scholarly journals New Surgical Practice During COVID 19

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (05) ◽  
pp. 614-618
Author(s):  
Mohammad Sohail Asghar ◽  
Hafiz Syed Zaigham Ali Shah ◽  
Hamna Khan ◽  
Aima Zahid ◽  
Hammad Zia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Medical Teams ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Spread Of Infection ◽  
Transmission Of Disease

A sequence of pneumonia-causing diseases from the Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) appeared in Wuhan, Hubei, China in December 2019. The outbreak of COVID-19 spread quite rapidly. Just as we write this report, almost two and a half million verified cases were reported globally, and almost 180,000 people died.1 Experience from China reveals that COVID-19 outbreaks can be brought under control within 3 months, with highly efficient touch tracking and case isolation.2 Healthcare staff are at the forefront of treatment for COVID-19 cases and have a very large chance of exposure to the infection.3 Cuts in disposable gear and COVID-19 awareness are triggering infections in healthcare workers.4 As of February 11, 2020, China has contaminated more than 1,700 health-care workers. In Italy, 2026 (9 percent) of the COVID-19 incidents happened in healthcare professionals (as of March 15).5 But, 31 medical teams containing more than 42,000 nurses and doctors sent by the Hubei from other provinces did not have a reported infection. It indicates that sufficient information about the transmission of disease and the use of protective equipment and procedures to manage infections is necessary to avoid the spread of infection among health care staff.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers at a cancer care centre

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atika Dogra ◽  
Anuj Parkash ◽  
Anurag Mehta ◽  
Meenu Bhatia
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Front Line Workers ◽  
Severity Of The Disease ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Spread Of Infection ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe services of front-line health care workers (HCWs) have been paramount in the management of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Health care professionals have been at high occupational risk of getting disease and even dying of the disease, however; they have been the subject of very limited studies in terms of COVID-19. The objectives of this study are to examine the incidence and the impact of COVID-19 infection among HCWs in terms of recovery, productivity, quality of life (QOL) and post-COVID complications.Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective, questionnaire based study including demographic details, workplace characteristics, symptoms, source/ spread of infection, details of recovery and the consequences of COVID-19 comprising impaired productivity/ QOL, post-COVID-19 complications and others. The data were analyzed by using IBM SPSS software (Version 23, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).Results and ConclusionsOut of a total of 1482 employees, 18.3% (271) were laboratory confirmed to have contracted novel contagion during the study period of 5 months. The median age at diagnosis was 29 (range, 21-62) years. Front-line workers and female workers were the most infected personnel with COVID-19. Flu-like symptoms were the most frequently experienced symptoms. The median time for recovery was 20 (range, 2-150) days. The relationship between pre-existing comorbidities and age was highly significant. The QOL and productivity were associated with pre-existing comorbidities, severity of the disease, time for recovery and post-COVID syndrome. More than a half (51.8%) of all HCWs had suffered from post-COVID complications. There was no fatality reported due to COVID-19. The post-COVID complications were related to pre-existing comorbidities, severity of disease, time for recovery and status of recovery. Further research to explore the consequences of COVID-19 is warranted. The general public needs to be aware of symptoms and management of the post-COVID syndrome.

scholarly journals Breastfeeding in COVID-19: A Pragmatic Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (13) ◽  
pp. 1377-1384
Author(s):  
Yvonne Peng Mei Ng ◽  
Yi Fen Low ◽  
Xin Lei Goh ◽  
Doris Fok ◽  
Zubair Amin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Joint Decision ◽  
Skin Contact ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in changes to perinatal and neonatal care, concentrating on minimizing risks of transmission to the newborn and health care staff while ensuring medical care is not compromised for both mother and infant. Current recommendations on infant care and feeding when mother has COVID-19 ranges from mother–infant separation and avoidance of human milk feeding, to initiation of early skin-to-skin contact and direct breastfeeding. Health care providers fearing risks of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) maternal–infant transmission may veer toward restricted breastfeeding practices. We reviewed guidelines and published literature and propose three options for infant feeding depending on various scenarios. Option A involves direct breastfeeding with the infant being cared for by the mother or caregiver. In option B, the infant is cared for by another caregiver and receives mother's expressed milk. In the third option, the infant is not breastfed directly and does not receive mother's expressed milk. We recommend joint decision making by parents and the health care team. This decision is also flexible as situation changes. We also provide a framework for counseling mothers on these options using a visual aid and a corresponding structured training program for health care providers. Future research questions are also proposed. We conclude that evidence and knowledge about COVID-19 and breastfeeding are still evolving. Our options can provide a quick and flexible reference guide that can be adapted to local needs. Key Points

The Novel Coronavirus: A Major Global Health Concern

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Runny Nose ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Nucleoprotein N ◽  
The City

