A critical review analysis of the issues arising out of the clinical practice by an infected health care worker

2021 ◽  
pp. 147775092110572
Author(s):  
Raghvendra K Vidua ◽  
Nisha Dubey ◽  
Punit Kumar Agarwal ◽  
Daideepya C Bhargava ◽  
Parthasarathi Pramanik
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Infectious Agent ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Care Worker

The way communicable diseases do spread from one person to another, depending upon the specific disease or causative infectious agent. Out of these diseases, some are incurable and the health care workers during their practice or otherwise acquire such infections and transmit them further to innocent patients who are unaware of about the health status of health care workers. The rights of an infected health care worker and patients are protected by many laws but in case of conflict of interests between the individual right of the health care worker and life of a patient, then obviously by the principle of natural justice, saving the life of a person from such incurable infection gets the privilege. Therefore, there is a lot of ethical and professional dilemma, arising out, in such a type of scenario, irrespective of concealed or disclosed health status and the question mark is raised on whether clinical practice may be allowed in such cases. Some of the studies show the actual but very little risk of transmission from infected health care workers to patients. Therefore, in the current scenario, many western countries such as USA and UK are following different guidelines in this regard but the same is lacking in India. So, this article critically analyses the various issues arising out of it and thereby justifies the need to have a uniform infection control policy in this regard apart from legal and ethical binding on infected health care workers.

scholarly journals A COVID-19 Infection Risk Model for Frontline Health Care Workers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louie Florendo Dy ◽  
Jomar Fajardo Rabajante
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Interaction Time ◽  
Work Shift ◽  
Crowd Density ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Care Worker

AbstractThe number of confirmed COVID-19 cases admitted in hospitals is continuously increasing in the Philippines. Frontline health care workers are faced with imminent risks of getting infected. In this study, we formulate a theoretical model to calculate the risk of being infected in health care facilities considering the following factors: the average number of encounters with a suspected COVID-19 patient per hour; interaction time for each encounter; work shift duration or exposure time; crowd density, which may depend on the amount of space available in a given location; and availability and effectiveness of protective gears and facilities provided for the frontline health care workers. Based on the simulation results, a set of risk assessment criteria is proposed to classify risks as ‘low’, ‘moderate’, or ‘high’. We recommend the following: (i) decrease the rate of patient encounter per frontline health care worker, e.g., maximum of three encounters per hour in a 12-hour work shift duration; (ii) decrease the interaction time between the frontline health care worker and the patients, e.g., less than 40 minutes for the whole day; (iii) increase the clean and safe space for social distancing, e.g., maximum of 10% crowd density, and if possible, implement compartmentalization of patients; and/or (iv) provide effective protective gears and facilities, e.g., 95% effective, that the frontline health care workers can use during their shift. Moreover, the formulated model can be used for other similar scenarios, such as identifying infection risk in public transportation, school classroom settings, offices, and mass gatherings.

scholarly journals Will Universal Access to Antiretroviral Therapy Ever be Possible? The Health Care Worker Challenge

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. e64-e69 ◽  
Author(s):  
André R Maddison ◽  
Walter F Schlech
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Care Worker

The United Nations millennium development goal of providing universal access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for patients living with HIV/AIDS by 2010 is unachievable. Currently, four million people are receiving ART, of an estimated 13.7 million who need it. A major challenge to achieving this goal is the shortage of health care workers in low-income and low-resource areas of the world. Sub-Saharan African countries have 68% of the world’s burden of illness from AIDS, yet have only 3% of health care workers worldwide. The shortage of health care providers is primarily caused by a national and international ‘brain drain,’ poor distribution of health care workers within countries, and health care worker burnout.Even though the millennium development goal to provide universal access to ART will not be met by 2010, it is imperative to continue to build on the momentum created by these humanitarian goals. The present literature review was written with the purpose of attracting research and policy attention toward evidence from small-scale projects in sub-Saharan Africa, which have been successful at increasing access to ART. Specifically, a primary-care model of ART delivery, which focuses on decentralization of services, task shifting and community involvement will be discussed. To improve the health care worker shortage in sub-Saharan Africa, the conventional model of health care delivery must be replaced with an innovative model that utilizes doctors, nurses and community members more effectively.

scholarly journals Meta Analysis on Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Perception towards COVID-19 among Health Care Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-142
Author(s):  
Saraswati Basnet
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Poor Knowledge ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Knowledge And Practice ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Care Worker

