scholarly journals “Palliative Pandemic Plan,” Triage and Symptoms Algorithm as a Strategy to Decrease Providers’ Exposure, While Trying to Increase Teams Availability and Guidance for Goals of Care (GOC) and Symptoms Control

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 980-984
Author(s):  
Santiago Lopez ◽  
Gene Decastro ◽  
Katlynn M. Van Ogtrop ◽  
Sindee Weiss-Domis ◽  
Samuel R. Anandan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Patient Care Team ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Frontline Staff ◽  
Symptomatic Management ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Provider Shortages

As the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues worldwide, health care systems are facing increased demand with concurrent health care provider shortages. This increase in patient demand and potential for provider shortages is particularly apparent for palliative medicine, where there are already shortages in the provision of this care. In response to the developing pandemic, our Geriatrics and Palliative (GAP) Medicine team formulated a 2-team approach which includes triage algorithms for palliative consults as well as acute symptomatic management for both patients diagnosed with or under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19. These algorithms provided a delineated set of guidelines to triage patients in need of palliative services and included provisions for acute symptoms management and the protection of both the patient care team and the families of patients with COVID-19. These guidelines helped with streamlining care in times of crisis, providing care to those in need, supporting frontline staff with primary-level palliative care, and minimizing the GAP team’s risk of infection and burnout during the rapidly changing pandemic response.

scholarly journals The Impact of the lockdown on ENT services during the COVID-19 Pandemic, a report from the developing world.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kapila Hari ◽  
Shivesh Maharaj
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Outpatient Clinics ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Outpatient Procedures ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The novel coronavirus and accompanying lockdown measures have resulted in the disruption of specialist clinic services. There have been reports of a decrease in the number of clinic attendees and surgical procedures performed in clinics throughout the worldThe study period was from the 2 January 2020 until 19 June 2020 which was divided by the lockdown date of the 26 March 2020, into two periods of 85 days for comparative review.During the pre-lockdown phase (2 January 2020 to 25 March 2020), 2160 patients were booked for the outpatient clinics and 1911 attended in this period (88.5%). In contrast during the post-lockdown period (26 March 2020 to 19 June 2020), 1220 visits were scheduled. Of these, 937 (76.8%) visits were completed. The number of patient visits booked (p=0.01) and completed (0.0001) after lockdown declined significantly. The total number of outpatient procedures performed pre-lockdown was 1892 (0.99/ patient) compared to 937 (1.04/ patient) post-lockdown. This represents an approximate decrease of 50% in the number of procedures completed post-lockdown but the change in the number of procedures/ patient was not significant (p=0.4).During the pre-lockdown phase 228 theatre cases were completed, including 66 emergencies and post-lockdown there were 188 cases together with 48 emergencies. There were no elective cases post-lockdown. The study illustrates that even during a stringent lockdown period there is an ongoing need for specialist ENT services and health care systems need to be tailored to manage all patients such that care is not shifted away from vulnerable groups and solely focused on Covid19 patients.

scholarly journals Positive Therapeutic Role of Some Selected Food and Plant on Covid-19: A Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Mofoluwaso Fasogbon ◽  
Oluwaseun Ademuyiwa ◽  
Oluwaseun Bamidele ◽  
Ibukunoluwa Wahab ◽  
Abimbola Theresa Ola-Adedoyin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Medicinal Foods ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Human Viruses ◽  
Therapeutic Alternatives

With each passing day since December 2019, more cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) infection are being detected and it has spread through all continents of the world except in Antarctica. The virus is transmitted through contact with an infected environment or person, and the symptoms include fever, cough, and then the difficulty in breathing. Health care systems of so many countries are overwhelmed with limited therapeutic options available and no vaccine has yet been approved. Africa also with its poor health care systems could be the worst hit continent if other therapeutic alternatives are not explored. Hence this review looked into the source and origin of the Covid-19 infection and alternative therapeutic option through the use of available and cheap medicinal foods and plants that have been touted to alleviate similar infections. The review findings have likewise demonstrated the inhibitory activities of selected food crops and plants against human viruses similar to the novel Covid-19 virus.

scholarly journals A Comprehensive Study of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Approaches in Confronting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 002073142110174
Author(s):  
Md Mijanur Rahman ◽  
Fatema Khatun ◽  
Ashik Uzzaman ◽  
Sadia Islam Sami ◽  
Md Al-Amin Bhuiyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Machine Learning ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Probabilistic Models ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Comprehensive Study

