scholarly journals Simulation of aerosol and droplet spread during upper airway and gastrointestinal endoscopy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Heymer ◽  
Florian Dengler ◽  
Alexander Krohn ◽  
Christina Jaki ◽  
Tobias Schilling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ◽  
Central Venous Access ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Venous Access ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Clear Plastic ◽  
Care Worker

Objective: Aerosols and droplets are the main vectors in transmission of highly contagious SARS-Cov-2. Invasive diagnostic procedures like upper airway and gastrointestinal endoscopy have been declared as aerosol generating procedures. Protection of health care workers is crucial in times of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We simulated aerosol and droplet spread during upper airway and gastrointestinal endoscopy with and without physico-mechanical barriers using a simulation model. Results: A clear plastic drape as used for central venous access markedly reduced visualized aerosol and droplet spread during endoscopy. Conclusion: A simple and cheap drape has the potential to reduce aerosol and droplet spread during endoscopy. In terms of health care worker protection, this may be important particularly in low- or moderate-income countries.

Stepping up detection, response, preparedness and readiness measures for “COVID-19”- A Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1042-1047
Author(s):  
Khushbu Balsara ◽  
Deepankar Shukla
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Short Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
Detection Response ◽  
Care Worker

In a very short period of time, “COVID-19” has seized the consciousness globally by making remarkable changes in our day to day living and has superintended as a public health emergency globally. It has high radar of transmission, affecting an individual at work to frontline workers. The measures and planning for a response plays a key role from drawing up an emergency committee and this follows an equation which broadly deals with epidemiological to clinical history of the patient, management steps from isolation, screening, diagnostic assays for identification and treatment. The application of an organized plan with secure structure aids in better performance, increases efficacy of management and saves time. Also saves time for a health care worker to g through routine levels of channels of administration if already a familiar way of operation is known for such situations. Thus, planning and developing a ‘blueprint of approach’ towards management of patient while facing such situation is a must. This review provides an insight to the measures for detection, response and preparedness of the hospital and health care workers should largely be inclusive of; also highlights the measures to be taken at every step after coming in contact with a positive case of “COVID-19”.

scholarly journals A COVID-19 Infection Risk Model for Frontline Health Care Workers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louie Florendo Dy ◽  
Jomar Fajardo Rabajante
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Interaction Time ◽  
Work Shift ◽  
Crowd Density ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Care Worker

AbstractThe number of confirmed COVID-19 cases admitted in hospitals is continuously increasing in the Philippines. Frontline health care workers are faced with imminent risks of getting infected. In this study, we formulate a theoretical model to calculate the risk of being infected in health care facilities considering the following factors: the average number of encounters with a suspected COVID-19 patient per hour; interaction time for each encounter; work shift duration or exposure time; crowd density, which may depend on the amount of space available in a given location; and availability and effectiveness of protective gears and facilities provided for the frontline health care workers. Based on the simulation results, a set of risk assessment criteria is proposed to classify risks as ‘low’, ‘moderate’, or ‘high’. We recommend the following: (i) decrease the rate of patient encounter per frontline health care worker, e.g., maximum of three encounters per hour in a 12-hour work shift duration; (ii) decrease the interaction time between the frontline health care worker and the patients, e.g., less than 40 minutes for the whole day; (iii) increase the clean and safe space for social distancing, e.g., maximum of 10% crowd density, and if possible, implement compartmentalization of patients; and/or (iv) provide effective protective gears and facilities, e.g., 95% effective, that the frontline health care workers can use during their shift. Moreover, the formulated model can be used for other similar scenarios, such as identifying infection risk in public transportation, school classroom settings, offices, and mass gatherings.

scholarly journals Triaging Patients Undergoing Endoscopy During COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 41-43
Author(s):  
Sundeep Lakhtakia ◽  
Mohan Ramchandani
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Interventional Procedures ◽  
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ◽  
Indian Society ◽  
Gi Endoscopy ◽  
Endoscopic Procedures ◽  
Careful Scrutiny ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Indian Association

Abstract"Triaging for endoscopy" is the process to determine the most deserving patients after careful scrutiny amongst a pool of patients who report for Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy diagnostic or interventional procedures that include Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD), Colonoscopy, ERCP, EUS and Enteroscopy. The purpose of triaging at endoscopy is to prevent transmission of SARS-COV2 infection from suspected patient to the health care workers involved at endoscopy. The three professional Indian Gastroenterology bodies namely Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of India (SGEI), Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) & Indian Association for the study of the liver (INASL) have recently provided guidance of scheduling of endoscopic procedures in the current Covid-9 pandemic. Similar suggestions have been promulgated by other international bodies.

scholarly journals Will Universal Access to Antiretroviral Therapy Ever be Possible? The Health Care Worker Challenge

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. e64-e69 ◽  
Author(s):  
André R Maddison ◽  
Walter F Schlech
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Care Worker

The United Nations millennium development goal of providing universal access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for patients living with HIV/AIDS by 2010 is unachievable. Currently, four million people are receiving ART, of an estimated 13.7 million who need it. A major challenge to achieving this goal is the shortage of health care workers in low-income and low-resource areas of the world. Sub-Saharan African countries have 68% of the world’s burden of illness from AIDS, yet have only 3% of health care workers worldwide. The shortage of health care providers is primarily caused by a national and international ‘brain drain,’ poor distribution of health care workers within countries, and health care worker burnout.Even though the millennium development goal to provide universal access to ART will not be met by 2010, it is imperative to continue to build on the momentum created by these humanitarian goals. The present literature review was written with the purpose of attracting research and policy attention toward evidence from small-scale projects in sub-Saharan Africa, which have been successful at increasing access to ART. Specifically, a primary-care model of ART delivery, which focuses on decentralization of services, task shifting and community involvement will be discussed. To improve the health care worker shortage in sub-Saharan Africa, the conventional model of health care delivery must be replaced with an innovative model that utilizes doctors, nurses and community members more effectively.

