scholarly journals Preventing the Spread: A Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Journey to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) During the 2020 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 107327482110171
Author(s):  
Stephanie Carraway ◽  
Stacy Martin ◽  
John N. Greene
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Background: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) a pandemic. Hospitals around the world began to implement infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to stop further spread and prevent infections within their facilities. Healthcare organizations were challenged to develop response plans, procure personal protective equipment (PPE) that was in limited supply while continuing to provide quality, safe care. Methods: As a comprehensive cancer center with immunocompromised patients, our efforts began immediately. Preventative measures were established and, as of September 2020, over 14,000 patients have been tested within the facility. From March 2020 through September 2020, only one case of hospital acquired (HA) COVID-19 was identified among our patients. Two cases of suspected community acquired (SCA) cases were also identified. Following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, IPC measures were implemented within the facility as information science about the virus developed. This article addresses the IPC measures taken, such as enhancing isolation precautions, implementing screening protocols, disinfecting and reusing N95 respirators, by the center throughout the pandemic as well as the challenges that arouse with a new and emerging infectious disease. Conclusions: The infection control measures implemented at our comprehensive cancer center during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed our center to continue to provide world class cancer care with minimal COVID-19 infection transmission among patients and team members.

scholarly journals Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Emerging and Future Challenges for Dental and Oral Medicine

2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 481-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Meng ◽  
F. Hua ◽  
Z. Bian
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Dental Practitioners ◽  
The World ◽  
Essential Knowledge ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization

The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), originating in Wuhan, China, has become a major public health challenge for not only China but also countries around the world. The World Health Organization announced that the outbreaks of the novel coronavirus have constituted a public health emergency of international concern. As of February 26, 2020, COVID-19 has been recognized in 34 countries, with a total of 80,239 laboratory-confirmed cases and 2,700 deaths. Infection control measures are necessary to prevent the virus from further spreading and to help control the epidemic situation. Due to the characteristics of dental settings, the risk of cross infection can be high between patients and dental practitioners. For dental practices and hospitals in areas that are (potentially) affected with COVID-19, strict and effective infection control protocols are urgently needed. This article, based on our experience and relevant guidelines and research, introduces essential knowledge about COVID-19 and nosocomial infection in dental settings and provides recommended management protocols for dental practitioners and students in (potentially) affected areas.

scholarly journals Anaesthesia Department Preparedness and Response for the COVID-19 Outbreak in Portugal: A Perspective from CUF Porto Hospital

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Figueiredo ◽  
Ana Leão ◽  
Carlos Moreno ◽  
Marcelo Fernandes ◽  
Angel Hernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Anaesthetic Management ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Engineering Controls ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
The World ◽  
Anaesthesia Department ◽  
Health Organization

A global health emergency has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak spread across the world. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at risk for developing respiratory failure and requiring admission to critical care units. While providing optimal treatment for these patients, careful execution of infection control measures is necessary to prevent nosocomial transmission to other patients and to health workers providing care.1 In the operating room, these preparations involve multiple stakeholders and can present a significant challenge. Here we described the measures for the outbreak adopted by the anesthesia department of a private tertiary care level hospital in Porto. These include engineering controls such as: identification and preparation of an isolation operating rooms, administrative measures such as: modification of workflow and processes, introduction of personal protective equipment, and formulation of clinical guidelines for anaesthetic management. We discuss how the hierarchy of controls should be a framework to plan, the necessary measures during each phase of a pandemic, and review the evidence of the procedures taken. [...]

scholarly journals A review of the management and safe handling of bodies in cases involving COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smitha Rani
Keyword(s):  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Causative Organism ◽  
The World ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
And Control

Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, China, reported a cluster of cases of ‘pneumonia of unknown aetiology’ in Wuhan, Hubei province in late 2019. The causative organism was eventually identified as a novel coronavirus. Subsequently, the disease spread to more provinces in China, then the rest of the world, and the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. The virus was named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease was termed COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease). Since then, an increasing number of people have succumbed to this infectious disease. High contagiousness and rapid spread of the disease has been a matter of concern, as it may overburden healthcare systems. Hence, it is vital to implement strict infection prevention and control measures to curb the spread of the disease. This article reviews the guidelines available for the handling of bodies of deceased persons with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, and for their safe disposal. It also provides a summary of recommendations for conducting autopsies in cases where COVID-19 is suspected.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic and the Crisis of Health Systems: The Experience of the Apulia Cancer Network and of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II” of Bari

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 2763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Silvestris ◽  
Antonio Moschetta ◽  
Angelo Paradiso ◽  
Antonio Delvino
Keyword(s):  
Southern Italy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
New Disease ◽  
The World ◽  
Care Models ◽  
Novel Virus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Cancer Network

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a new disease caused by a novel virus characterized by rapid human-to-human transmission and named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronoavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) a pandemic. In terms of this ongoing international scenario, we report the situation in Apulia, a region of southern Italy that, as of April 2, has not yet been overwhelmed by this health emergency. In particular, we consider the care models that have been adopted, especially those that manage the requests of cancer patients.

Characterizing the effectiveness of COVID-19 mitigation measures: A data-centric approach (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukman Olagoke ◽  
Ahmet E. Topcu
Keyword(s):  
Control Measure ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
The World ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND COVID-19 represents a serious threat to both national health and economic systems. To curb this pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a series of COVID-19 public safety guidelines. Different countries around the world initiated different measures in line with the WHO guidelines to mitigate and investigate the spread of COVID-19 in their territories. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of these control measures using a data-centric approach. METHODS We begin with a simple text analysis of coronavirus-related articles and show that reports on similar outbreaks in the past strongly proposed similar control measures. This reaffirms the fact that these control measures are in order. Subsequently, we propose a simple performance statistic that quantifies general performance and performance under the different measures that were initiated. A density based clustering of based on performance statistic was carried out to group countries based on performance. RESULTS The performance statistic helps evaluate quantitatively the impact of COVID-19 control measures. Countries tend show variability in performance under different control measures. The performance statistic has negative correlation with cases of death which is a useful characteristics for COVID-19 control measure performance analysis. A web-based time-line visualization that enables comparison of performances and cases across continents and subregions is presented. CONCLUSIONS The performance metric is relevant for the analysis of the impact of COVID-19 control measures. This can help caregivers and policymakers identify effective control measures and reduce cases of death due to COVID-19. The interactive web visualizer provides easily digested and quick feedback to augment decision-making processes in the COVID-19 response measures evaluation. CLINICALTRIAL Not Applicable

scholarly journals Investigating the effectiveness of re-opening policies before vaccination during a pandemic: SD modelling research based on COVID-19 in Wuhan

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Qian ◽  
Wei Xie ◽  
Jidi Zhao ◽  
Ming Xue ◽  
Shiyong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Model Simulation ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Medical Resources ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels

Abstract Background Lockdown policies were widely adopted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to control the spread of the virus before vaccines became available. These policies had significant economic impacts and caused social disruptions. Early re-opening is preferable, but it introduces the risk of a resurgence of the epidemic. Although the World Health Organization has outlined criteria for re-opening, decisions on re-opening are mainly based on epidemiologic criteria. To date, the effectiveness of re-opening policies remains unclear. Methods A system dynamics COVID-19 model, SEIHR(Q), was constructed by integrating infection prevention and control measures implemented in Wuhan into the classic SEIR epidemiological model and was validated with real-world data. The input data were obtained from official websites and the published literature. Results The simulation results showed that track-and-trace measures had significant effects on the level of risk associated with re-opening. In the case of Wuhan, where comprehensive contact tracing was implemented, there would have been almost no risk associated with re-opening. With partial contact tracing, re-opening would have led to a minor second wave of the epidemic. However, if only limited contact tracing had been implemented, a more severe second outbreak of the epidemic would have occurred, overwhelming the available medical resources. If the ability to implement a track-trace-quarantine policy is fixed, the epidemiological criteria need to be further taken into account. The model simulation revealed different levels of risk associated with re-opening under different levels of track-and-trace ability and various epidemiological criteria. A matrix was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of the re-opening policies. Conclusions The SEIHR(Q) model designed in this study can quantify the impact of various re-opening policies on the spread of COVID-19. Integrating epidemiologic criteria, the contact tracing policy, and medical resources, the model simulation predicts whether the re-opening policy is likely to lead to a further outbreak of the epidemic and provides evidence-based support for decisions regarding safe re-opening during an ongoing epidemic. Keyords COVID-19; Risk of re-opening; Effectiveness of re-opening policies; IPC measures; SD modelling.

