scholarly journals Effect of Implementing Simulation Education on Health Care Worker Comfort With Nasopharyngeal Swabbing for COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle E. Mark ◽  
Phillip LoSavio ◽  
Inna Husain ◽  
Peter Papagiannopoulos ◽  
Pete S. Batra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Simulation Training ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Improve Health Care ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
Improve Health

Objective To determine if rapid implementation of simulation training for the nasopharyngeal swab procedure can increase provider confidence regarding procedure competency. Methods A simulation training exercise was designed as a departmental initiative to improve competency performing nasopharyngeal swabs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sixty-one health care workers attended teaching sessions led by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology on proper nasopharyngeal swab technique. After a brief lecture, participants practiced their swab technique using a high-fidelity airway simulation model. Pre- and postintervention self-evaluations were measured via standardized clinical competency questionnaires on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from “No knowledge, unable to perform” up to “Highly knowledgeable and confident, independent.” Results Forty-six participants in this study submitted pre- and postintervention self-assessments. Postintervention scores improved on average 1.41 points (95% CI, 1.10-1.73) out of 5 from a mean score of 3.13 to 4.54 ( P < .0001). This reflects a large effect size with a Glass’s delta value of 1.3. Discussion Lecture coupled with simulation-based teaching can significantly improve health care workers’ confidence in performing nasopharyngeal swabs. Proper training for frontline workers performing swabs for COVID-19 is essential to improving testing accuracy and can be achieved in a simple and timely manner. Implications for Practice To meet the testing needs of the growing pandemic, many health care workers who are unfamiliar with nasopharyngeal swabs have been asked to perform this test. Simulation-based teaching sessions may improve health care workers’ confidence and help prevent false-negative results. This intervention is easily reproducible in any setting where frequent nasopharyngeal swab testing occurs. Level of Evidence/Study Design Prospective cohort study.

scholarly journals Results of a Pilot Intervention to Improve Health and Safety for Health Care Workers

2013 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 1449-1455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Eicher Caspi ◽  
Jack T. Dennerlein ◽  
Christopher Kenwood ◽  
Anne M. Stoddard ◽  
Karen Hopcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Pilot Intervention ◽  
Improve Health

scholarly journals The experience of the health care workers of a severely hit SARS-CoV-2 referral Hospital in Italy: incidence, clinical course and modifiable risk factors for COVID-19 infection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Colaneri ◽  
Viola Novelli ◽  
Sara Cutti ◽  
Alba Muzzi ◽  
Guido Resani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Cumulative Incidence ◽  
Clinical Course ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Modifiable Risk Factors ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Prolonged Contact

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, the health care workers (HCWs) at the frontline have been largely exposed to infected patients, running a high risk of being infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Since limiting transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in health care setting is crucial to avoid the community spread of SARS-CoV-2, we want to share our experience as an early hit hospital where standard infection control practices have been conscientiously applied and effective. We believe that our example, as first and hardest hit country, might be a warning and aid not only for those who have been hit later, but also for a second fearful wave of contagion. In addition, we want to offer an insight on modifiable risk factors for HWs-related infection. Methods Demographic, lifestyle, work-related and comorbidities data of 1447 HCWs, which underwent a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2, were retrospectively collected. For the 164 HCWs positive for SARS-CoV-2, data about safety in the workplace, symptoms and clinical course of COVID-19 were also collected. Cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was estimated. Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection were assessed using a multivariable Poisson regression. Results The cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the screened HCWs was 11.33% (9.72–13.21). Working in a COVID-19 ward, being a former smoker (versus being a person who never smoked) and BMI was positively associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas being a current smoker was negatively associated with this variable. Conclusions Assuming an equal accessibility and proper use of personal protective equipment of all the HCWs of our Hospital, the great and more prolonged contact with COVID-19 patients remains the crucial risk factor for SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, increased and particular care needs to be focused specifically on the most exposed HCWs groups, which should be safeguarded. Furthermore, in order to limit the risk of asymptomatic spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the HCWs mild symptoms of COVID-19 should be considered when evaluating the potential benefits of universal staff testing.