 Corona virus that causes illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases, is a newly discovered ribonucleic acid corona virus named 2019-nCoV.SARS-CoV-2. The aim of the meta-analysis is to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, practice and perception towards Covid-19 among health care worker (HCWs) by performing a systematic Meta analysis of related published literature. The Meta analysis was done only on involved sample of at least 327 to 1357 and total 4005 subjects and diverse research design were eligible among the 8 full-text articles. A formal extraction protocol was the PRISMA-P. Most of the HCWs were nurses, doctors and paramedic and females (54.9%). Nearly half (44.4%) were nurses, 36.8% were doctors and only 18.8% were pharmacists & technician. Most of (87.1%) of the health care workers had good knowledge, almost all had positive attitude, 87.4% had positive practice and almost all had positive perception in terms of perception of Covid-19. Similarly less than one forth (12.9%) of health care worker had poor knowledge, less than one forth (12.5%) had poor practice respectively. The studies concluded that almost all of the HCWs had good knowledge, good practice, positive attitude and perception towards covid-19. A few HCWs had poor knowledge and practice, so training program could improve knowledge and practice.

scholarly journals Combating the pandemic of COVID-19 in India: health care worker perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 2797
Author(s):  
Barsha Gadapani Pathak ◽  
Rukman M. Manapurath
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Epidemic Model ◽  
Ventilatory Support ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Care Worker

As the pandemic of COVID-19 intensifies there is a huge burden on the health care system of each country. As predicted by epidemic model, India with 1.3 billion population and only 0.76 doctors per thousand people will have 1 million people affected by COVID-19 needing ventilatory support. This situation focusses on the substantial thrust on health care workers in India while dealing with the pandemic and protection of the health care workers from COVID-19 infection is significant as they are the key-groups in health system to procure win-battle status against COVID-19. Henceforth, after meticulously comparing various countries’ strategies to protect their HCWs this brief study is being prepared and few recommendations has been suggested which may enable the protection of HCWs in India. Un-interrupted supply of appropriate PPE, phenomenon of presenteeism among HCWs, burn-outs among HCWs, front-line department protocol for protection of HCWs, need of constant psycho-analysis among HCWs, stigma in society for HCWs, prophylaxis for HCWs against COVID-19 and HCWs’ family concerns are some of the issues which are being highlighted in this paper.

scholarly journals Persistence and baseline determinants of seropositivity in health care workers up to nine months after COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlota Dobaño ◽  
Anna Ramirez ◽  
Selena Alonso ◽  
Josep Vidal-Alaball ◽  
Gemma Ruiz-Olalla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Primary Health Care Worker ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Antibody Levels ◽  
Care Worker

Abstract We determined the duration and baseline determinants of antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 up to nine months after COVID-19 symptoms onset in 173 primary health care worker patients from Spain. Seropositivity to SARS-CoV-2 spike and RBD antigens was 92.49% (60.69% IgM, 76.3% IgA, 90.17% IgG), with four suspected reinfection cases. Antibody levels significantly correlated with fever, hospitalization, anosmia/hypogeusia, allergies, smoking and occupation, and persisted 149-270 days in this cohort of patients

scholarly journals A Digitally Competent Health Workforce: Scoping Review of Educational Frameworks

10.2196/22706 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. e22706
Author(s):  
Nuraini Nazeha ◽  
Deepali Pavagadhi ◽  
Bhone Myint Kyaw ◽  
Josip Car ◽  
Geronimo Jimenez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Health Training ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Competency Frameworks ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Competency Domains ◽  
Care Worker