Expert Second Opinion Pathology Review of Lymphoma in the Era of the World Health Organization Classification.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 3317-3317
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Matasar ◽  
Weiji Shi ◽  
Jonathan Silberstien ◽  
Julie T. Feldstein ◽  
Daniel Filippa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Who Classification ◽  
Second Opinion ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Major Revision ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Pathology Review

Abstract Background: The effective management of lymphoma depends upon an accurate and precise pathologic diagnosis. However, the classification of lymphoma continues to evolve. Reports addressing the role of second opinion expert pathology review have found varying impact, and little is known regarding the predictors of a change in diagnosis. Furthermore, the impact of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lymphomas over the 5 years following their formal publication has not been formally assessed. Methods: All outside pathology is reviewed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) before a clinical opinion is finalized. We performed a chart review of all externally referred lymphoma cases from 1/1/01 to 6/30/01 and from 1/1/06 to 6/30/06 with second opinions from MSKCC hematopathology. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for univariate analysis and logistic regression for multivariate analysis. Results: 719 patients (365 in 2001, 354 in 2006) met inclusion criteria. Diagnostic revisions were classified as major or minor; major changes were those that would lead to management changes as per National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. 122 patients (18% in 2001, 16% in 2006) had a major diagnostic revision and an additional 22 (4% in 2001, 2% in 2006) had confirmation of major revisions rendered previously at second opinion from another National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC). This did not change significantly by era, with 79 major revisions (22%) in 2001 and 65 (18%) in 2006 (P=NS). An additional 55 patients [24 (7%) in 2001, 31 (9%) in 2006] received minor revisions. Common categories of major revision included changing from nondiagnostic/ambiguous to definitive [6 in 2001, 8 in 2006], definitive to nondiagnostic [9 in 2001, 9 in 2006], malignant to benign [1 in 2001, 6 in 2006], indolent B-cell lymphoma (BCL) to aggressive BCL [15 in 2001, 8 in 2006], and aggressive BCL to indolent BCL [4 in 2001, 1 in 2006]. Major diagnostic revision was significantly associated with additional immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing in 2001 (OR=2.3; 95%CI 1.3, 4). In 2006, additional IHC (OR=1.8; 95%CI 1, 3.4), repeat biopsy (OR=3.1; 95%CI 1.2, 8.0), and skin biopsy (versus lymph node biopsy; OR 3.3; 95%CI 1.6, 7.0) were significantly associated with major revision. Two of the 7 patients reclassified as benign received revisions based on additional IHC, whereas 7 of the 14 patients reclassified as malignant were revised due to either additional IHC (4) or repeat biopsy (3). No effect was seen by biopsy type, nor were patient gender, age, race or ethnicity associated with odds of major revision. Of cases seen first at another CCC, 12% in 2001 and 16% in 2006 received major revisions, compared to 19% (2001) and 16% (2006) of other cases; these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The rate of clinically meaningful diagnostic revisions at second opinion expert pathology review was high for patients seen at MSKCC, and remained so despite five years of increased familiarity with the WHO classification schema. These data confirm the fact that an appropriate evaluation, including detailed IHC and an adequate biopsy specimen, plays a central role in the accurate diagnosis of lymphoma. The high rates of diagnostic revision reported here lend support to the routine application of expert second opinion hematopathology review.

scholarly journals Visual Data Analysis and Simulation Prediction for COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia Using SEIR Prediction Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (08) ◽  
pp. 154
Author(s):  
Shakir Khan
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Future Trend ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Seir Model ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

