How to Manage the COVID-19 Diffusion in the Angiography Suite: Experiences and Results of an Italian Interventional Radiology Unit

Introduction: The management of the diffusion of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents a massive problem for healthcare systems worldwide and Interventional Radiology (IR) is a fundamental hospital unit which must continue to provide its service. The aim of this article is to summarize the preventive measures taken in our IR unit and to report the results of these measures over a 7 weeks period. Material and Methods: Between the 25th of February, when we started to apply the recommended containing measures, and the 6th of April 2020, when all the IR staff started to undergo nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs screening, a total of 25 healthcare operators worked at our IR unit. Operators who, during this period, also worked in other hospital units such as diagnostic emergency department or other healthcare facilities, were excluded. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs screening and blood samples for specific SARS-CoV-2 IgG-IgM were retrospectively evaluated. Results: The overall procedures number decreased by a rate of 33% and twenty-three (16%) were performed in confirmed or strongly suspected COVID-19 patients. Two procedures were performed in non-suspected ones, who revealed positive in the following hospitalization days. Seventeen operators were included in the study. Only one of them resulted positive at the swabs, with an estimated infection rate in our IR unit of 6%. Specific SARS-CoV-2 IgG-IgM resulted negative in all the operators included. Conclusion: Our experience demonstrates that applying adequate measures to limit SARS-CoV-2 infection spread can efficiently reduce the viral transmission among IR healthcare workers.

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Isolation of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia from Clinical Samples in Some Hospitals in Shiraz, Iran

Clinical and Experimental Investigations ◽

10.31487/j.cei.2020.03.01 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Majid Baserisalehi ◽

Samira Zarezadeh ◽

Majid Baserisalehi ◽

Saeed Shoa

Keyword(s):

Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia ◽

Enterobacter Aerogenes ◽

Late Summer ◽

Early Spring ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Bacillus Species ◽

Microbiological Analysis ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Phenotypic Methods

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging pathogenic non-fermentative Gram-negative Bacillus species. It has caused many nosocomial infections and can be isolated from various hospital wards and healthcare facilities. Research has shown that most of its strains are inherently resistant to many antibiotics and have multidrug resistance. This research intended to determine its occurrence frequency at some Hospitals in shiraz, Iran. The present study was conducted in six months (from early spring to late summer 2019). Clinical samples (Blood, Urine and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)) collected from 120 patients afflicted with various infections. The samples were transferred to the Laboratory and subjected to microbiological analysis. Identification of the isolates was carried out by phenotypic methods and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates verified using molecular methods. In total, various bacteria were isolated from 84 clinical samples. The isolates were Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was isolated from 17 (20.2%) positive samples and most of them were isolated from blood samples. Our finding indicated that Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolated more from blood samples follow by CSF sample. In addition, our finding illustrated that Stenotrophomonas maltophilia can be considered as the common nosocomial agent at hospitals in Shiraz, Iran.

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Afro-Communitarianism and the Role of Traditional African Healers in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Public Health Ethics ◽

10.1093/phe/phab006 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Luís Cordeiro-Rodrigues ◽

Thaddeus Metz

Keyword(s):

Cultural Capital ◽

Cultural Context ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Healthcare Systems ◽

Traditional Healers ◽

Local Communities ◽

Special Role ◽

Ethical Perspective ◽

The Face

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, and in Africa, given the lack of resources, they are likely to be even more acute. The usefulness of Traditional African Healers in helping to mitigate the effects of pandemic has been neglected. We argue from an ethical perspective that these healers can and should have an important role in informing and guiding local communities in Africa on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Particularly, we argue not only that much of the philosophy underlying Traditional African Medicine is adequate and compatible with preventive measures for COVID-19, but also that Traditional African Healers have some unique cultural capital for influencing and enforcing such preventive measures. The paper therefore suggests that not only given the cultural context of Africa where Traditional African Healers have a special role, but also because of the normative strength of the Afro-communitarian philosophy that informs it, there are good ethical reasons to endorse policies that involve Traditional Healers in the fight against COVID-19. We also maintain that concerns about Traditional African Healers objectionably violating patient confidentiality or being paternalistic are much weaker in the face of COVID-19.

