Prevention of fogging inside safety goggles for healthcare professionals during COVID-19 pandemic: A low-cost solution in resource-limited settings

2021 ◽  
pp. 004947552199759
Author(s):  
Apoorv Singh ◽  
Deepika Kainth ◽  
Sachit Anand ◽  
Aparajita Mitra
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited

Fogging inside the safety goggles is a common problem experienced by more healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic than ever. Various anti-fogging remedies are available on the market. We have adopted a low-cost alternative that can be extremely useful in resource-limited settings.

scholarly journals Validation of a point-of-care rapid diagnostic test for hepatitis C for use in resource-limited settings

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-315
Author(s):  
James S Leathers ◽  
Maria Belen Pisano ◽  
Viviana Re ◽  
Gertine van Oord ◽  
Amir Sultan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Rapid Diagnosis ◽  
Direct Acting Antivirals ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Rapid Diagnosis Test ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
Direct Acting

Abstract Background Treatment of HCV with direct-acting antivirals has enabled the discussion of HCV eradication worldwide. Envisioning this aim requires implementation of mass screening in resource-limited areas, usually constrained by testing costs. Methods We validated a low-cost, rapid diagnosis test (RDT) for HCV in three different continents in 141 individuals. Results The HCV RDT showed 100% specificity and sensitivity across different samples regardless of genotype or viral load (in samples with such information, 90%). Conclusions The HCV test validated in this study can allow for HCV screening in areas of need when properly used.

scholarly journals 69 Exploring learners’ perspectives of a pediatric palliative care tele-mentoring and education program (project ECHO) in a resource-limited setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. e29-e29
Author(s):  
Emily Evans ◽  
Megan Doherty ◽  
Shokoufeh Modanloo ◽  
Jennifer Rowe ◽  
Dennis Newhook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Pediatric Palliative Care ◽  
Learning Resources ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Project Echo ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
One Year

Abstract Introduction/Background More than 98% of children who need palliative care live in low- or middle-income countries where access to palliative care is extremely limited. A lack of palliative care education for health care providers has been identified as a significant barrier to improving access to palliative care. Project ECHO (Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an online tele-mentoring educational platform developed to improve access to specialist care in these underserved areas. From 2018 to 2019, we piloted a one-year Project ECHO program which provided pediatric palliative care training for healthcare professionals mainly within India and surrounding South Asian countries. Objectives The objective of this study was to explore the learning experiences of participants in a Project ECHO on pediatric palliative care in South Asia and explore considerations to improve ECHO to cater to the unique learning needs and challenges for healthcare professionals in resource-limited settings. Design/Methods We implemented a one-year Project ECHO targeting healthcare providers in South Asia, which consisted of 24 bi-weekly 90-minute sessions. Learners who attended at least 20% (5 sessions) were invited to participate in focus groups. Focus groups were designed to explore participants’ experiences and the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the program. Recordings of the focus group sessions were transcribed, coded and independently verified. The codes were then arranged into overarching themes. Results Seventeen individuals from India and Bangladesh participated in four focus groups at the end of ECHO PPC. Following coding and analysis, two major themes and seven sub-themes were identified. The themes included: (1) Benefits of participation in ECHO PPC (creation of a community of practice; opportunity to exchange cultures, ideas and experiences; supportive role of the facilitator and peers; increased relevant knowledge and skills; and access to additional learning resources) and (2) Barriers to participation (difficulties with time and practice schedule management; and language and sociocultural factors). Conclusion Healthcare professionals in resource-limited settings benefit from project ECHO through the creation of a supportive, online learning community of peers where ideas, experiences and learning resources can be shared. Addressing barriers to participation may enhance the learning experience of project ECHO in the future.