scholarly journals Effect of Powered Air-Purifying Respirators on Speech Recognition Among Health Care Workers

2020 ◽  
pp. 019459982094568
Author(s):  
Judith S. Kempfle ◽  
Ashwin Panda ◽  
Mary Hottin ◽  
Kevin Vinik ◽  
Elliott D. Kozin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Sound Levels ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Hearing Thresholds ◽  
Communication Difficulties ◽  
Word Discrimination

Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) are used as personalized protective equipment for health care personnel. PAPRs offer health care workers added protection when dealing with patients who have high-risk infectious disease such as COVID-19. Unfortunately, PAPRs can produce notable levels of background noise. We hypothesize that PAPR use may be associated with increased hearing thresholds and impaired word discrimination and may ultimately have a negative impact on effective communication. Herein, we (1) determined sound levels generated by PAPRs and (2) measured hearing thresholds and word discrimination with and without operational PAPRs. All participants had normal hearing. When the PAPR was operational, mean ± SD thresholds increased from 4.5 ± 3.6 to 38.6 ± 5.6 dB HL ( P < .001). Word discrimination dropped from 100% in all participants in quiet to a mean 48% ± 14% with operational PAPR ( P < .001). Thus, we find that use of PAPR hoods results in hearing impairment comparable to moderate to severe hearing loss, and we suspect that users will experience communication difficulties as a result. Level of Evidence. Prospective study.

scholarly journals The use of a rating instrument to teach and assess communication skills of health-care workers in a clinic in the Western Cape

Curationis ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Steyn
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Rating Instrument ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Communication Behaviours ◽  
Improve Health

Research in health communication shows communication to be an important aspect of successful health-care. Moreover, training courses which provide feedback have been shown to improve health professionals’ ability to conduct successful interviews. This article describes a rating instrument which was developed in order to facilitate teaching and assessing the communication aspects of health-care interviews. The instrument was found to be useful in a training programme offered to nursing staff of a TB Clinic in Mitchells Plain, Western Cape. The instrument appears as Table 1. In the Table categories of communication behaviours, each indicating an important aspect of the interaction, are given as the six headings.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Preventive Measures in Keeping Low Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Health Care Workers in a Referral Children’s Hospital in Southern Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-124
Author(s):  
Désirée Caselli ◽  
Daniela Loconsole ◽  
Rita Dario ◽  
Maria Chironna ◽  
Maurizio Aricò
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Children's Hospital ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Children’S Hospital ◽  
Second Wave

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic now represents a major threat to public health. Health care workers (HCW) are exposed to biological risk. Little is currently known about the risk of HCW operating in pediatric wards for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim is to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCW in a third-level children’s hospital in Southern Italy. An observational cohort study of all asymptomatic HCW (physician, technicians, nurses, and logistic and support operators) was conducted. HCW were screened, on a voluntary basis, for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal swab performed during the first wave of COVID-19. The study was then repeated, with the same modalities, at a 7-month interval, during the “second wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the initial screening between 7 and 24 April 2020, 525 HCW were tested. None of them tested positive. At the repeated screening, conducted between 9 and 20 November 2020, 627 HCW were tested, including 61 additional ones resulting from COVID-emergency recruitment. At this second screening, eight subjects (1.3%) tested positive, thus being diagnosed as asymptomatic carriers of SARS-CoV-2. They were one physician, five nurses, and two HCW from the logistic/support services. They were employed in eight different wards/services. In all cases, the epidemiological investigation showed convincing evidence that the infection was acquired through social contacts. The study revealed a very low circulation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCW tested with RT-PCR. All the infections documented in the second wave of epidemic of SARS-CoV-2 were acquired outside of the workplace, confirming that in a pediatric hospital setting, HCW education, correct use of personal protective equipment, and separation of the COVID-patient pathway and staff flow may minimize the risk derived from occupational exposure.