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‘The nurse did not even greet me’: how informed versus non-informed patients evaluate health systems responsiveness in South Africa

BMJ Global Health ◽

10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004360 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. e004360

Author(s):

Dumisani MacDonald Hompashe ◽

Ulf-G Gerdtham ◽

Carmen S Christian ◽

Anja Smith ◽

Ronelle Burger

Keyword(s):

Health Systems ◽

Primary Healthcare ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Quality Care ◽

Public Healthcare ◽

Health Coverage ◽

Access To Health Services ◽

Healthcare Provision ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Patients Experience

Introduction Universal Health Coverage is not only about access to health services but also about access to high-quality care, since poor experiences may deter patients from accessing care. Evidence shows that quality of care drives health outcomes, yet little is known about non-clinical dimensions of care, and patients’ experience thereof relative to satisfaction with visits. This paper investigates the role of non-clinical dimensions of care in patient satisfaction. Methods Our study describes the interactions of informed and non-informed patients with primary healthcare workers at 39 public healthcare facilities in two metropolitan centres in two South African provinces. Our analysis included 1357 interactions using standardised patients (for informed patients) and patients’ exit interviews (for non-informed patients). The data were combined for three types of visits: contraception, hypertension and tuberculosis. We describe how satisfaction with care was related to patients’ experiences of non-clinical dimensions. Results We show that when real patients (RPs) reported being satisfied (vs dissatisfied) with a visit, it was associated with a 30% increase in the probability that a patient is greeted at the facilities. Likewise, when the RPs reported being satisfied (vs dissatisfied) with the visit, it was correlated with a 15% increase in the prospect that patients are pleased with healthcare workers’ explanations of health conditions. Conclusion Informed patients are better equipped to assess health-systems responsiveness in healthcare provision. Insights into responsiveness could guide broader efforts aimed at targeted education and empowerment of primary healthcare users to strengthen health systems and shape expectations for appropriate care and conduct.

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Registration of Blood Exposure Accidents in the Netherlands by a Nationally Operating Call Center

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1086/667728 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 33 (10) ◽

pp. 1017-1023

Author(s):

Peter M. Schneeberger ◽

Annemarie E. Meiberg ◽

Janet Warmelts ◽

Sander C. A. P. Leenders ◽

Paul T. L. van Wijk

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Call Center ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Hepatitis B Vaccination ◽

Occupational Health Services ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Call Center Employees

Objective.Healthcare providers and other employees, especially those who do not work in a hospital, may not easily find help after the occurrence of a blood exposure accident. In 2006, a national call center was established in the Netherlands to fill this gap.Methods.All occupational blood exposure accidents reported to the 24-hours-per-day, 7-days-per-week call center from 2007, 2008, and 2009 were analyzed retrospectively for incidence rates, risk assessment, handling, and preventive measures taken.Results.A total of 2,927 accidents were reported. The highest incidence rates were reported for private clinics and hospitals (68.5 and 54.3 accidents per 1,000 person-years, respectively). Dental practices started reporting incidents frequently after the arrangement of a collective financial agreement with the call center. Employees of ambulance services, midwife practices, and private clinics reported mostly high-risk accidents, whereas penitentiaries frequently reported low-risk accidents. Employees in mental healthcare facilities, private clinics, and midwife practices reported accidents relatively late. The extent of hepatitis B vaccination in mental healthcare facilities, penitentiaries, occupational health services, and cleaning services was low (<70%).Conclusions.The national call center successfully organized the national registration and handling of blood exposure accidents. The risk of blood exposure accidents could be estimated on the basis of this information for several occupational branches. Targeted preventive measures for healthcare providers and other employees at risk can next be developed.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2012;33(10):1017-1023

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Healthcare workers’ compliance and its potential determinants to prevent COVID-19 in public hospitals in Western Ethiopia

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-021-06149-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Werku Etafa ◽

