scholarly journals Protection of Medical Staff during Tracheotomy: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic

ORL ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 304-309
Author(s):  
Dong-Hyun Lee ◽  
Subin Kim ◽  
Ji-Sun Kim ◽  
Byung Guk Kim ◽  
Ki-Hong Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Staff ◽  
Emergency Situation ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Equipment Availability ◽  
Airway Problem ◽  
Efficient Protection ◽  
Detailed Protocol ◽  
Isolation Facility

<b><i>Background:</i></b> During the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, tracheotomy under emergency situation is considered a high-risk procedure that causes probable expose to aerosolized secretion. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> We reviewed our case and previous reports, and summarized a detailed protocol that is needed to protect medical staffs who perform tracheotomy under the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the patient’s condition, experience of medical staff members, and available facilities and equipment. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> For efficient protection of medical staff who perform tracheotomy under the COVID-19 pandemic period, we suggest that the following needs to be considered: assessment of patient’s condition (COVID-19 infection and the airway problem), route (safest route to the operating room), experienced surgical team, negative-pressure isolation facility and appliance (personal protective equipment) availability, and safe and appropriate post-tracheotomy care.

scholarly journals Mobilising a workforce to combat COVID-19: An account, reflections, and lessons learned

2020 ◽  
pp. 175114372097154
Author(s):  
Jennifer Doyle ◽  
Eleanor MJS Smith ◽  
Christopher JR Gough ◽  
Aaminah Haq ◽  
Charlotte Willis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Extensive Range

With the declaration of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic, intensive care units across the globe began to prepare for large numbers of patients. For many years, UK Intensive Care Units (ICUs) have been at high capacity, while facing staffing shortages. In order to prepare for the predicted increased work caring for large numbers with COVID-19, staff were redeployed from other clinical areas to help. Many of these staff had no previous ICU experience. In this article, we share our experiences redeploying medical staff from an extensive range of backgrounds, and how we utilised those staff to maximise use of their existing skills, together with reflections from a variety of redeployed staff members.

Coordinating Medical Literature with Patient Care

1977 ◽  
Vol 16 (04) ◽  
pp. 234-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joann Gustafson ◽  
J. Nelson ◽  
Ann Buller
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Medical Literature ◽  
Medical Information System ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Information Displays ◽  
Medical Displays ◽  
Computerized Medical Information ◽  
The Given

The contribution of a special library project to a computerized problem-oriented medical information system (PROMIS) is discussed. Medical information displays developed by the PROMIS medical staff are accessible to the health care provider via touch screen cathode terminals. Under PROMIS, members of the library project developed two information services, one concerned with the initial building of the medical displays and the other with the updating of this information. Information from 88 medical journals is disseminated to physicians involved in the building of the medical displays. Articles meeting predetermined selection criteria are abstracted and the abstracts are made available by direct selective dissemination or via a problem-oriented abstract file. The updating service involves comparing the information contained in the selected articles with the computerized medical displays on the given topic. Discrepancies are brought to the attention of PROMIS medical staff members who evaluate the information and make appropriate changes in the displays. Thus a feedback loop is maintained which assures the completeness, accuracy, and currency of the computerized medical information. The development of this library project and its interface with the computerized health care system thus attempts to deal with the problems in the generation, validation, dissemination, and application of medical literature.

scholarly journals Implementing a Massive Personal Protective Equipment Education—A Multidisciplinary Team Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s280-s281
Author(s):  
Mayar Al Mohajer ◽  
Megan Fischer ◽  
Melissa Rouse ◽  
Takei Pipkins ◽  
John Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Just In Time ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Online Video ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team Approach

