Telemedicine and COVID-19: Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1580-1584
Author(s):  
Radhika Kulkarni ◽  
Kumar Gaurav Chhabra ◽  
Gargi Nimbulkar ◽  
Amit Reche

To decrease the chance of spread of highly infectious coronavirus disease, the complete lockdown has been taking place in India as well as many other countries of the world. At this difficult time, telehealth can play a major role as it is ideal for the treatment and management of infectious diseases, thus fulfilling the purpose of ‘social distancing’. Telehealth can be beneficial to those who are at higher risk of getting infected and also to the health care providers by decreasing the exposure as well as the workload of health care providers. Telehealth uses computer technology to convey clinical data for diagnosis, treatment as well as management of the disease. Tele-dentistry is telemedicine in dental practice which can also be helpful in the current national emergency. Within the dental practice, teledentistry is widely used in disciplines like preventive dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, periodontal conditions, early dental caries detection, and education. Patients, oral medication and diagnosis. Some of the main modes and methods used in teledentistry are electronic health records, electronic referral systems, image scanning, teleconvention and telediagnosis. All applications used in teledentistry aim to improve efficiency, provide access to an ineligible population, improve quality of care, and reduce the burden of oral disease. This article provides a review of the use of telemedicine and teledentistry in the time of coronavirus disease.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Weldemariam Gebrehiwot ◽  
Mulugeta Woldu Abrha ◽  
Haftom Gebrehiwot Weldearegay

Abstract Background The period around childbirth and the first 24 hours postpartum remains a perilous time for both mother and newborn. Health care providers’ compliance to the World Health Organization modified partogram across the active first stage of labor is a graphic representation of a mother’s condition that is used as a guide in providing quality obstetrics care. However, little evidence is documented on the health providers’ adherence to the use of the partograph in Ethiopia, which limits health care providers’ ability to improve quality care services. Therefore, this study assessed the adherence of partograph use and associated factors in Ethiopia. Methods Data from the Ethiopian 2016 National Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care survey of 3,804 health facilities that provided maternity services were used. We extracted 2611 partograph charts over a 12 months period prior to the survey to review the proper recording of each component. Data analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.0 software. A logistic regression analyses was used to identify the association of explanatory variables with the outcome variable. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as cut off point to declare the significance association in the multivariable analysis. Results Of the total 2611 partographs reviewed, 561(21.5%) of them were fully recorded as per the WHO guideline. Particularly, molding in 50%, color of liquor in 70.5%, fetal heart beat in 93.3%, cervical dilation in 89.6%, descent in 63.2%, uterine contraction in 94.5%, blood pressure in 80.5%, pulse rate in 70.5%, and temperature in 53% were accurately recorded. The odds of adherence to partograph use were 1.4 in rural health facilities when compared to their counterparts (AOR=1.44; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.80, P- 0.002). Conclusion This study revealed a poor level of adherence in partograph use in Ethiopia. Molding, maternal temperature and decent were the least recorded parameters of the partograph. The odds of completion of partograph were high in rural facilities. Strong supporting supervision and mentoring the health workers to better record and use of partograph are needed mainly in urban health facilities. Moreover in the future, interventional research should be conducted to improve the current rate of adherence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 41-48
Author(s):  
Behzad Mostoufi ◽  
Zack Ashkenazie ◽  
Jamaad Abdi ◽  
Elizabeth Chen ◽  
Louis G. DePaola

The aim of this article was to provide evidence-based information for the oral health-care providers to better understand the COVID-19 disease and be prepared to treat their patients. The impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has been unprecedented, especially in health care. Overwhelming amount of information flooded the literature to the point that dentists and specialists alike might feel more confused than knowledgeable, which can make decision-making a challenge. Dental community is no stranger to infection control and to treat patients with highly infectious diseases. With careful planning, modifications, and sound clinical judgment, it is certainly feasible to provide routine care to the patients during the pandemic and serve the community. Negative pressure ventilation operatories and/or air purifiers are good addition to contain the droplet transmitted diseases including COVID-19. It is of particular importance for health-care providers to take appropriate measures to minimize the risk of infection to their patients, themselves, and other members of the dental team.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-59
Author(s):  
Mumtahana Nabi ◽  
Abul Masud Md Nurul Karim ◽  
SM Mamun Ur Rashid