Background Digital health technologies can be key to improving health outcomes, provided health care workers are adequately trained to use these technologies. There have been efforts to identify digital competencies for different health care worker groups; however, an overview of these efforts has yet to be consolidated and analyzed. Objective The review aims to identify and study existing digital health competency frameworks for health care workers and provide recommendations for future digital health training initiatives and framework development. Methods A literature search was performed to collate digital health competency frameworks published from 2000. A total of 6 databases including gray literature sources such as OpenGrey, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Google, and websites of relevant associations were searched in November 2019. Screening and data extraction were performed in parallel by the reviewers. The included evidence is narratively described in terms of characteristics, evolution, and structural composition of frameworks. A thematic analysis was also performed to identify common themes across the included frameworks. Results In total, 30 frameworks were included in this review, a majority of which aimed at nurses, originated from high-income countries, were published since 2016, and were developed via literature reviews, followed by expert consultations. The thematic analysis uncovered 28 digital health competency domains across the included frameworks. The most prevalent domains pertained to basic information technology literacy, health information management, digital communication, ethical, legal, or regulatory requirements, and data privacy and security. The Health Information Technology Competencies framework was found to be the most comprehensive framework, as it presented 21 out of the 28 identified domains, had the highest number of competencies, and targeted a wide variety of health care workers. Conclusions Digital health training initiatives should focus on competencies relevant to a particular health care worker group, role, level of seniority, and setting. The findings from this review can inform and guide digital health training initiatives. The most prevalent competency domains identified represent essential interprofessional competencies to be incorporated into health care workers’ training. Digital health frameworks should be regularly updated with novel digital health technologies, be applicable to low- and middle-income countries, and include overlooked health care worker groups such as allied health professionals.

scholarly journals Conversion to Low-Protein, Powder-Free Surgical Gloves: Is it Worth the Cost?

AAOHN Journal ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (9) ◽  
pp. 388-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise M. Komiewicz ◽  
Nantiya Chookaew ◽  
Maher El-Masri ◽  
Kim Mudd ◽  
Mary Elizabeth Bollinger
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Natural Rubber Latex ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Care Worker

This study was conducted to determine changes in overall costs associated with conversion to powder-free gloves including cost of workers' compensation cases for natural rubber latex (NRL)-related symptoms and health care workers' glove satisfaction. The study, a 2–year, longitudinal design with retrospective and prospective aspects, was developed to determine health care worker use of powder-free, low-protein NRL gloves, sensitization, cost, and glove satisfaction. Informed consent was obtained from 103 health care workers. Prior to glove conversion, nearly one-half (44%, 36 of 82) of the operating room staff reported symptoms related to NRL exposure. At the end of the 14–month data collection period, only 27% (22 of 82, McNemar test = .007) reported symptoms related to NRL exposure. Additionally, a cost savings of $10,000 per year for gloves was evident with reports of increased user satisfaction. This study demonstrated that conversion to the use of powder-free, low-protein NRL gloves not only reduces health care worker NRL symptoms, but also positively affects the costs of glove purchases and workers' compensation.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in health care workers, Australia 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna C Rafferty ◽  
Moira C Hewitt ◽  
Rose Wright ◽  
Freya Hogarth ◽  
Nick Coatsworth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Health Care Settings ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Care Worker ◽  
Second Wave

Background Health care workers are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to potential exposure to patients or staff in health care settings. Australian health care services and health care workers experienced intense pressure to prepare for and respond to SARS-CoV-2 infections. We summarise national data on health care worker infections and associated outbreaks during 2020. Methods We collected aggregated data on infected health care workers and outbreaks in health care facilities from all jurisdictions. Health care workers working solely in residential aged care and outbreaks in residential aged care facilities were excluded. Jurisdictions provided data on the number of health care setting outbreaks, confirmed cases, hospitalisation, source of infection, and health care worker role. We analysed data for two periods that aligned with two distinct peaks in the epidemic relative to 1 June 2020, referred to here as the first wave (23 January – 31 May 2020) and the second wave (1 June – 18 September 2020). Results Jurisdictions reported a total of 2,163 health care worker infections with SARS-CoV-2 during the surveillance period. Source of acquisition was known for 81.0% of cases (1,667/2,059). The majority of cases in the first wave were acquired overseas, shifting to locally-acquired cases in the second wave. The odds of infection in the second wave compared to the first wave were higher for nurses/midwives (odds ratio, OR: 1.61; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.32–2.00), lower for medical practitioners (OR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.28–0.47) and did not differ for ‘other’ health care workers (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0. 87–1.32). The odds of infection in the second wave were higher in a health care setting (OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.28–2.41) than in the community. There were 120 outbreaks in health care settings with 1,428 cases, of which 56.7% (809/1,428) were health care workers. The majority (88/120; 73.8%) of outbreaks in health care settings occurred in the second wave of the epidemic, with 90.9% of these (80/88) occurring in Victoria. Conclusions In the second wave of the epidemic, when there was heightened community transmission, health care workers were more likely to be infected in the workplace. Throughout the epidemic, nurses were more likely to be infected than staff in other roles.

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