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread over 219 countries of the globe as a pandemic, creating alarming impacts on health care, socioeconomic environments, and international relationships. The principal objective of the study is to provide the current technological aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) and other relevant technologies and their implications for confronting COVID-19 and preventing the pandemic’s dreadful effects. This article presents AI approaches that have significant contributions in the fields of health care, then highlights and categorizes their applications in confronting COVID-19, such as detection and diagnosis, data analysis and treatment procedures, research and drug development, social control and services, and the prediction of outbreaks. The study addresses the link between the technologies and the epidemics as well as the potential impacts of technology in health care with the introduction of machine learning and natural language processing tools. It is expected that this comprehensive study will support researchers in modeling health care systems and drive further studies in advanced technologies. Finally, we propose future directions in research and conclude that persuasive AI strategies, probabilistic models, and supervised learning are required to tackle future pandemic challenges.

Dancing With Death in the Dust of Coronavirus: The Lived Experience of Iranian Nurses

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. e82-e89
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Bahramnezhad ◽  
Parvaneh Asgari
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Communication Challenges ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as a public health emergency poses dramatic challenges for health-care systems. The experiences of health-care workers are important in planning for future outbreaks of infectious diseases. This study explored the lived experiences of 14 nurses in Tehran, Iran caring for coronavirus patients using an interpretative phenomenological approach as described by Van Manen. In-depth interviews were audio-recorded between March 10 and May 5, 2020. The essence of the nurses' experiences caring for patients with COVID-19 was categorized as three themes and eight subthemes: (a) Strong pressure because of coronavirus: initial fear, loneliness, communication challenges, exhaustion. (b) Turn threats into opportunities: improvement of nursing image, professional development. (c) Nurses' expectations: expectations of people, expectations of government. The findings of this study showed that identifying the challenges and needs of health-care providers is necessary to create a safe health-care system and to prepare nurses and expand their knowledge and attitudes to care for patients in new crises in the future.

scholarly journals Social distancing and dangers of access block to health care services during COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mor Saban ◽  
Tal Shachar
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

An outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that started in Wuhan, China, has spread quickly, with cases confirmed in 180 countries with broad impact on all health care systems. Currently, the absence of a COVID-19 vaccine or any definitive medication has led to increased use of non-pharmaceutical interventions, aimed at reducing contact rates in the population and thereby transmission of the virus, especially social distancing. These social distancing guidelines indirectly create two isolated populations at high-risk: the chronically ill and voluntary isolated persons who had contact with a verified patient or person returning from abroad. In this concept paper we describe the potential risk of these populations leading to an 80% reduction in total Emergency Department (ED) visits, including patients with an acute condition. In conclusion, alternative medical examination solutions so far do not provide adequate response to the at-risk population. The healthcare system must develop and offer complementary solutions that will enable access to health services even during these difficult times.

scholarly journals Diagnostics for COVID-19: A case for field-deployable, rapid molecular tests for community surveillance

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (4s) ◽  
pp. 71-76
Author(s):  
Michael Frimpong ◽  
Yaw A. Amoako ◽  
Kwadwo B. Anim ◽  
Hubert S. Ahor ◽  
Richmond Yeboah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Absolute Number ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Delay In Diagnosis ◽  
Slowing Down ◽  
Molecular Tests ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Across the globe, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is causing distress with governments doing everything in their power to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) to prevent morbidity and mortality. Actions are being implemented to keep health care systems from being overstretched and to curb the outbreak. Any policy responses aimed at slowing down the spread of the virus and mitigating its immediate effects on health care systems require a firm basis of information about the absolute number of currently infected people, growth rates, and locations/hotspots of infections. The only way to obtain this base of information is by conducting numerous tests in a targeted way. Currently, in Ghana, there is a centralized testing approach, that takes 4-5 days for samples to be shipped and tested at central reference laboratories with results communicated to the district, regional and nationalstakeholders. This delay in diagnosis increases the risk of ongoing transmission in communities and vulnerable institutions. We have validated, evaluated and deployed an innovative diagnostic tool on a mobile laboratory platform to accelerate the COVID-19 testing. A preliminary result of 74 samples from COVID-19 suspected cases has a positivity rate of 12% with a turn-around time of fewer than 3 hours from sample taking to reporting of results, significantly reducing the waiting time from days to hours, enabling expedient response by the health system for contact tracing to reduce transmission and additionally improving case management.

scholarly journals Urgent considerations for the neuro-oncologic treatment of patients with gliomas during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 912-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nimish A Mohile ◽  
Jaishri O Blakeley ◽  
Na Tosha N Gatson ◽  
Andreas F Hottinger ◽  
Andrew B Lassman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Ventilator Care ◽  
Oncologic Treatment