Background: Oral health care in pregnancy is often neglected by women and is also not appropriately addressed by prenatal and other health care providers and justify appropriate attention. The purpose of this cross sectional study was to describe percentage of oral disease occurrence and underlying causes in this sample of pregnant women. Methods: The study included 147 women aged between 15 to 49 years receiving prenatal care at the outdoor department of Azimpur Maternal and Child Health Training Institute in Dhaka, Bangladesh were invited to participate in this study from January 2013 to April 2013. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. Clinical exam data were recorded using validated scales in a special form. Results: Majority (72%) of the women were  between  20 to 24 years.  57%  had secondary  school  education.  88% of the women were unemployed and 52% women had very low family income of BOT s;10000. More than 90% of the women had good oral hygiene practices. However, 68% liked to  have  sugary  snacks  or  drinks  in  between  main meals, 7% visited their dentists during pregnancy , only 3% received advice  for  routine  oral  health  screening  from their prenatal care providers and only 4% women started their antenatal check-up during first trimester.  All  these negative influences might expose expecting mothers to high level of dental caries (54%), dental  erosion  (52%),  gingivitis (100%) and periodontitis (27%). This study also showed that majority of the women acquired oral health information through watching television (61%) or reading  newspaper  (12%)  while  only  4%  received  information from doctors/dent ists throughout their lifetime. Conclusion: The undertaken research highlighted the importance of using media in modifying Bangladeshi pregnant woman's behaviours toward oral health. It also emphasizes the need for inclusion of oral health preventive programme as part of pre and postnatal care. Further study in this area on a large scale will facilitate formulation of appropriate oral health policy to achieve satisfactory oral and general health outcomes during pregnancy and ensure optimum oral health conditions of their offspring. JOPSOM 2020; 39(1): 50-59


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-345
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Morris

AbstractDisaster in Washington State (USA) is inevitable. It is incumbent on health care providers to understand the practice environment as it will be affected by disasters. This means understanding the basic concepts of emergency management, local to national emergency response structure, and the risks and vulnerabilities of the region where one works. This understanding will help health care providers anticipate and prepare for disaster response and recovery. Washington State has many unique features with regard to climate and geography, population, public health, and general infrastructure that create significant vulnerabilities to disaster and strengths with regard to potential response and recovery. This report attempts to define and contextualize emergency management and to condense the extensive research and planning that has been conducted in Washington State surrounding disaster assessment, planning, mitigation, and response from a health care providerʼs prospective. The aim is to increase awareness of and preparation for disaster-related topics among health care providers by creating informed responders.


1999 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-203
Author(s):  
Kendra Carlson

The Supreme Court of California held, in Delaney v. Baker, 82 Cal. Rptr. 2d 610 (1999), that the heightened remedies available under the Elder Abuse Act (Act), Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code, §§ 15657,15657.2 (West 1998), apply to health care providers who engage in reckless neglect of an elder adult. The court interpreted two sections of the Act: (1) section 15657, which provides for enhanced remedies for reckless neglect; and (2) section 15657.2, which limits recovery for actions based on “professional negligence.” The court held that reckless neglect is distinct from professional negligence and therefore the restrictions on remedies against health care providers for professional negligence are inapplicable.Kay Delaney sued Meadowood, a skilled nursing facility (SNF), after a resident, her mother, died. Evidence at trial indicated that Rose Wallien, the decedent, was left lying in her own urine and feces for extended periods of time and had stage I11 and IV pressure sores on her ankles, feet, and buttocks at the time of her death.


Author(s):  
Pauline A. Mashima

Important initiatives in health care include (a) improving access to services for disadvantaged populations, (b) providing equal access for individuals with limited or non-English proficiency, and (c) ensuring cultural competence of health-care providers to facilitate effective services for individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, 2001). This article provides a brief overview of the use of technology by speech-language pathologists and audiologists to extend their services to underserved populations who live in remote geographic areas, or when cultural and linguistic differences impact service delivery.


2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
Lynn Chatfield ◽  
Sandra Christos ◽  
Michael McGregor

In a changing economy and a changing industry, health care providers need to complete thorough, comprehensive, and efficient assessments that provide both an accurate depiction of the patient's deficits and a blueprint to the path of treatment for older adults. Through standardized testing and observations as well as the goals and evidenced-based treatment plans we have devised, health care providers can maximize outcomes and the functional levels of patients. In this article, we review an interdisciplinary assessment that involves speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and respiratory therapy to work with older adults in health care settings. Using the approach, we will examine the benefits of collaboration between disciplines, an interdisciplinary screening process, and the importance of sharing information from comprehensive discipline-specific evaluations. We also will discuss the importance of having an understanding of the varied scopes of practice, the utilization of outcome measurement tools, and a patient-centered assessment approach to care.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document