<p>The World Health Organization (WHO) reported the COVID-19 epidemic a global health emergency on January 30 and confirmed its transformation into a pandemic on March 11. China has been the hardest hit since the virus's outbreak, which may date back to late November. Saudi Arabia realized the danger of the Coronavirus in March 2020, took the initiative to take a set of pre-emptive decisions that preceded many countries of the world, and worked to harness all capabilities to confront the outbreak of the epidemic. Several researchers are currently using various mathematical and machine learning-based prediction models to estimate this pandemic's future trend. In this work, the SEIR model was applied to predict the epidemic situation in Saudi Arabia and evaluate the effectiveness of some epidemic control measures, and finally, providing some advice on preventive measures.</p>

scholarly journals Clinical Application of Interferon-γ Release Assays for the Prevention of Tuberculosis in Countries with Low Incidence

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Lange ◽  
Anna M. Mandalakas ◽  
Barbara Kalsdorf ◽  
Claudia M. Denkinger ◽  
Martina Sester
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
World Health ◽  
Preventive Chemotherapy ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
Health Organization

Despite global efforts to control tuberculosis (TB) the estimated number of people who developed TB worldwide increased to an all-time record of more than 10 million in 2015. The goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce the global incidence of TB to less than 100 cases per million by 2035, cannot be reached unless TB prevention is markedly improved. There is a need for an improved vaccine that better protects individuals who are exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis from infection and active disease compared to the current M. bovis Bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG) vaccine. In the absence of such a vaccine, prevention relies on infection control measures and preventive chemotherapy for people with latent infection with M. tuberculosis (LTBI), who have the highest risk of progression to active TB. During the past decade, interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) have increasingly replaced the tuberculin skin test as screening tools for the diagnosis of LTBI in countries with a low incidence of TB. Despite recent WHO guidelines on the management of LTBI, the definition of groups at risk for TB remains controversial, and the role of IGRAs for TB prevention in low-incidence countries remains uncertain. We reviewed the scientific literature and provide recommendations for the use of IGRAs for LTBI diagnosis in low-incidence countries. These recommendations are based on the number of patients needing treatment in order to prevent one case of TB. As the positive predictive value of IGRAs for the development of TB is sub-optimal, research must focus on the identification of alternative biomarkers that offer better predictive ability in order to substantially reduce the number needing treatment while improving the prevention of TB and improving the effectiveness of targeted preventive chemotherapy.

scholarly journals Developing a theory-based behavior change intervention to improve the prescription of surgical prophylaxis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Leena Lohiniva ◽  
Iman Heweidy ◽  
Samiha Abdu ◽  
Abouelata Omar ◽  
Caroline Ackley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Theoretical Domains Framework ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Surgical Prophylaxis ◽  
Prescription Practices ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Context Specific

Abstract Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly pervasive due to multiple, complex prescribing and consuming behaviours. Accordingly, behaviour change is an important component of response to AMR. Little is known about the best approaches to change antibiotic use practices and behaviours. Aim: This project aims to develop a context-specific behaviour change strategy focusing on promoting appropriate prescription practices following the World Health Organization recommendations for surgical prophylaxis. in an orthopaedic surgery unit in Egypt. Methods: The project included a formative qualitative research study was based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and an intervention that was developed to following the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) in a knowledge co-production workshop that ensured that the theory based intervention was a culturally acceptable, practical and implementable intervention. Results: The prescription of surgical prophylaxis was influenced by five TDF domains including, knowledge, belief in consequences (mistrust towards infection prevention and control measures), environmental factors (lack of prescription guidelines) , professional role and reinforcement (a lack of appropriate follow up actions influenced prescription of surgical prophylaxis). The appropriate set of behaviour change functions of BCW and related activities to improve the current practices included education, enablement, persuasion, environmental restructuring and restriction. Conclusions: The study showed that a theory based and context specific intervention can be created by using the TDF and BCW together with knowledge-co creation to improve the prescription of surgical prophylaxis in and Egyptian orthopaedic unit. The intervention need to piloted and scaled up.

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