Background: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against infectious materials. They include gloves, gowns, masks, respirators, googles and face shields. The CDC has issued guidelines on appropriateness of when, what, and how to use PPE. Despite these guidelines, compliance with PPE remains challenging. Methods: We implemented a massive hospital-wide rapid education program on PPE donning and doffing of all employees and staff. This program included an online video, return demonstration and just-in-time training. To develop the program, we recorded PPE training video, reviewed PPE validation checklist, developed new isolation precaution signage with quick response (QR) code to video, developed a nutrition tray removal video and a equipment cleaning video, developed family and visitor guidelines for isolation precautions, and created an audit tool for PPE donning and doffing practices. The program required interdisciplinary collaboration including administration, infection prevention, nursing education, central supply, environmental services, facility maintenance, and security. Results: The first phase of the program was implemented through 30 separate 4-hour PPE skills fair offered over 48 hours. In total, 500 staff members were trained in the first 48 hours; 6 additional 3-hour sessions were provided on site in the following 3 month. Additionally, training was provided in off-site clinics, physician leadership meetings, new-hire orientation for nursing staff, and monthly resident and fellow training through graduate medical education. As needed, training was provided by infection prevention, nursing education, and floor nurses. In total, 5,237 staff members were trained within 3 months after implementation. Actual audit results (50 audits per week) showed improved and sustained compliance to >94%. Conclusions: A massive hospital-wide educational program including online video, return demonstration, and just-in-time training is a feasible and very effective method to improve compliance with PPE donning and doffing. A multidisciplinary team approach, administration support, and continuous education and audits are key factors in successful implementation.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Psychological impact and implementation of preventative measures in hemodialysis centers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a provincial questionnaire survey in China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanhan Chen ◽  
Yanhua Wu ◽  
Penghua Hu ◽  
Xia Fu ◽  
Shuangxin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Guangdong Province ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Tertiary Hospitals ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Objectives This study investigated the psychological status of patients and staff, and the implementation of preventative measures in hemodialysis centers in Guangdong province, China, during the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods An electronic questionnaire survey was carried out anonymously between March 28 and April 3, 2020. All of the 516 hemodialysis centers registered in Guangdong province were invited to participate in the survey. The questionnaires were designed to investigate the psychological status of hemodialysis patients and general staff members (doctors, nurses, technicians, and other staff), and to address the implementation of preventative measures for administrators (directors or head nurses) of the hemodialysis centers. Results A total of 1782 patients, 3400 staff, and 420 administrators voluntarily participated in this survey. Patients living in rural areas reported a higher incidence of severe anxiety compared to those living in other areas (in rural areas, towns, and cities, the incidence rate was 17.0%, 9.0%, and 8.9%, respectively, P < 0.001). Medical staff were less likely to worry about being infected than non-medical staff (13.1% vs 30.3%, respectively, P < 0.001). With respect to the implementation of preventative measures, hemodialysis centers in general hospitals outperformed stand-alone blood purification centers, while tertiary hospitals outperformed hospitals of other levels. However, restrictions regarding the admission of non-resident patients were lower in tertiary hospitals than in other hospitals. In this situation, only one patient imported from Hubei province was diagnosed with COVID-19. Conclusions COVID-19 did not significantly affect the psychological status of most patients and medical staff members. Due to the implementation of comprehensive preventative measures, there were no cluster outbreaks of COVID-19 in hemodialysis centers. This provincial-level survey may provide referential guidance for other countries and regions that are experiencing a similar pandemic.

scholarly journals Preparedness and response of a tertiary hospital to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: challenges, opportunities and lessons

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darlington E Obaseki ◽  
Iriagbonse I Osaigbovo ◽  
Esohe O Ogboghodo ◽  
Omokhoa Adeleye ◽  
Obehi A Akoria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Scientific Journals ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Individual Healthcare

Abstract Africa was the last continent to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the discourse on Africa's response captured in scientific journals revolves around nations, public health agencies and organizations, but little is documented about how individual healthcare facilities have fared. This article reports the challenges faced in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria, including space constraints, diagnostic challenges, shortages in personal protective equipment and health worker infections. The opportunities and strengths that aided the response are also highlighted. The lessons learned will be useful to similar facilities. More information about health facility response at various levels is needed to comprehensively assess Africa's response to the pandemic.

scholarly journals Audits of emergency trolleys’ contents in selected hospitals in Botswana

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lakshmi Rajeswaran ◽  
Valerie J. Ehlers
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Emergency Situation ◽  
Hospital Ward ◽  
Equipment And Supplies ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation ◽  
Government Hospitals ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Hospital Wards

Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency situation. The outcome depends on timely and effective cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Successful CPR attempts in hospitals require well-equipped emergency trolleys and properly functioning equipment, as well as staff members skilled in performing CPR. The study aimed to determine whether the emergency trolleys in Botswana’s hospitals’ wards or units met the expected standards. The contents of the emergency trolleys in 20 wards or units of two referral government hospitals in Botswana were audited by using a standardised checklist. No hospital ward or unit had all the expected equipment or drugs on its emergency trolley, some units failed to check their emergency trolleys’ contents daily. All 20 hospital wards or units that participated in this study, needed to improve the contents and maintenance of their emergency trolleys, otherwise in-hospital CPR efforts in Botswana might be doomed to failure, losing lives that could have been saved if emergency trolleys’ equipment and supplies had been up to standard.OpsommingHartarres is ‘n lewensbedreigende noodsituasie. Die uitkoms word bepaal deur tydige en effektiewe kardio-pulmonale resussitasie (KPR). Suksesvolle KPR pogings in hospitale vereis goed toegeruste noodtrollies en toerusting wat behoorlik funksioneer, asook personeellede wat bedrewe is in die uitvoering van KPR. Die studie het gepoog om te bepaal of die noodtrollies in Botswana se hospitaalsale of eenhede aan die verwagte standaarde voldoen. Die inhoud van die noodtrollies in 20 sale of enhede van twee van Botswana se hospitale is ge-ouditeer deur ‘n gestandardiseerde kontrolelys te benut. Geen hospitaalsaal of eenheid het al die verwagte toerusting of drogerye op sy noodtrollie gehad nie, sommige eenhede het nie hulle noodtrollies se inhoud gereeld gekontroleer nie. Al 20 hospitaalsale of eenhede wat aan die studie deelgeneem het, moet die inhoud en instandhouding van hulle noodtrollies verbeter, anders kan in-hospitaal KPR pogings in Botswana tot mislukkings gedoem wees, waardeur lewens verloor word wat gered kon gewees het, indien die noodtrollies se inhoud op standaard was.

scholarly journals Behavior and role of resident medical staff members and neighboring hospitals in the Great Hanshin Earthquake.

