A Novel Uni-directional Flow Circular Facility Layout for Effective Social Distancing

2021 ◽  
pp. 097226292098485
Author(s):  
Sini V. Pillai
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Facility Layout ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Hospital Facility ◽  
Unidirectional Flow ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Functional Layout

Hospitals have a complex infrastructure with a wide range of functional units of medical services. A well-designed facility layout planning is essential for the smooth functioning as well as to provide safe and convenient services to patients at the right time. A functional layout is suggested to optimize time and resources in the process of service delivery, reducing the challenges of patients and healthcare professionals involved in patient care. This article focuses on developing a new facility functional layout that promotes convenience, comfort and economy with enhanced quality of medical care. A pathway of patient movement is effectively designed for better health outcomes, especially when there is a huge inflow of patients seeking information about the choice of healthcare facilities and subsequent medical attention. A circular hospital facility layout with unidirectional flow is proposed, which will effectively prevent face-to-face movement of incoming and outgoing patients and their bystanders, thereby preventing spread of diseases or infection and speed up the service delivery process. The authors believe that the proposed layout will substantially improve quality, service and speed of medical procedures, though the initial investment might be higher for implementing this layout. This study is of paramount importance in maintaining social distancing at hospitals as it prevents chaotic movement of patients and more specifically total avoidance of face-to-face situations between incoming and outgoing patients.

scholarly journals Queue Management during Health Pandemics: A Queuing Theory Perspective

2020 ◽  
pp. 18-26
Author(s):  
Yakubu Abdul-Wahab Nawusu ◽  
Abukari Abdul Aziz Danaa ◽  
Shiraz Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Queuing Theory ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Optimal Number ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Queue Management ◽  
Healthcare Provision ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Impact

The era of coronavirus has called for sustained social distancing measures to minimize the spread of the viral disease. Healthcare establishments are reducing the size of their working staff; while others are running their outfits base on shift work in other to ensure protocols for social distancing.  Inherent in social distancing protocol is the potential for generating waiting lines at service delivery points. Healthcare centres in many countries are already inundated with loads of patient’s attendance on daily basis for treatment off mild to severe ailments. COVID-19 has added a further burden on the already frail health systems. Whiles visits are increasing, social distancing measures are to be ensured. Quick service delivery which is an indispensable need of patients visiting hospitals for treatment is shortened. The occurrence of waiting line, an impediment to healthcare provision has become commonplace in most healthcare centres in Ghana in particular. In addition to loss of financial gains, delay and unsatisfactory healthcare could lead to loss of lives. Health units are dealing with the effective management of staff schedules to curtail the impact of COVID-19 and at the same time cover up capacity to meet the added health care delivery demands. Accordingly, efforts to reduce time spent in waiting to receive medical attention is crucial. In this paper we study the queue situation at a case Outpatient Department (OPD) by applying query theory and offer recommendations for queue management. The study was conducted in the month of May 2020. We present also, an approach to determine the optimal number of service windows required to reduce the time spent waiting for healthcare attention. Numerical analysis of the queuing situation at the case department is given also, drawing from relevant equations from queuing theory.

scholarly journals Unidirectional Pedestrian Circulation: Physical Distancing in Informal Settlements

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Fernandez Gonzalez ◽  
Ankit Gongal
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Method ◽  
Graph Theory ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Oriented Graphs ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World ◽  
Cost Efficient

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a wide range of spatial interventions to slow down the spread of the virus. The spatial limitations of narrow public circulation spaces within informal settlements, which house over one billion people around the world, make it impossible for pedestrians to practice physical distancing (or social distancing). In this paper, we propose a flexible mathematical method, named the Cluster Lane Method, for turning a planar circulation network of any size or complexity into a network of unidirectional lanes, making physical distancing possible in narrow circulation spaces by limiting face-to-face interactions. New notions and theorems about oriented graphs in graph theory are introduced. The paper ends with a discussion of the potential implementation of this cost-efficient, low-tech, sustainable solution, and with the introduction of a novel unidirectional tactile paving for the visually impaired.

