scholarly journals 66. What Worked (And Didn’t Work): A Survey of COVID-19 Response in Michigan Nursing Homes in the Midst of the Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S164-S165
Author(s):  
Julia Mantey ◽  
Karen Jones ◽  
Payal K Patel ◽  
Jennifer Meddings ◽  
Lona Mody

Abstract Background Nursing home (NH) populations are at higher risk for morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19. A March 2020 NH survey indicated improvements in pandemic planning when compared to a similar survey in 2007. We surveyed NHs to evaluate how well pandemic preparedness plans and infection prevention strategies met the reality of COVID-19. Methods The first COVID-19 case in Michigan was reported March 10, 2020. In the setting of 46,088 cases and 4,327 deaths statewide as of May 1, we disseminated an online survey to state department-registered NHs to describe their experience of the initial pandemic wave. Responses were collected May 1–12, during which the state averaged 585 cases/day. We were particularly interested in NH preparedness, challenges, testing capacity, and adaptations made. Results Of 452 NHs contacted, 145 opened the survey and 143 (32%) responded. A majority (68%) indicated that their facility’s pandemic response plan addressed > 90% of issues they experienced; 29% reported their plan addressed most but not all anticipated concerns (Table 1). As the pandemic evolved, all facilities (100%) provided additional staff education on proper personal protective equipment (PPE) use. 66% reported experiencing shortages of PPE and other supplies. Half of all facilities (50%) lacked sufficient resources to test asymptomatic residents or staff; only 36% were able to test all residents and staff with suspected COVID-19 infection. Half (52%) considered their communication regarding COVID-19 with nearby hospitals “very good.” The majority of facilities (55%) experienced staffing shortages, often relying on remaining staff to work additional hours and/or contracted staff to fill deficits (Table 2). NH staff resignations increased, with 63% of NHs experiencing resignations; staff with greater bedside contact were more likely to leave, including nurses and nurse assistants. Conclusion While most NHs had a plan to respond to COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, many facilities experienced a lack of available resources, less than ideal communication lines with local hospitals, lack of testing capacity and insufficient staff. These shortcomings indicate potential high-yield areas of improvement in pandemic preparedness in the NH setting. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadi Choucair ◽  
Nagham Younis ◽  
Alia Hourani

Abstract Background The potential of COVID-19 severe pandemic necessitates the development of an organized and well-reasoned plan for the management of embryology/andrology laboratories while safeguarding the wellbeing of patients and IVF staff. Main body A COVID-19 pandemic response plan was proposed for embryology and andrology laboratories for pre-pandemic preparedness and pandemic management in anticipation of a possible second coronavirus wave. Preparation involves many plans and logistics before a pandemic risk rises. Many operational changes can be considered during the pandemic. This plan includes logistical arrangements, reducing labor needs, conserving supplies, and protective measures for embryologists and gametes/embryos. Conclusion The unpredictable emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic dictates the need for a preparedness plan for embryology/andrology laboratories, which includes an action-oriented plan to secure the safety of all stakeholders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S494-S494
Author(s):  
Sarah Stream ◽  
M Salman Ashraf ◽  
Nada Fadul ◽  
Dan K German ◽  
Mounica Soma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In 2020, the Nebraska Infection Control Assessment and Promotion program began collaborating with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NE DHHS) and the CDC to distribute infection prevention and control (IPC) training to frontline healthcare professionals (HCPs), focusing on nursing assistants (NAs), dentists, and other groups not traditionally targeted by IPC training. We conducted a learning needs assessment of these workers to plan high-yield curricula for each group. Methods We distributed an online survey to Nebraska’s frontline HCPs via local professional society email lists and the NE DHHS’s weekly newsletter. The survey asked respondents to identify their professional role, practice setting (urban vs suburban vs rural), preferred sources and formats of training, and perceived need for additional training across multiple IPC topics. Results 456 HCPs completed our survey, including 177 NAs, 72 nurses, and 59 dentists; most HCPs practiced in a rural setting (62%). HCPs viewed the CDC as the most trustworthy source of IPC training (92% trusted, vs 71% for local health authorities, 64% for professional societies, and 43% for academic institutions); versus other respondents, NAs had substantially lower trust in all groups except the CDC. Respondents were more often interested in self-paced learning (63%) or interactive discussion with experts (53%) versus peer discussions (40%) or lectures (34%). Compared with other respondents, dentists were least interested in peer discussions (27%) and NAs in lectures (15%). Triage and screening was the only IPC training topic a majority of all respondents (51%) requested, though majorities of nurses (58%) and dentists (51%) also wanted training on environmental cleaning. Hand hygiene (12%) and personal protective equipment use (27%) were the least requested IPC topics, especially among NAs (5% and 18%). Conclusion Nebraska’s frontline healthcare workers express high confidence in the CDC as a source of IPC training and prefer self-paced and expert discussion learning modalities. Key between-group differences indicate that individualizing curricula for NAs, dentists, and other HCPs may improve IPC training quality. Disclosures M. Salman Ashraf, MBBS, Merck & Co. Inc (Grant/Research Support, I have recieved grant funding for an investigator initiated research project from Merck & Con. Inc. However, I do not see any direct conflict of interest related to the submitted abstract) Nicolas W. Cortes-Penfield, MD, Nothing to disclose