Today, Coronavirus (Cov) is one of the most dangerous diseases worldwide, and many people suffer from it. Coronavirus as a deadly virus was first recognized and spread in the City of Wuhan, Province of Hubei, China. This virion contains nucleocapsid, which is consists of phosphorylated nucleoprotein (N) and genomic RNA. The RNA of coronaviruses is enveloped, not fragmented, and is a positively sensitive single-stranded RNA that is known to be the largest viral genome in various sizes from 26 to 32 kV. Cov usually tends to provoke mild to severe respiratory disease. The symptoms of Cov may comprise headache, cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, and a discomfort sensation. People with chronic diseases and health care staff are at greater risk of infection. Some compounds, such as mycophenolic acid and cyclosporine A, RNAi, and monoclonal antibodies have shown inhibitory effects against Cov. This article briefly discusses the nature, symptoms, transmission, treatment, prevention, and protection of this deadly virus.

scholarly journals The impact of novel COVID-19 initial pandemic on orthopedic healthcare: an experience from a single institution of South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 778-787
Author(s):  
Gun Woo Lee ◽  
Gi Beom Kim ◽  
In Jun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Preventive Surgery ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Cancellation Rate ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

Background: This study was to investigate the cancellation rate and trend of orthopedic surgeries during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Moreover, we assessed the psychologic status of orthopedic healthcare workers, and investigated the details of the preventive surgeries underwent in COVID-19-positive patients.Methods: For 3 months after January 20, 2020, cancellation rates of elective surgeries were investigated, and the number of elective surgeries conducted in the same period over the last two years was compared. Four different questionnaires were used to investigate psychologic status among the orthopedic health care workers. We compared the outcomes according to occupation (physician or nurse), and type of work (faculty staff or resident physician). Outcomes according to occupation and type of work were compared. Preventive surgeries underwent in patients who could not wait for the results of the COVID-19 diagnosis were investigated.Results: Spine and hip surgery had relatively lower cancellation rates, and elective surgeries were significantly reduced. During the initial pandemic, the cancellation rate of orthopedic elective surgeries was significantly higher than in the same period of the previous year and was different for each subdivision depending on the degree of pain or disability. The psychological outcomes were within the normal range and there were no significant differences between groups. After preventive surgery, all medical staff involved in the operation tested negative.Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the cancellation rate of orthopedic elective surgeries was significantly higher than in the same period of the previous year. Orthopedic health care workers did not seem to have significant psychological distress. As a result of the preventive surgery in specialized facilities, all the medical staff who participated in the operation tested negative.

scholarly journals Letter to the Editor: Burnout Management among Health Care Workers in the Age of Coronavirus Disease-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (E) ◽  
pp. 382-385
Author(s):  
Mohsen Khosravi ◽  
Alireza Ganjali
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Burnout Syndrome ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Care Workers

AIM: We aimed to understand the early warning signs and symptoms of occupational burnout as red flags among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Based on the suggestions of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies [8], health-care providers need to be trained to increase three components of resilience across the three levels of individual, team, and organization so that they can optimally manage their psychological responses to catastrophes. RESULTS: It seems that both targeted individual and organizational strategies are critical for the overall wellness of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: Health care workers experience high levels of burnout during the COVID-19, which warrants attention and support from health policy-makers and practitioners. Current evidence demonstrated that health-care staff could gain significant benefits from interventions to modify burnout syndrome, especially from organization-directed interventions.

Mental illness among NHS health care workers: a survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-135
Author(s):  
Simon Sherring
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Causal Explanations ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Evil Spirits

The literature suggests that mental illness among UK health care staff is common. This study reports health care workers' knowledge and experience of mental illness. Medical staff, administration staff and other staff members employed in four NHS Trusts (n=2073) responded to a questionnaire survey. A proportion of health care workers in the NHS reported having personal (colleagues, family and self) experience of mental illness. Some health care workers held causal explanations of mental illness that are not evidence based. This study found that almost half of health care workers reported experiencing a mental illness, which could have significant implications for service delivery. Some health care workers held causal explanations of mental illness that were not evidence based; for example, some respondents reported that demonic possession or possession by evil spirits was a very good explanation for mental illness.

scholarly journals Prevalence of positive COVID-19 among asymptomatic health care workers who care patients infected with the novel coronavirus: A retrospective study

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 14-16
Author(s):  
Nabil A. Al-zoubi ◽  
Basil R. Obeidat ◽  
Mohammad A. Al-Ghazo ◽  
Wail A. Hayajneh ◽  
Abdelkarim H. Alomari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

scholarly journals A Personal Respirator Specification for Health-care Workers Treating COVID-19 (PeRSo)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Elkington ◽  
Alexander Dickinson ◽  
Mark Mavrogordato ◽  
Dan Spencer ◽  
Ric Gillams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Care Workers