1996 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 749-754
Author(s):  
Hidewaki Nakagawa ◽  
Tadashi Yasuda ◽  
Takashi Ukai
Keyword(s):  
Medical Staff ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Hanshin Earthquake

scholarly journals A mask-based infection control method for screening endoscopy may prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission and relieve staff anxiety

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110470
Author(s):  
Yuji Nadatani ◽  
Akira Higashimori ◽  
Shingo Takashima ◽  
Hirotsugu Maruyama ◽  
Koji Otani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Fluorescent Dyes ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Health Checkup ◽  
Screening Endoscopy ◽  
Droplet Trajectory

Objectives: Endoscopy confers high risk for acquiring coronavirus disease 2019. Although guidelines recommend that medical staff use personal protective equipment, no infection control equipment have been established for patients. This study aimed to clarify the usefulness of two face masks we had designed for transnasal and transoral endoscopy. Methods: The efficacy of the masks was evaluated by simulating coughing in a mannequin with fluorescent dyes and mapping the droplet trajectory and number. The number of aerosols generated during endoscopy was clinically evaluated in the endoscopy room. Overall, 4356 screening endoscopies were performed with the patients wearing our masks at Medcity21, a health checkup facility, between June and December 2020; the effects of the masks on the patient’s condition were evaluated retrospectively. An 11-item paper-based survey was performed by the endoscopy staff 6 months after the adoption of the mask-based infection control method. Results: Use of both masks reduced the number of droplets released during the simulation. Clinically, the use of both masks did not affect the patients’ conditions during endoscopy and prevented an increase in the aerosols in the endoscopy room. This mask-based infection control method was favorably received, and all staff indicated that understanding the efficacy of our mask-based infection control reduced their anxiety regarding infection. Until December 2020, none of our staff had contracted SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion: Our mask-based infection control method is easy to adopt, inexpensive, and effective; understanding its effectiveness may help ease the fear of infection among endoscopy staff.

scholarly journals Nursing professionals’ biosafety in confronting COVID-19

2022 ◽  
Vol 75 (suppl 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mônica Alice Santos da Silva ◽  
Morgana Cristina Leôncio de Lima ◽  
Cynthia Angélica Ramos de Oliveira Dourado ◽  
Clarissa Mourão Pinho ◽  
Maria Sandra Andrade
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Descriptive Data ◽  
Equipment Availability ◽  
Nursing Team ◽  
Internal Flux ◽  
Nursing Professionals

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the nursing professionals’ biosecurity in confronting COVID-19. Methods: This is a Survey type study. Nursing professionals were invited via messaging apps, using self-applied data collection forms. The sample selection (n=693) was non-probabilistic. A descriptive data analysis was conducted. Results: considering the biosafety aspects in facing COVID-19, 79.0% of the participants had not received training or considered it insufficient, 69.3% reported the lack of personal protective equipment during work, and 81.8% did not feel safe with the internal flux adaptations for handling COVID-19 cases. Conclusion: Continuous and effective nursing team training and personal protective equipment availability are necessary, as well as internal flow adjustments for attending suspected or confirmed cases.

Engaging Housestaff as Informatics Collaborators: Educational and Operational Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (05) ◽  
pp. 1150-1156
Author(s):  
Jared A. Shenson ◽  
Ivana Jankovic ◽  
Hyo Jung Hong ◽  
Benjamin Weia ◽  
Lee White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
First Year ◽  
Hospital Governance ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
It Systems

Abstract Background In academic hospitals, housestaff (interns, residents, and fellows) are a core user group of clinical information technology (IT) systems, yet are often relegated to being recipients of change, rather than active partners in system improvement. These information systems are an integral part of health care delivery and formal efforts to involve and educate housestaff are nascent. Objective This article develops a sustainable forum for effective engagement of housestaff in hospital informatics initiatives and creates opportunities for professional development. Methods A housestaff-led IT council was created within an academic medical center and integrated with informatics and graduate medical education leadership. The Council was designed to provide a venue for hands-on clinical informatics educational experiences to housestaff across all specialties. Results In the first year, five housestaff co-chairs and 50 members were recruited. More than 15 projects were completed with substantial improvements made to clinical systems impacting more than 1,300 housestaff and with touchpoints to nearly 3,000 staff members. Council leadership was integrally involved in hospital governance committees and became the go-to source for housestaff input on informatics efforts. Positive experiences informed members' career development toward informatics roles. Key lessons learned in building for success are discussed. Conclusion The council model has effectively engaged housestaff as learners, local champions, and key informatics collaborators, with positive impact for the participating members and the institution. Requiring few resources for implementation, the model should be replicable at other institutions.

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