Gosa Gadisa ◽

Shibiru Jabessa ◽

Tagay Takele

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Associated ◽

Staff Commitment ◽

Western Ethiopia

Abstract Background Globally, Coronavirus disease-19 has created unprecedented challenges to public health. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of COVID-19 because of their profession. There are limited studies conducted in Ethiopia among HCWs regarding their compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures. Therefore, this study intended to assess HCWs’ compliance with measures to prevent COVID-19, and its potential determinants in public hospitals in Western Ethiopia. Methods A self-administered, multicenter hospital-based cross-sectional survey was proposed to 422 randomly selected HCWs working in seven public hospitals in Western Ethiopia identified as COVID-19 referral centers. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Binary logistic regression was used to identify potential determinants of outcome variables at p-value < 0.05. Results Out of 422 completed questionnaires, the overall HCWs’ compliance with COVID-19 prevention is 22% (n = 404). In multivariate regression analysis, factors such as spending most of caring time at bedside (AOR = 1.94, 95%CI, 1.06–3.55), receiving training on infection prevention/COVID-19 (AOR = 1.86, 95%CI, 1.04–3.33), reading materials on COVID-19 (AOR = 2.04, 95%CI, 1.14–3.63) and having support from hospital management (AOR = 2.09, 95%CI, 1.20–3.64) were found to be significantly associated with COVID-19 preventive measures. Furthermore, inadequate supplies of appropriate personal protective equipment (83.2%), insufficient supportive medications (78.5%), and lack of provision of adequate ventilation (77.7%) were the barriers to COVID-19 prevention most frequently mentioned by participants. Conclusion Our findings highlight HCWs’ poor compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures. Providing information and refreshing training to improve the level of healthcare workers’ adherence with COVID-19 prevention is as imperative as increasing staff commitment to supply resources necessary to protect HCWs and to reduce healthcare-associated infections transmission of SARS-COV-2.

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Facing COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Hospital in Milan: Prevalence of Burnout in Nursing Staff Working in Sub-Intensive Care Units

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18136684 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (13) ◽

pp. 6684

Author(s):

Alberto Bisesti ◽

Andrea Mallardo ◽

Simone Gambazza ◽

Filippo Binda ◽

Alessandro Galazzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care ◽

Respiratory Failure ◽

Intensive Care Units ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Personal Accomplishment ◽

Preventive Strategies ◽

Common Condition ◽

Hospital Units

In early March 2020, Italy became the epicenter of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Europe. A different organization of hospital units was required to take care of patients affected by acute respiratory failure caused by COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of burnout in two sub-intensive care units (SICUs) of the COVID-19 hub center of the Lombardia region in Milan (Italy). All nurses and healthcare assistants working in the SICUs during June 2020 were included in the study. Burnout was assessed via the Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire. One hundred and five (84%) SICU staff participated in the study. The prevalence of high burnout for nurses and healthcare assistants was 61.9% for emotional exhaustion, 47.6% for depersonalization and 34.3% for personal accomplishment. Depersonalization was significantly more frequent in younger nurses (p = 0.009). Nurses were 4.5 times more likely to have burnout than healthcare assistants. Burnout was a common condition among healthcare workers operating in SICUs during the pandemic. Urgent actions are needed, especially for nurses, as well as preventive strategies for future pandemic scenarios.

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Well-Being of Healthcare Workers and the General Public during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam: An Online Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094737 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4737

Author(s):

Tuyen Dinh Hoang ◽

Robert Colebunders ◽

Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽

Nhan Phuc Thanh Nguyen ◽

Trung Dinh Tran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Large Scale ◽

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Health Sector ◽

Well Being ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽

The Mean ◽

Restrictive Measures

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictive measures implemented may considerably affect people’s lives. This study aimed to assess the well-being of Vietnamese people after COVID-19 lockdown measures were lifted and life gradually returned to normal. An online survey was organized from 21 to 25 April 2020 among Vietnamese residents aged 18 and over. The survey was launched by the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. The WHO-5 Well-Being Index (scored 0–25) was used to score participants’ well-being. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the predictors of well-being. A total of 1922 responses were analyzed (mean age: 31 years; 30.5% male; 88.2% health professionals or students in the health sector). The mean well-being score was 17.35 ± 4.97. Determinants of a high well-being score (≥13) included older age, eating healthy food, practicing physical exercise, working from home, and adhering to the COVID-19 preventive measures. Female participants, persons worried about their relatives’ health, and smokers were more likely to have a low well-being score. In conclusion, after the lockdown measures were lifted, the Vietnamese have people continued to follow COVID-19 preventive measures, and most of them scored high on the well-being scale. Waiting to achieve large-scale COVID-19 vaccine coverage, promoting preventive COVID-19 measures remains important, together with strategies to guarantee the well-being of the Vietnamese people.