Low cost HIV-1 quantitative RT-PCR assay in resource-limited settings: Improvement and implementation

2012 ◽  
Vol 185 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azzania Fibriani ◽  
Nadya Farah ◽  
Inri Kusumadewi ◽  
Suzan D. Pas ◽  
Reinout van Crevel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Hiv 1

Design and Validation of a Low-Cost Microscope for Diagnostics in the Developing World

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 16-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Cline ◽  
R. Luo ◽  
K. Kuhlmann
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
High Resolution Imaging ◽  
Microscope Examination ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Resolution Imaging

Many infectious diseases prevalent in the developing world, including malaria and tuberculosis, are difficult to diagnose on the basis of symptoms alone but can be accurately detected using microscope examination. Currently the expense, size, and fragility of optical microscopes impede their widespread use in resource-limited settings. Addressing these obstacles facing microscopy in the developing world is a pressing need; over 800,000 people, primarily children in Africa, die annually of malaria, and more than 1,500,000 people die annually of tuberculosis [1][2]. The aim of this study is to design and validate a microscope for use in the developing world that combines high-resolution imaging, extreme affordability, and long-term durability.

scholarly journals A 3D-printed hand-powered centrifuge for molecular biology

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaurav Byagathvalli ◽  
Aaron F. Pomerantz ◽  
Soham Sinha ◽  
Janet Standeven ◽  
M. Saad Bhamla
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Biology ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Power Source ◽  
Medical Diagnostics ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
External Power Source ◽  
External Power ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Proof Of Principle

The centrifuge is an essential tool for many aspects of research and medical diagnostics. However, conventional centrifuges are often inaccessible outside of conventional laboratory settings, such as remote field sites, require a constant external power source, and can be prohibitively costly in resource-limited settings and STEM-focused programs. Here we present the 3D-Fuge, a 3D-printed hand-powered centrifuge, as a novel alternative to standard benchtop centrifuges. Based on the design principles of a paper-based centrifuge, this 3D-printed instrument increases the volume capacity to 2 mL and can reach hand-powered centrifugation speeds up to 6,000 rpm. The 3D-Fuge devices presented here are capable of centrifugation of a wide variety of different solutions such as spinning down samples for biomarker applications and performing nucleotide extractions as part of a portable molecular lab setup. We introduce the design and proof-of-principle trials that demonstrate the utility of low-cost 3D printed centrifuges for use in remote and educational settings.

scholarly journals Mobilefuge: A low-cost, portable, open source, 3D-printed centrifuge that can be used for purification of saliva samples for SARS-CoV2 detection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohini Bhupathi ◽  
Ganga Chinna Rao Devarapu
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Power Supplies ◽  
Testing Methods ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Frequent Testing ◽  
The Cost

One of the best ways to contain the spread of COVID-19 is frequent testing of as many people as possible and timely isolation of uninfected personnel from infected personnel. However, the cost of massive testing is affordable in many countries. The existing technologies might not be scalable to offer affordable testing for millions of people. To address this issue, novel testing methods based on Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) were proposed that are more sensitive, require less reagents and can work with saliva samples instead of more tedious nasal swabs. As a result, LAMP based protocols can make it possible to drive the cost down to one dollar per test. These LAMP based methods require a centrifuge device, mostly for separation of viral particles from reaction inhibitors in saliva samples. However, centrifuge is neither accessible nor affordable in many resource limited settings, especially during this pandemic situation when normal supply chains are heavily disrupted. To overcome these challenges, we invented a low-cost centrifuge that can be useful for carrying out low-cost LAMP based detection of SARS-Cov2 virus in saliva. The 3D printed centrifuge (Mobilefuge) is portable, robust, stable, safe, easy to build and operate. The Mobilefuge doesn't require soldering or programming skills and can be built without any specialised equipment, yet practical enough for high throughput use. More importantly, Mobilefuge can be powered from widely available USB ports, including mobile phones and associated power supplies. This allows the Mobilefuge to be used even in off-grid and resource limited settings. We believe that our invention will aid the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by lowering the costs of testing equipment. Apart from the COVID-19 testing, the Mobilefuge can have applications in the field of biomedical research and diagnostics.

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