykovsky ◽  
William Vincent ◽  
Bupendra Shah ◽  
Evangelia Davanos

Objectives: To assess knowledge and perceptions of health care workers regarding optimal care for patients with hyperglycemia and identify commonly perceived barriers for the development of a hospital-wide education program. Research Design and Methods: A cross-sectional design was utilized to survey health care workers involved in managing hyperglycemia in an urban, community teaching hospital. Each health care worker received a survey specific to their health care role. Results: Approximately 50% of questions about best clinical practices were answered correctly. Correct responses varied across disciplines (n, mean ± standard deviation [SD]), that is, physicians (n = 112, 53% ± 26%), nurses (n = 43, 52% ± 35%), pharmacists (n = 20, 64% ± 23%), dietitians (n = 5, 48% ± 30%), and patient care assistants (n = 12, 38% ± 34%). Most health care workers perceived hyperglycemia treatment to be very important and that sliding scale insulin was commonly used because of convenience but not efficacy. Conclusion: Knowledge regarding hyperglycemia management was suboptimal across a sample of health care workers when compared to clinical best practices. Hyperglycemia management was perceived to be important but convenience seemed to influence the management approach more than efficacy. Knowledge, perceptions, and barriers seem to play an important role in patient care and should be considered when developing education programs prior to implementation of optimized glycemic protocols.


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 824
Author(s):  
Eman H Elsebaie ◽  
Amany A Salem ◽  
Amal S Sedrak ◽  
Ahmed Ayad ◽  
Sahar A Ahmed ◽  
...  

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is increasing rapidly. Hospital acquired infections enhance local outbreaks, impacting the vulnerable populations. Infection prevention and control practices (IPC) refer to all the activities used to reduce the risk of infection spread.  This study aims to estimate the proportion of health care workers (HCWs) who acquired SARS-CoV2 infection, and evaluate their knowledge to IPC and suggest recommendations to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV2 infection.   Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Egypt from June 8, 2020, till August 19, 2020. A purposive sample of 518 HCWs from different governorates was included in the study. HCWs filled a structured questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization on a Google Form and a printed copy. The questionnaire link was shared on social media forums including HCWs such as Facebook.   Results: The mean age of HCWs was 33±7 and 65% were males. The majority of health care workers were affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Population (62.5%), recruited from Cairo (52.4%), and were physicians (78.2%). About 11% of the HCWs had been infected with SARS-CoV2. Their mean knowledge percent score regarding IPC was 36.19 ± 11.26. The highest rate of infection was among those with little experience (p=0.002), and those worked inside Cairo (p=0.018). About 89% mentioned that the leading cause of infection with SARS-CoV2 was the shortage in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). About 42% recommended raising the awareness for the importance of IPC to decrease risk of infection.   Conclusions: HCWs had a low score of knowledge toward IPC. There was a considerable proportion of SARS-CoV2 infection among them. Lack of knowledge and shortage of PPE were the contributing factors. It is necessary to provide juniors with IPC training, and hospitals with sufficient PPE.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-25
Author(s):  
Nada Bokhary ◽  
Ahlam Alamri ◽  
Abdullatif Almarashi ◽  
Noor Alharbi ◽  
Areej Bin-Sadek ◽  
...  

Objectives: The study explores the main health care workers (HCWs) clinical characteristics and related behaviors with procedures that impose risk of acquiring COVID.19 infection. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at East Jeddah Hospital. 100 Health Care worker participants who were detected as COVID-19 cases from March to July 2020 was obtained from the infection control department, and these HCWs were asked to fill out a questionnaire designed for this study. Data was analyzed using SPSS, and categorical data presented as counts and proportions. Results: Among the100 HCWs who contracted COVID-19, there was a marked predominance of females (69.0%) over males (31.0%). When dealing with COVID-19 cases, 93.1% of HCWs reported wearing a surgical mask and 61% an N95 mask, while only 69–80% reported wearing gloves, a disposable gown and eye protection. The procedures found to increase the risk of infection were taking nasopharyngeal swabs (23.0%), inserting nasogastric tubes (22.0%), ventilation (17.0%), and tracheal intubation (14.0%). Conclusion: This study confirms that noncompliance with the use of PPE as well as performing a specific procedure and working in close contact (<1.5 meters) for longer than 20 minutes increased the risk of infection. No minimal protective measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recommendation: Analysis of the data obtained in this study demonstrates the significant of using personal protective equipment's effectively among health care workers and its vital role in reducing rate of infection transmission. However, further cohort study required in the same field to obtain a comprehensive outcomes.


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