scholarly journals Protecting health care workers: a pandemic simulation based on Allegheny County

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Cooley ◽  
Bruce Y. Lee ◽  
Shawn Brown ◽  
James Cajka ◽  
Bernadette Chasteen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Allegheny County ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Simulation Based

scholarly journals COVID-19 in the Clinic: Aerosol Containment Mask for Endoscopic Otolaryngologic Clinic Procedures

2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982110249
Author(s):  
Elisabeth H. Ference ◽  
Wihan Kim ◽  
John S. Oghalai ◽  
Jee-Hong Kim ◽  
Brian E. Applegate
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Particle Detector ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Suction Pump ◽  
Facial Hair ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Otolaryngologic Clinic ◽  
Bench Testing

Objective To create an aerosol containment mask (ACM) that contains aerosols during common otolaryngologic endoscopic procedures while protecting patients from environmental aerosols. Study Design Bench testing. Setting Mannequin testing. Methods The mask was designed in SolidWorks and 3-dimensional printed. Mannequins were fitted with a nebulizer to generate aerosols. Commercial particle counters were used to measure mask performance. Results The ACM has 2 ports on either side for instruments and endoscopes, a port for a filter, and a port that can evacuate aerosols contained within the mask via a standard suction pump. The mask contained aerosols on a mannequin with and without facial hair when the suction was set to 18.5 L/min. Other types of masks demonstrated substantial aerosol leakage under similar conditions. In a subsequent experiment, the ACM contained aerosols generated by a nebulizer up to the saturation of the particle detector without measurable leakage with or without suction. Conclusion The ACM will accommodate rigid and flexible endoscopes plus instruments and prevent leakage of patient-generated aerosols, thus avoiding contamination of the room and protecting health care workers from airborne contagions. Level of evidence 2.

scholarly journals Impact of Full Vaccination with mRNA BNT162b2 on SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Genomic and Subgenomic Viral RNAs Detection in Nasopharyngeal Swab and Saliva of Health Care Workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1738
Author(s):  
Michela Deiana ◽  
Antonio Mori ◽  
Chiara Piubelli ◽  
Francesca Perandin ◽  
Davide Treggiari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Subgenomic Rna ◽  
Viral Rnas ◽  
Social Settings ◽  
Care Workers

SARS-CoV-2 infection was monitored in 1898 health care workers (HCWs) after receiving full vaccination with BNT162b2. Untill 30 June 2021, 10 HCWs tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 using real time RT-PCR, resulting in a 4-month cumulative incidence of 0.005%. The infection was mildly symptomatic in six (60%) and asymptomatic in four (40%) individuals. Among the infected HCWs, eight consenting individuals provided paired NPS and saliva during the course of infection, for the purpose of the analysis performed in the present study. Genomic and subgenomic viral RNAs were investigated using real-time RT-PCR in both biological specimens. The temporal profile of viral load was measured using ddPCR. Viral mutations were also analysed. Subgenomic viral RNA was detected in 8/8 (100%) NPS and in 6/8 (75%) saliva specimens at the baseline. The expression of subgenomic RNA was observed for up to 7 days in 3/8 (38%) symptomatic cases. Moreover, concordance was observed between NPS and saliva in the detection of viral mutations, and both N501Y and 69/70del (associated with the B.1.1.7 variant) were detected in the majority 6/8 (75%) of subjects, while the K417T mutation (associated with the P.1-type variants) was detected in 2/8 (25%) individuals. Overall, our findings report a low frequency of infected HCWs after full vaccination. It is, therefore, important to monitor the vaccinees in order to identify asymptomatic infected individuals. Saliva can be a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance, particularly in social settings such as hospitals.

Respiratory Protection for Health Care Workers: Simplify Procedures and Improve Health

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Shirley ◽  
◽  
Linda Hawes Clever ◽  
David J. Prezant ◽  
Kerri Rupe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Respiratory Protection ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Improve Health
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