scholarly journals IVF laboratory COVID-19 pandemic response plan: a roadmap

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadi Choucair ◽  
Nagham Younis ◽  
Alia Hourani
Keyword(s):  
Main Body ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Preparedness Plan ◽  
Response Plan ◽  
Pandemic Response

Abstract Background The potential of COVID-19 severe pandemic necessitates the development of an organized and well-reasoned plan for the management of embryology/andrology laboratories while safeguarding the wellbeing of patients and IVF staff. Main body A COVID-19 pandemic response plan was proposed for embryology and andrology laboratories for pre-pandemic preparedness and pandemic management in anticipation of a possible second coronavirus wave. Preparation involves many plans and logistics before a pandemic risk rises. Many operational changes can be considered during the pandemic. This plan includes logistical arrangements, reducing labor needs, conserving supplies, and protective measures for embryologists and gametes/embryos. Conclusion The unpredictable emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic dictates the need for a preparedness plan for embryology/andrology laboratories, which includes an action-oriented plan to secure the safety of all stakeholders.

scholarly journals 66. What Worked (And Didn’t Work): A Survey of COVID-19 Response in Michigan Nursing Homes in the Midst of the Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S164-S165
Author(s):  
Julia Mantey ◽  
Karen Jones ◽  
Payal K Patel ◽  
Jennifer Meddings ◽  
Lona Mody
Keyword(s):  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Pandemic Planning ◽  
Similar Survey ◽  
Response Plan ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Communication Lines ◽  
Pandemic Wave

Abstract Background Nursing home (NH) populations are at higher risk for morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19. A March 2020 NH survey indicated improvements in pandemic planning when compared to a similar survey in 2007. We surveyed NHs to evaluate how well pandemic preparedness plans and infection prevention strategies met the reality of COVID-19. Methods The first COVID-19 case in Michigan was reported March 10, 2020. In the setting of 46,088 cases and 4,327 deaths statewide as of May 1, we disseminated an online survey to state department-registered NHs to describe their experience of the initial pandemic wave. Responses were collected May 1–12, during which the state averaged 585 cases/day. We were particularly interested in NH preparedness, challenges, testing capacity, and adaptations made. Results Of 452 NHs contacted, 145 opened the survey and 143 (32%) responded. A majority (68%) indicated that their facility’s pandemic response plan addressed > 90% of issues they experienced; 29% reported their plan addressed most but not all anticipated concerns (Table 1). As the pandemic evolved, all facilities (100%) provided additional staff education on proper personal protective equipment (PPE) use. 66% reported experiencing shortages of PPE and other supplies. Half of all facilities (50%) lacked sufficient resources to test asymptomatic residents or staff; only 36% were able to test all residents and staff with suspected COVID-19 infection. Half (52%) considered their communication regarding COVID-19 with nearby hospitals “very good.” The majority of facilities (55%) experienced staffing shortages, often relying on remaining staff to work additional hours and/or contracted staff to fill deficits (Table 2). NH staff resignations increased, with 63% of NHs experiencing resignations; staff with greater bedside contact were more likely to leave, including nurses and nurse assistants. Conclusion While most NHs had a plan to respond to COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, many facilities experienced a lack of available resources, less than ideal communication lines with local hospitals, lack of testing capacity and insufficient staff. These shortcomings indicate potential high-yield areas of improvement in pandemic preparedness in the NH setting. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

A comprehensive IVF laboratory pandemic response plan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
MEFS embryology SIG
Keyword(s):  
Biological Materials ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Response Plan ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Rational Plan

The potential of a severe pandemic necessitates the development of an organized, rational plan for the operation of embryology/andrology laboratories without the compromise of the safety of personnel and gametes/embryos. A comprehensive pandemic response plan was proposed for embryology and andrology laboratories for prepandemic preparedness, reduction or hibernation of procedures and return to normal function. Preparation involves many plans and logistics before a pandemic risk rises. Many operational changes can be considered based on the severity and duration of the pandemic. This plan includes logistical arrangements, reducing labor needs, conserving supplies, protective measures for embryologists and biological materials.

scholarly journals A comprehensive IVF laboratory COVID-19 pandemic response plan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
MEFS emrbyology SIG ◽  
Fadi Choucair ◽  
Nagham Younis ◽  
Alia Hourani
Keyword(s):  
Biological Materials ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Response Plan ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Rational Plan

The potential of a severe pandemic necessitates the development of an organized, rational plan for the operation of embryology/andrology laboratories without the compromise of the safety of personnel and gametes/embryos. A comprehensive pandemic response plan was proposed for embryology and andrology laboratories for prepandemic preparedness, reduction or hibernation of procedures and return to normal function. Preparation involves many plans and logistics before a pandemic risk rises. Many operational changes can be considered based on the severity and duration of the pandemic. This plan includes logistical arrangements, reducing labor needs, conserving supplies, protective measures for embryologists and biological materials.

Laboratory Animal Research Centre (Larc) “A Specific Pathogen Free Rodent Facility” - Covid – 19 Pandemic Response Plan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muralitharan Shanmugakonar ◽  
Vijay Kanth Govindharajan ◽  
Kavitha Varadharajan ◽  
Hamda Al-Naemi
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Animal ◽  
Animal Research ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Functional Requirement ◽  
Specific Pathogen Free ◽  
Specific Pathogen ◽  
Response Plan ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Operational Plan

Laboratory Animal Research Centre (LARC) has developed an early emergency operational plan for COVID-19 pandemic situation. Biosafety and biosecurity measures were planned and implemented ahead of time to check the functional requirement to prevent the infection. Identified necessary support for IT, transport, procurement, finance, admin and research to make the operations remotely and successfully.

scholarly journals Emergency Management Missing from the Pandemic?