2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (S1) ◽  
pp. S63-S65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terri Rebmann

The H1N1 influenza pandemic provided a real-world test of hospital disaster plans. Challenges to hospitals included inconsistent use of isolation precautions; changing and conflicting guidelines; lack of available supplies, including N95 respirators and medications; and overwhelming amounts of information that required sifting. Further research is needed regarding pandemic planning.


Author(s):  
Muralitharan Shanmugakonar ◽  
Vijay Kanth Govindharajan ◽  
Kavitha Varadharajan ◽  
Hamda Al-Naemi

Laboratory Animal Research Centre (LARC) has developed an early emergency operational plan for COVID-19 pandemic situation. Biosafety and biosecurity measures were planned and implemented ahead of time to check the functional requirement to prevent the infection. Identified necessary support for IT, transport, procurement, finance, admin and research to make the operations remotely and successfully.


Author(s):  
Shusaku Sasaki ◽  
Hirofumi Kurokawa ◽  
Fumio Ohtake

AbstractNudge-based messages have been employed in various countries to encourage voluntary contact-avoidance and infection-prevention behaviors to control the spread of COVID-19. People have been repeatedly exposed to such messages; however, whether the messages keep exerting a significant impact over time remains unclear. From April to August 2020, we conducted a four-wave online survey experiment to examine how five types of nudge-based messages influence Japanese people’s self-reported preventive behaviors. In particular, we investigate how their behaviors are affected by repeated displays over time. The analysis with 4241 participants finds that only a gain-framed altruistic message, emphasizing their behavioral adherence would protect the lives of people close to them, reduces their frequency of going out and contacting others. We do not find similar behavioral changes in messages that contain an altruistic element but emphasize it in a loss-frame or describe their behavioral adherence as protecting both one’s own and others’ lives. Furthermore, the behavioral change effect of the gain-framed altruistic message disappears in the third and fourth waves, although its impact of reinforcing intentions remains. This message has even an adverse effect of worsening the compliance level of infection-prevention behaviors for the subgroup who went out less frequently before the experiment. The study’s results imply that when using nudge-based messages as a countermeasure for COVID-19, policymakers and practitioners need to carefully scrutinize the message elements and wording and examine to whom and how the messages should be delivered while considering their potential adverse and side effects.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 281-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lone Simonsen ◽  
Gerardo Chowell ◽  
Viggo Andreasen ◽  
Robert Gaffey ◽  
John Barry ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 40-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danae Papageorgiou ◽  
Angelos P. Kassianos ◽  
Marios Constantinou ◽  
Demetris Lamnisos ◽  
Christiana Nicolaou ◽  
...  

Abstract. Introduction: Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries imposed strict governmental lockdowns. Research investigating the psychological impact of pandemic-induced lockdowns is accumulating, though to date no study has examined the psychological health and associated parameters of well-being in countries that underwent additional lockdowns as the pandemic continued into resurgence “waves.” Aim: The present study provides an overview of the psychological impact of COVID-19 across the two lockdowns in the Cypriot population. Methods: In total, 957 participants completed an online survey during the first lockdown, 134 of whom completed a similar survey again during the second lockdown. The outcomes assessed included stress, positive and negative affect, and well-being. Results: The results indicated no population-wide severe reactions in the participants. Repeated measures analyses showed similar mental health levels during both the first and the second lockdowns. Further inspection of participants’ scores indicated that, for all mental health variables, approximately half of the participants improved, while the other half deteriorated. Discussion: Perceived social support and psychological flexibility predicted most psychological outcomes during both lockdowns. Further research is necessary to understand the continuing effects of the pandemic and associated lockdowns on mental health.