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Barriers to Physical Distancing among Healthcare Workers on an Academic Hospital Unit During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2021.154 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-26

Author(s):

Sara C. Keller ◽

Sara Pau ◽

Alejandra B. Salinas ◽

Opeyemi Oladapo-Shittu ◽

Sara E. Cosgrove ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Peer Leaders ◽

Human Factors Engineering ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Hospital Unit ◽

Positive Behaviors ◽

Cognitive Aids ◽

Close Proximity

Abstract Background: Physical distancing among healthcare workers (HCW) is an essential strategy in preventing HCW-to-HCW transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Objective: To understand barriers to physical distancing among HCW on an inpatient unit and identify strategies for improvement. Design: Qualitative study including observations and semi-structured interviews over three months. Setting: A non-COVID adult general medical unit in an academic tertiary hospital. Participants: HCWs based on the unit. Methods: We performed a qualitative study in which we (1) observed HCWs activities and proximity to each other on the unit during weekday shifts July-October 2020 and (2) conducted semi-structured interviews of HCWs to understand their experiences with and perspectives of physical distancing in the hospital. Qualitative data were coded based on a human factors engineering model. Results: We completed 25 hours of observations and 20 HCW interviews. High-risk interactions often occurred during handoffs of care at shift changes and patient rounds, where HCWs gathered regularly in close proximity for at least 15 minutes. Identified barriers included spacing and availability of computers, the need to communicate confidential patient information, and the desire to maintain relationships at work. Conclusions: Physical distancing can be improved in hospitals by restructuring computer workstations, work rooms, and breakrooms; applying visible cognitive aids; adapting shift times; and supporting rounds and meetings with virtual conferencing. Additional strategies to promote staff adherence to physical distancing include rewarding positive behaviors, having peer leaders model physical distancing, and encouraging additional safe avenues for social connection at a safe distance.

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COVID-19 Pandemic: An Inhibitor of Universal Health Coverage Programme: A ViewPoint

African Journal of Health, Nursing and Midwifery ◽

10.52589/ajhnm-p2ax15ul ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (5) ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Helen Idubamo Wankasi

Keyword(s):

Universal Health Coverage ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

Health Coverage ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Effective Governance ◽

Development Goals ◽

Frontline Healthcare Workers ◽

Universal Health

Ever since the re-emergence of Covid-19 as a pandemic, healthcare facilities (human and materials) have been overstressed, evidenced by the rate at which frontline healthcare workers fall sick and die in the course. In some healthcare institutions, the narrative has changed with regards to the number of days to access physicians for treatment, but selected and booked only on specific days and periods, except in extreme emergencies are able to access physicians un-booked. This is inconsistent with the intent of Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. This paper, therefore, highlighted the objectives, covering a brief overview of COVID-19 and Universal Health Coverage; identified countries developed (Germany 1883) and emerging (South Africa/Nigeria) that have adopted Universal Health Coverage as well described how COVID-19 stands as an inhibitor to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage. At the tail end, recommendations are made on the way forward on the need for effective governance, manpower sourcing and general strengthening of the healthcare system.

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Risk Factors for Occupational Transmission of Tuberculosis among Healthcare Workers in Zambia

International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health ◽

10.9734/ijtdh/2020/v41i1130335 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 59-65

Author(s):

Namaunga Kasumu Chisompola ◽

Kapambwe Mwape Kamanga ◽

Pipina Vlahakis Matafwali

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Critical Role ◽

Nosocomial Transmission ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Original Research ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Prolonged Contact ◽

And Control

Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a critical role in the management and control of nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis (TB). At the same time, working in TB healthcare facilities such as hospital wards, diagnostic and treatment facilities increases the risk of acquiring TB due to occupational exposure in HCWs. The risk is further heightened in high TB prevalence populations, such as Zambia, as HCWs are exposed both occupationally and in the community. This review aims to provide a better understanding of the risk factors associated with occupational transmission of TB in HCWs in Zambia, by synthesising available data on TB in HCWs in Zambia and the surrounding region. A search of peer reviewed original research on the transmission of TB among HCWs in Zambia was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar. Studies were eligible for inclusion in the analysis if they described TB amongst HCWs in Zambia, risk factors for TB in HCWs, and nosocomial transmission of TB in Zambia and the surrounding region. The prevalence of TB in HCWs has been demonstrated to be higher than that of the general population. Transmission of TB in healthcare facilities is driven by several factors centred on the lack of adherence to TB infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. Nosocomial transmission of TB in HCWs is further driven by the HIV epidemic and the rise in lifestyle diseases such as diabetes mellitus. However, there is very scarce data on the association of diabetes mellitus and TB among HCWs in Zambia. Prolonged contact with TB patients on wards has been demonstrated to play a vital role in occupational transmission of TB amongst nurses in Zambia. To curb the transmission of TB in HCWs several measures will require implementation such as; administrative support, IPC training and annual TB and HIV screening for all HCWs.

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