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 149-150
Author(s):  
Attila J. Hertelendy, PhD ◽  
William L. Waugh, Jr., PhD
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Emergency Management ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
The United States ◽  
First Year ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
White House ◽  
Pandemic Response

The change in presidential administrations in the United States promises new approaches to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The first year of the pandemic response in the United States has been characterized by a lack of national leadership. Moreover, the message from the White House Coronavirus Task Force has been muddled at best. There have been great inconsistencies in how the States have chosen to address spreading infections and increased stress on individual Americans who are trying to protect themselves and their families. The same pattern can be found with the distribution of vaccines and management of vaccinations. Politics has often conflicted with public health concerns. The States have been left to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to medical personnel and first responders and to formulate their own guidance for protective measures.

scholarly journals Segmentation and shielding of the most vulnerable members of the population as elements of an exit strategy from COVID-19 lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 376 (1829) ◽  
pp. 20200275
Author(s):  
Bram A. D. van Bunnik ◽  
Alex L. K. Morgan ◽  
Paul R. Bessell ◽  
Giles Calder-Gerver ◽  
Feifei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Transmission Rates ◽  
Population Immunity ◽  
Contact Matrix ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Future Policy ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Second Wave

This study demonstrates that an adoption of a segmenting and shielding strategy could increase the scope to partially exit COVID-19 lockdown while limiting the risk of an overwhelming second wave of infection. We illustrate this using a mathematical model that segments the vulnerable population and their closest contacts, the ‘shielders’. Effects of extending the duration of lockdown and faster or slower transition to post-lockdown conditions and, most importantly, the trade-off between increased protection of the vulnerable segment and fewer restrictions on the general population are explored. Our study shows that the most important determinants of outcome are: (i) post-lockdown transmission rates within the general and between the general and vulnerable segments; (ii) fractions of the population in the vulnerable and shielder segments; (iii) adherence to protective measures; and (iv) build-up of population immunity. Additionally, we found that effective measures in the shielder segment, e.g. intensive routine screening, allow further relaxations in the general population. We find that the outcome of any future policy is strongly influenced by the contact matrix between segments and the relationships between physical distancing measures and transmission rates. This strategy has potential applications for any infectious disease for which there are defined proportions of the population who cannot be treated or who are at risk of severe outcomes. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Modelling that shaped the early COVID-19 pandemic response in the UK’.

scholarly journals A pandemic treaty, revised international health regulations, or both?

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Labonté ◽  
Mary Wiktorowicz ◽  
Corinne Packer ◽  
Arne Ruckert ◽  
Kumanan Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Health ◽  
Global South ◽  
World Health ◽  
Main Body ◽  
International Health Regulations ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Member States ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Vaccine Distribution ◽  
Health Regulations

Abstract Background A special session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) will be convened in late 2021 to consider developing a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response – a so-called ‘Pandemic Treaty’. Consideration is given to this treaty as well as to reform of the International Health Regulations (IHR) as our principal governing instrument to prevent and mitigate future pandemics. Main body Reasons exist to continue to work with the IHR as our principal governing instrument to prevent and mitigate future pandemics. All WHO member states are party to it. It gives the WHO the authority to oversee the collection of surveillance data and to issue recommendations on trade and travel advisories to control the spread of infectious diseases, among other things. However, the limitations of the IHR in addressing the deep prevention of future pandemics also must be recognized. These include a lack of a regulatory framework to prevent zoonotic spillovers. More advanced multi-sectoral measures are also needed. At the same time, a pandemic treaty would have potential benefits and drawbacks as well. It would be a means of addressing the gross inequity in global vaccine distribution and other gaps in the IHR, but it would also need more involvement at the negotiation table of countries in the Global South, significant funding, and likely many years to adopt. Conclusions Reform of the IHR should be undertaken while engaging with WHO member states (and notably those from the Global South) in discussions on the possible benefits, drawbacks and scope of a new pandemic treaty. Both options are not mutually exclusive.

scholarly journals “Virtual Interdisciplinary COVID-19 Team”: A Hospital Pandemic Preparedness Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. e190-e190
Author(s):  
Abdullah Balkhair, ◽  
Mahmoud Al Jufaili ◽  
Khalifa Al Wahaibi ◽  
Dawood Al Riyami ◽  
Faisal Al Azri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Systems ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Preparedness Plan ◽  
Systematic Application ◽  
Hospital Readiness

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to move at record speed. Health systems and hospitals worldwide face unprecedented challenges to effectively prepare and respond to this extraordinary health crisis and anticipated surge. Hospitals should confront these unparalleled challenges with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, coordinated, and organized strategy. We report our experience with the systematic application of the “4S” principle to guide our institutional preparedness plan for COVID-19. We used an innovative “virtual interdisciplinary COVID-19 team” approach to consolidate our hospital readiness.

Conceptional considerations for a German influenza pandemic preparedness plan

2002 ◽  
Vol 191 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Fock ◽  
H. Bergmann ◽  
H. Bussmann ◽  
G. Fell ◽  
E.-J. Finke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Preparedness Plan ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness Plan
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