Author(s):  
Eugene Song ◽  
Hyun Jung Yoo

Public health has been under continuous threat worldwide in recent years. This study examined the impact of social support and social trust on the activities and efficacy of the public’s risk response in the case of COVID-19. We conducted an online survey over eight days with 620 Korean adult participants. Data were analyzed using structural equation modelling and K-means cluster analysis. Our results showed that public support had a positive impact on response efficacy, while response efficacy had a positive impact on sanitation, distancing, and purchasing activities. In addition, social support positively moderated the impact of public and individual support on response efficacy, while response efficacy negatively moderated the impact on sanitation activities. These results suggest that, first, amid viral risk, governments should proactively supply tools and information for infection-prevention, and deliver messages that encourage and support infection-prevention activities among the public. Second, when viral risk occurs, governments, along with all other members of society, must engage in aggressive risk response measures. Third, there is a need for risk communication that further emphasizes the importance of personal sanitation activities in the face of viral risk.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-96
Author(s):  
Piyush Rajbhandari ◽  
Deveshree Dongol

Infection prevention and control (IPC) programs play an integral part in the safety of patients, visitors, health care workers and environment as these programs provide guidelines and standard for recognition, prevention and control of infection. With COVID-19 pandemic, Patan Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal, is amongst the few hospitals in Nepal to have undertaken the responsibility of managing COVID patients. The COVID response plan has been activated and is currently the best prepared institution to manage this pandemic.


10.2196/22894 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. e22894
Author(s):  
Binh N Do ◽  
Tien V Tran ◽  
Dung T Phan ◽  
Hoang C Nguyen ◽  
Thao T P Nguyen ◽  
...  

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a heavy burden on health care systems and governments. Health literacy (HL) and eHealth literacy (as measured by the eHealth Literacy Scale [eHEALS]) are recognized as strategic public health elements but they have been underestimated during the pandemic. HL, eHEALS score, practices, lifestyles, and the health status of health care workers (HCWs) play crucial roles in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the eHEALS and examine associations of HL and eHEALS scores with adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures, lifestyle changes, and suspected COVID-19 symptoms among HCWs during lockdown. Methods We conducted an online survey of 5209 HCWs from 15 hospitals and health centers across Vietnam from April 6 to April 19, 2020. Participants answered questions related to sociodemographics, HL, eHEALS, adherence to IPC procedures, behavior changes in eating, smoking, drinking, and physical activity, and suspected COVID-19 symptoms. Principal component analysis, correlation analysis, and bivariate and multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to validate the eHEALS and examine associations. Results The eHEALS had a satisfactory construct validity with 8 items highly loaded on one component, with factor loadings ranked from 0.78 to 0.92 explaining 76.34% of variance; satisfactory criterion validity as correlated with HL (ρ=0.42); satisfactory convergent validity with high item-scale correlations (ρ=0.80-0.84); and high internal consistency (Cronbach α=.95). HL and eHEALS scores were significantly higher in men (unstandardized coefficient [B]=1.01, 95% CI 0.57-1.45, P<.001; B=0.72, 95% CI 0.43-1.00, P<.001), those with a better ability to pay for medication (B=1.65, 95% CI 1.25-2.05, P<.001; B=0.60, 95% CI 0.34-0.86, P<.001), doctors (B=1.29, 95% CI 0.73-1.84, P<.001; B 0.56, 95% CI 0.20-0.93, P=.003), and those with epidemic containment experience (B=1.96, 95% CI 1.56-2.37, P<.001; B=0.64, 95% CI 0.38-0.91, P<.001), as compared to their counterparts, respectively. HCWs with higher HL or eHEALS scores had better adherence to IPC procedures (B=0.13, 95% CI 0.10-0.15, P<.001; B=0.22, 95% CI 0.19-0.26, P<.001), had a higher likelihood of healthy eating (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P=.001; OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.07, P=.002), were more physically active (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.03, P<.001; OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03-1.05, P<.001), and had a lower likelihood of suspected COVID-19 symptoms (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.98, P<.001; OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95-0.98, P<.001), respectively. Conclusions The eHEALS is a valid and reliable survey tool. Gender, ability to pay for medication, profession, and epidemic containment experience were independent predictors of HL and eHEALS scores. HCWs with higher HL or eHEALS scores had better adherence to IPC procedures, healthier lifestyles, and a lower likelihood of suspected COVID-19 symptoms. Efforts to improve HCWs’ HL and eHEALS scores can help to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and minimize its consequences.


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