Reading Beyond the Code

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Relevance Theory ◽  
Literary Studies ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Human Communication ◽  
Communicative Acts ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Code Model ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Central Claim

This book explores the value for literary studies of relevance theory, an inferential approach to communication in which the expression and recognition of intentions plays a major role. Drawing on a wide range of examples from lyric poetry and the novel, nine of the ten chapters are written by literary specialists and use relevance theory both as an overall framework and as a resource for detailed analysis. The final chapter, written by the co-founder of relevance theory, reviews the issues addressed by the volume and explores their implications for cognitive theories of how communicative acts are interpreted in context. Originally designed to explain how people understand each other in everyday face-to-face exchanges, relevance theory—described in an early review by a literary scholar as ‘the makings of a radically new theory of communication, the first since Aristotle’s’—sheds light on the whole spectrum of human modes of communication, including literature in the broadest sense. Reading Beyond the Code is unique in using relevance theory as a prime resource for literary study, and is also the first to apply the model to a range of phenomena widely seen as supporting an ‘embodied’ conception of cognition and language where sensorimotor processes play a key role. This broadened perspective serves to enhance the value for literary studies of the central claim of relevance theory: that the ‘code model’ is fundamentally inadequate to account for human communication, and in particular for the modes of communication that are proper to literature.

scholarly journals Risk factors for severity on admission and the disease progression during hospitalisation in a large cohort of patients with COVID-19 in Japan

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e047007
Author(s):  
Mari Terada ◽  
Hiroshi Ohtsu ◽  
Sho Saito ◽  
Kayoko Hayakawa ◽  
Shinya Tsuzuki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Chronic Respiratory Disease ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Obesity Hypertension

ObjectivesTo investigate the risk factors contributing to severity on admission. Additionally, risk factors of worst severity and fatality were studied. Moreover, factors were compared based on three points: early severity, worst severity and fatality.DesignAn observational cohort study using data entered in a Japan nationwide COVID-19 inpatient registry, COVIREGI-JP.SettingAs of 28 September 2020, 10480 cases from 802 facilities have been registered. Participating facilities cover a wide range of hospitals where patients with COVID-19 are admitted in Japan.ParticipantsParticipants who had a positive test result on any applicable SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests were admitted to participating healthcare facilities. A total of 3829 cases were identified from 16 January to 31 May 2020, of which 3376 cases were included in this study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome was severe or nonsevere on admission, determined by the requirement of mechanical ventilation or oxygen therapy, SpO2 or respiratory rate. Secondary outcome was the worst severity during hospitalisation, judged by the requirement of oxygen and/orinvasive mechanical ventilation/extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.ResultsRisk factors for severity on admission were older age, men, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Cerebrovascular disease, liver disease, renal disease or dialysis, solid tumour and hyperlipidaemia did not influence severity on admission; however, it influenced worst severity. Fatality rates for obesity, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia were relatively lower.ConclusionsThis study segregated the comorbidities influencing severity and death. It is possible that risk factors for severity on admission, worst severity and fatality are not consistent and may be propelled by different factors. Specifically, while hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and obesity had major effect on worst severity, their impact was mild on fatality in the Japanese population. Some studies contradict our results; therefore, detailed analyses, considering in-hospital treatments, are needed for validation.Trial registration numberUMIN000039873. https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000045453

scholarly journals Resilient Research in the Field: Insights and Lessons From Adapting Qualitative Research Projects During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 160940692110161
Author(s):  
Syahirah Abdul Rahman ◽  
Lauren Tuckerman ◽  
Tim Vorley ◽  
Cristian Gherhes
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Qualitative Research Methods ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Building Resilience ◽  
Digital Methods

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the implementation of unprecedented social distancing measures, restricting social interaction and with it the possibility for conducting face-to-face qualitative research. This paper provides lessons from a series of qualitative research projects that were adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure their continuation and completion. By reflecting on our experiences and discussing the opportunities and challenges presented by crises to the use of a number of qualitative research methods, we provide a series of insights and lessons for proactively building resilience into the qualitative research process. We show that reflexivity, responsiveness, adaptability, and flexibility ensured continuity in the research projects and highlighted distinct advantages to using digital methods, providing lessons beyond the COVID-19 context. The paper concludes with reflections on research resilience and adaptation during crises.

scholarly journals Effects of self-management education programmes on self-efficacy for osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisuke Uritani ◽  
Hitoshi Koda ◽  
Sho Sugita
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trials ◽  
Management Education ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Enhancing self-efficacy to manage symptoms and functions is an important aspect of self-management for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Many reports have investigated the effects of self-management education programmes for arthritis patients. However, a study that exclusively focuses on patients with OA in the same joints is required to clarify the effects of self-management programmes because individuals with knee OA experience physical and psychological difficulties different from those experienced by individuals with other arthritis diseases. Furthermore, previous studies have reported a wide range of delivery styles of self-management education programmes. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of group-based and face-to-face self-management education programmes conducted by health professionals targeting self-efficacy for knee OA exclusively. Methods The MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PEDro databases were searched to identify quantitative measures used in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effects of self-management education programmes targeting self-efficacy in patients with knee OA. We included studies in which medical professional-delivered self-management education programmes were conducted in a group-based and face-to-face manner in community or outpatient settings. Results Seven RCTs from five countries were included in this review. Our retrieved studies included various types of self-management education programmes such as cognitive behavioural counselling, pain management education, physical education, weight management education, and arthritis self-efficacy management education, and control arms. They assessed various aspects of self-efficacy, including pain, physical function, arthritis symptoms excluding pain, weight management, mobility, and self-regulation. The total score of the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale was also measured. Some studies have reported beneficial effects of group-based and face-to-face self-management education programmes on self-efficacy for management of pain and other symptoms and for self-regulatory, knee OA. However, the results of the included studies were varied and inconsistent. Conclusions The current review only included seven studies, and there was a wide range of clinical heterogeneity among these studies. Thus, the effects of group-based and face-to-face self-management education programmes conducted by health professionals on self-efficacy for knee OA exclusively are inconclusive to date. Therefore, high-quality studies are required to provide significant information on clinicians, patients, and healthcare professionals in the future.