Abstract The COVID-19 outbreak is posing unprecedented risks and challenges for all communities and health care systems, worldwide. There are unique considerations for many adult patients with gliomas who are vulnerable to the novel coronavirus due to older age and immunosuppression. As patients with terminal illnesses, they present ethical challenges for centers that may need to ration access to ventilator care due to insufficient critical care capacity. It is urgent for the neuro-oncology community to develop a proactive and coordinated approach to the care of adults with gliomas in order to provide them with the best possible oncologic care while also reducing their risk of viral infection during times of potential health care system failure. In this article, we present an approach developed by an international multidisciplinary group to optimize the care of adults with gliomas during this pandemic. We recommend measures to promote strict physical distancing and minimize exposures for patients, address risk and benefit of all therapeutic interventions, proactively develop end-of-life plans, educate patients and caregivers, and ensure the health of the multidisciplinary neuro-oncology workforce. This pandemic is already changing neuro-oncologic care delivery around the globe. It is important to highlight opportunities to maximize the benefit and minimize the risk of glioma management during this pandemic and potentially, in the future.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic: What Every Otolaryngologist–Head and Neck Surgeon Needs to Know for Safe Airway Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 162 (6) ◽  
pp. 804-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthik Balakrishnan ◽  
Samuel Schechtman ◽  
Norman D. Hogikyan ◽  
Anthony Y. B. Teoh ◽  
Brendan McGrath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Airway Management ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has unfolded with remarkable speed, posing unprecedented challenges for health care systems and society. Otolaryngologists have a special role in responding to this crisis by virtue of expertise in airway management. Against the backdrop of nations struggling to contain the virus’s spread and to manage hospital strain, otolaryngologists must partner with anesthesiologists and front-line health care teams to provide expert services in high-risk situations while reducing transmission. Airway management and airway endoscopy, whether awake or sedated, expose operators to infectious aerosols, posing risks to staff. This commentary provides background on the outbreak, highlights critical considerations around mitigating infectious aerosol contact, and outlines best practices for airway-related clinical decision making during the COVID-19 pandemic. What otolaryngologists need to know and what actions are required are considered alongside the implications of increasing demand for tracheostomy. Approaches to managing the airway are presented, emphasizing safety of patients and the health care team.

Recommendations for the management of headaches during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
pp. 48-50
Author(s):  
Yara Dadalti Fragoso ◽  
Marcelo Calderaro ◽  
Marcio Nattan Portes Souza ◽  
Patrick Emanuell Mesquita Sousa Santos ◽  
Eduardo Nogueira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Primary Headache ◽  
Urgent Care ◽  
Primary Headaches ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Treatment Optimization ◽  
Headache Patient ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Headache Management ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

BackgroundDuring the novel coronavirus - COVID-19 pandemic, health care systems are facing one of its greatest challenges.ResultsSecondary headaches may need urgent care at an emergency department. Primary headaches exacerbations may require intravenous infusion. Treatment optimization is key for a better outpatient management.ConclusionWe give recommendations on when a headache patient should go to the hospital despite the current limited resources, and primary headache management aspects during the outbreak.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in Brazil—Preliminary Analysis of Response Supported by Artificial Intelligence in Municipalities

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo M. P. Morales ◽  
Murilo Guedes ◽  
Jennifer S. Silva ◽  
Adriano Massuda
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Health System ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Source Of Care ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) forced rapid adaptations in the way healthcare is delivered and coordinated by health systems. Brazil has a universal public health system (Sistema Unico de Saúde—SUS), being the main source of care for 75% of the population. Therefore, a saturation of the system was foreseen with the continuous increase of cases. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to empower telehealth could help to tackle this by increasing a coordinated patient access to the health system. In the present study we describe a descriptive case report analyzing the use of Laura Digital Emergency Room—an AI-powered telehealth platform—in three different cities. It was computed around 130,000 interactions made by the chatbot and 24,162 patients completed the digital triage. Almost half (44.8%) of the patients were classified as having mild symptoms, 33.6% were classified as moderate and only 14.2% were classified as severe. The implementation of an AI-powered telehealth to increase accessibility while maintaining safety and leveraging value amid the unprecedent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was feasible in Brazil and may reduce healthcare overload. New efforts to yield sustainability of affordable and scalable solutions are needed to truly leverage value in health care systems, particularly in the context of middle-low-income countries.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document