The SARS-CoV-2 virus infection is a rapidly spreading global pandemic. Recent media coverage has highlighted the importance of protecting health-care workers together with issues surrounding availability and suitability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Around 20% of healthcare workers treating COVID19 cases in Italy have become infected which leads to staff absence at a critical point during the pandemic, and unfortunately in some cases mortality.PPE plays a major role in control programs. Standard PPE such as N95/FFP3 facemasks have limitations such as an ineffective seal during talking or after prolonged use, face shapes which cannot be adequately fitted, and logistical issues ensuring availability of the correct mask for each person. Furthermore, global stock is low, and issues around diagnostic testing specificity and turnaround time may lead to infectious patients receiving care from health care staff who are not wearing appropriate PPE. To address acute shortcomings in PPE availability, we have developed a simple pressurised air purified respirator unit, incorporating a combination of inexpensive and widely available components parts. The prototype was developed to minimise the number and complexity of manufacturing steps with the intention that derivative versions could be developed in many different parts of the world, including low resource settings with minor modification, where transmission could be rapid amongst high population densities.The “Personal Respirator – Southampton” (PeRSo) delivers HEPA filtered air from a battery powered fan-filter assembly through a lightweight hood/face mask that can be comfortably worn for several hours. Initial user feedback provided by doctors and nurses shows the PeRSo prototype was preferred to standard N95/FFP3 masks, being more comfortable, reducing time lost placing and removing PPE between patients, and allowing better communication. Preliminary tests indicate that the device removes microbes and passes the “fit tests” widely used to evaluate face masks. Full verification of the safety and the duration of effectiveness and durability of the device is required, as part of translation into use. Rapid upscale of production is required to protect healthcare workers from infection while the global situation accelerates, so that they can look after patients during the peak of the pandemic.

scholarly journals Short epidemiological overview of the current situation on COVID-19 pandemic in Southeast European (SEE) countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (05) ◽  
pp. 433-437
Author(s):  
Edmond Puca ◽  
Rok Čivljak ◽  
Jurica Arapović ◽  
Corneliu Popescu ◽  
Iva Christova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Outbreak Response ◽  
First Case ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Index Cases

We are living in times where a viral disease has brought normal life in much of the world to a halt. The novel coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China initially and in a short time crossed the European borders. After mitigating the epidemic in China, Italy became one of the most COVID-19 affected countries worldwide. International travelers are important sources of infectious diseases and a possible source of epidemic. Due to its political, geographic, and cultural similarities, Italy is one of the main economic partners of Southeast European (SEE) countries. Our data show that infection in index cases in all 11 SEE countries was travel-related with Italy being a source country for 8/11 countries. After the first case identifications on February 25, the number of cases in SEE countries is continually rising reaching the total number of 15,612 with 565 fatal cases and overall case fatality ratio (CFR) of 3.6 (median 3.8, range 0.8–5.5) by April 10, 2020. At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is approaching its peak, apart from the problems with treatment of the disease and care for critically ill patients, there are other equally important problems, such as organization of outbreak response, provision of health care, lack of hospital personnel, disruption of personal protective equipment supply chains and health care workers (HCWs) protection. But what is more important is the heroic behavior of the HCWs who are showing their humanity by disregarding their lives.

scholarly journals A tribute to nurses; the front-line soldiers who are ready to sacrifice their lives in the war against COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Aurang Zeb
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Unique Type ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The World ◽  
Almost All

In the late December 2019, a unique type of pneumonia was observed in Wuhan city and was reported by China Centre for Disease Control (China CDC). The pathogen was identifed on January 07, 2020 and was named as COVID-19. The COVID-19 has transmission rate more than MERS-COV and SARS-COV. The fatality rate, so far, is around 5% that is more than the common infuenza.1 According to WHO report until the end of June, 2020, there are approximately 10 million confrmed cases worldwide with total approximately 0.5 million deaths. In Pakistan alone until now there are 0.2 million confrmed cases with more than 4000 deaths.2 The whole world is affected by this pandemic psychosocially, economically and physically. To control the spread of infection almost all the countries have started lockdowns. Majority of them are following smart lockdowns where the infected cluster population is sealed only and the restrictions on economic activities are under the safety guidelines. The scientists and medical experts are trying to develop treatment and vaccine against the infection.3 Those who have already got the infections have been quarantined and those with severe symptoms are hospitalized for treatment almost all-over the world. The health care staff including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other paramedical staff are struggling for the prevention and cure of the disease. This struggle makes them on risk for getting infection by themselves. Thousands of doctors and nurses have already been affected by the infections and hundreds of them have sacrificed their lives in fighting against it. Among all the health care workers, nurses are the professionals who spent more time than the other with the patients and are directly involved in care of the infected patients. Over 20 million nurses worldwide are fighting as front-line soldiers against COVID-19 all-over the world4 and because of the unique patient facing nature of the profession, nurses are at high occupational risk in communities and hospitals.5 It would not be wrong to say that the most vulnerable professionals in this life-threatening pandemic are nurses. Nurses need to be supported by the government and non-governmental organizations by providing them safe environment and protective equipment. Their duties should be scheduled as per WHO recommendations and they need to be compensated in terms of treatment and screening test if anyone of them is suspected for the infection. Today, the health care workers are the real heroes and nurses are the front-line members of the team. The brave efforts of these frontline soldiers are acknowledged all over the world and they have been saluted.

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