Understanding the Predictors that Contribute to Liberian Health Care Workers Feeling Protected From Ebola While at Work

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Kayla Enriquez ◽  
Kanagasabai Udhayashankar ◽  
Michelle Niescierenko
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Returning To Work ◽  
Care Worker ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess Liberian health care workers’ feelings around safety in returning to work in the setting of the Ebola virus disease outbreak of 2014–2015 after receiving infection prevention and control (IPC) training. Methods: Academic Consortium Combating Ebola in Liberia (ACCEL) training surveys were done at 21 public, Liberian hospitals to understand health care workers’ attitudes surrounding Ebola and whether they felt safe while at work based on multiple factors. Logistic regression was used for analysis. Results: We found that health care workers feeling safe at work during the Ebola outbreak was primarily predicted by the number of IPC/Ebola trainings received pre-ACCEL interventions. Health care workers felt increasingly safer and motivated to return to work as trainings approached 3 (OR 8, p-value < 0.001); however, more than 3 trainings resulted in decreased safety and motivation. In addition, health care workers who reported washing their hands before and after patient contact were 3.4 times more likely to understand how to protect themselves from Ebola. Conclusions: These results help to better understand the utility of repeated trainings on health care worker practice attitudes and the importance of IPC policies within hospitals, such as hand hygiene promotion and education, when coordinating humanitarian efforts.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Medical Equipment in a Non-Health Care Worker Caring for a Disabled Spouse

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-211
Author(s):  
Ilya Shoimer ◽  
Melanie Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Contact Dermatitis ◽  
Allergic Contact Dermatitis ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Medical Equipment ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Allergic Contact ◽  
Care Worker ◽  
Rubber Accelerators

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to rubber accelerators is a common occurrence, especially in health care workers, but the risks in family caregivers are not as well documented. Objective: To document a case of a 66-year-old woman who developed recurrent, extensive flares of ACD from contact with rubber accelerators through caregiving. Method and Results: Patch testing revealed a positive reaction to two common rubber accelerators: carba mix (3+) and thiuram mix (3+). The patient described caring for her disabled husband, which involved handling rubberized medical equipment. Conclusion: Physicians should appreciate ACD in non-health care workers caused by rubber accelerators found in medical equipment. Individuals providing care for sick or elderly relatives should be further questioned on exposure to a hospital environment and contact with medical equipment.

scholarly journals Risk and Protective factors for mental health of the families of health care workers in India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sphoorthi G. Prabhu ◽  
Lavinia Lyngdoh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Family ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Care Worker

COVID-19 is a global health threat which has affected each one of us terribly. Among the different groups of people, the families of health care workers are silent sufferers in the current scenario. They undergo significant psychological and social issues which could impact their mental health. However, there could also be factors which would help them maintain an equilibrium in the family in spite of the challenges they encounter with their family member being a health care worker. This may be specifically observed in the Indian context. Therefore, this paper has attempted to discuss the risk and protective factors for mental health in the families of healthcare workers in India.

Investigation of the Relationship between Workers' Perceptions and Compliance with Standard Safety Precautions in a Rural Hospital

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (16) ◽  
pp. 1467-1471
Author(s):  
Paul Hable ◽  
Alvaro D. Taveira ◽  
Ben-Tzion Karsh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Venous Access ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Stepwise Logistic Regression ◽  
Arterial Access ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Worker Perceptions ◽  
Job Category

The practice of standard safety precautions in health care facilities is essential for the protection of health care workers from exposure to blood borne pathogens. Understanding the relationships between worker perceptions and behaviors can be central to the success of safety programs in health care facilities. A survey questionnaire was distributed to 174 health care workers who perform injections, venous access or arterial access procedures in a 110-bed facility located in a rural Midwest community. One hundred thirty-one were returned (response rate 75%). A stepwise logistic regression procedure was conducted having job category, gender, job tenure, and previous experience in a metropolitan location as covariates. Findings indicated that three of 15 examined risk factors predicted less than perfect compliance with standard safety precautions. Individuals reporting that they tear off glove fingers, that compliance is difficult, and stating that gloves make finding veins difficult all had significant odds of imperfect compliance.

scholarly journals Meta Analysis on Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Perception towards COVID-19 among Health Care Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-142
Author(s):  
Saraswati Basnet
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Poor Knowledge ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Knowledge And Practice ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Care Worker

 Corona virus that causes illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases, is a newly discovered ribonucleic acid corona virus named 2019-nCoV.SARS-CoV-2. The aim of the meta-analysis is to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, practice and perception towards Covid-19 among health care worker (HCWs) by performing a systematic Meta analysis of related published literature. The Meta analysis was done only on involved sample of at least 327 to 1357 and total 4005 subjects and diverse research design were eligible among the 8 full-text articles. A formal extraction protocol was the PRISMA-P. Most of the HCWs were nurses, doctors and paramedic and females (54.9%). Nearly half (44.4%) were nurses, 36.8% were doctors and only 18.8% were pharmacists & technician. Most of (87.1%) of the health care workers had good knowledge, almost all had positive attitude, 87.4% had positive practice and almost all had positive perception in terms of perception of Covid-19. Similarly less than one forth (12.9%) of health care worker had poor knowledge, less than one forth (12.5%) had poor practice respectively. The studies concluded that almost all of the HCWs had good knowledge, good practice, positive attitude and perception towards covid-19. A few HCWs had poor knowledge and practice, so training program could improve knowledge and practice.

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