scholarly journals Harnessing SmartPhones to Personalize Nutrition in a Time of Global Pandemic

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 422
Author(s):  
Niv Zmora ◽  
Eran Elinav
Keyword(s):  
Modern Technology ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Nutritional Interventions ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Healthy Nutrition ◽  
Food Diaries ◽  
Physical Interactions

The soar in COVID-19 cases around the globe has forced many to adapt to social distancing and self-isolation. In order to reduce contact with healthcare facilities and other patients, the CDC has advocated the use of telemedicine, i.e., electronic information and telecommunication technology. While these changes may disrupt normal behaviors and routines and induce anxiety, resulting in decreased vigilance to healthy diet and physical activity and reluctance to seek medical attention, they may just as well be circumvented using modern technology. Indeed, as the beginning of the pandemic a plethora of alternatives to conventional physical interactions were introduced. In this Perspective, we portray the role of SmartPhone applications (apps) in monitoring healthy nutrition, from their basic functionality as food diaries required for simple decision-making and nutritional interventions, through more advanced purposes, such as multi-dimensional data-mining and development of machine learning algorithms. Finally, we will delineate the emerging field of personalized nutrition and introduce pioneering technologies and concepts yet to be incorporated in SmartPhone-based dietary surveillance.

scholarly journals Hospital Construction Cost Affecting Their Lifecycle: An Italian Overview

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 888
Author(s):  
Leopoldo Sdino ◽  
Andrea Brambilla ◽  
Marta Dell’Ovo ◽  
Benedetta Sdino ◽  
Stefano Capolongo
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Construction Cost ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Quality Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Early Design Stage ◽  
Hospital Facility ◽  
Italian Context ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Components

The need for 24/7 operation, and the increasing requests of high-quality healthcare services contribute to framing healthcare facilities as a complex topic, also due to the changing and challenging environment and huge impact on the community. Due to its complexity, it is difficult to properly estimate the construction cost in a preliminary phase where easy-to-use parameters are often necessary. Therefore, this paper aims to provide an overview of the issue with reference to the Italian context and proposes an estimation framework for analyzing hospital facilities’ construction cost. First, contributions from literature reviews and 14 case studies were analyzed to identify specific cost components. Then, a questionnaire was administered to construction companies and experts in the field to obtain data coming from practical and real cases. The results obtained from all of the contributions are an overview of the construction cost components. Starting from the data collected and analyzed, a preliminary estimation tool is proposed to identify the minimum and maximum variation in the cost when programming the construction of a hospital, starting from the feasibility phase or the early design stage. The framework involves different factors, such as the number of beds, complexity, typology, localization, technology degree and the type of maintenance and management techniques. This study explores the several elements that compose the cost of a hospital facility and highlights future developments including maintenance and management costs during hospital facilities’ lifecycle.

Assessing the Preparedness of Healthcare Facilities for Disasters and Emergencies in Damghan, Iran

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Behrad Pourmohammadi ◽  
Ahad Heydari ◽  
Farin Fatemi ◽  
Ali Modarresi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives: Iran is exposed to a wide range of natural and man-made hazards. Health-care facilities can play a significant role in providing life-saving measures in the minutes and hours immediately following the impact or exposure. The aim of this study was to determine the preparedness of health-care facilities in disasters and emergencies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Damghan, Semnan Province, in 2019. The samples consisted of all the 11 health-care facilities located in Damghan County. A developed checklist was used to collect the data, including 272 questions in 4 sections: understanding threatening hazards, functional, structural, and nonstructural vulnerability of health-care facilities. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21. Results: The results revealed that the health-care facilities were exposed to 22 different natural and man-made hazards throughout the county. The total level of preparedness of the health-care centers under assessment was 45.8%. The average functional, structural, and nonstructural vulnerability was assessed at 49.3%, 31.6%, and 56.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Conducting mitigation measures is necessary for promoting the functional and structural preparedness. Disaster educational programs and exercises are recommended among the health staff in health-care facilities.

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