scholarly journals Safeguarding Abuse in Health Care

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-10
Author(s):  
Chanda Karki Bhandari ◽  
Gehanath Baral

Aims: The aim of the review is to understand the concept of abuse in health care in general and its various forms. It includes- review what is meant by healthcare and health care abuse; identify its various forms and to recognize who may be the most potential victims; find out the reasons of abuse by health care providers; and know the role of  ethical guidelines and institutional policy in confronting abuse in health care.Methods: Literatures and publications on the subject were searched in order to identify research studies investigating abuse in health care that were studied, analyzed and presented.  Results: Abuse in health care today is an emerging concept in need of a clear analysis and definition. At the same time, boundaries to the related concepts are not demarcated. Medical professionals and institutions are being targeted worldwide today for negligence and the medical litigation has become a huge challenge. Throughout history, health care professionals have been trusted because of their competency and caring abilities. However, the disturbing reality is that physical and psychological maltreatment of patients do occur in the health care settings throughout the world. The abuse can vary from treating someone with disrespect in a way which significantly affects the person's quality of life, to causing actual physical suffering. Differently able and dependent people are more susceptible to such abuse. Work overload, Staff burnout, lack of information and instructions were also indicated to underlie instances of abuse in health care.Conclusions: We in the healthcare facility should first accept that abuse in health care does occur and causes distress. This change needs to occur at individual, cultural and structural level. Next step will be for the staffs to be aware of abuse in health care when it happens and recognize it as such. It is always better to create a situation where we could prevent abuse from happening at health centers. Hospital personnel must implement a change in workplace culture to stop abusive behaviors wherever they occur. Each and every health care facility should be client friendly and respecting their rights. Effective ethical guidelines were needed to minimize abuse as existing ethical codes were found to be ineffective and above all there was a lack of awareness of the contents of the relevant ethical documents.

Author(s):  
Priyadharsini R. ◽  
Raja TAR ◽  
Dhayaguruvasan M.

Background: Health care providers/professionals (HCPs) play a critical role in ADR surveillance. Only 6% of all ADRs are reported and under-reporting acts as great impedance in exchange of drug information.Methods: This was a prospective questionnaire-based study. Structured questionnaire was issued to HCPs before and after the conduct of Pharmacovigilance awareness program and scores given to each question was analyzed statistically.Results: Of the 69 participants, 46.4% were nurses, 40.6% were residents of a tertiary health care facility and 13% were general practitioners in Pondicherry. The response rate was found to be 62.7% and 100% both before and after the awareness program respectively. Creation of awareness amongst HCPs is the most important factor (77%) influencing spontaneous reporting.Conclusions: Our study suggests that HCPs were aware of the concept of ADR but the majority did not know how and where to report. Thus, creation of awareness amongst HCPs is the most important determinant influencing spontaneous reporting of ADRs.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Singh Kriti ◽  
◽  
Nigam Seema ◽  

Introduction: Health care providers are working round the clock in their fight against COVID-19. Appropriate measures are taken by the hospital administration and also healthcare providers for the protection of patients as well as for them. This study is taken up to assess infection risk of COVID-19 among healthcare providers about infection, prevention, and practices in a tertiary healthcare facility.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Singh Kriti ◽  
◽  
Nigam Seema ◽  

Introduction: Health care providers are working round the clock in their fight against COVID-19. Appropriate measures are taken by the hospital administration and also healthcare providers for the protection of patients as well as for them. This study is taken up to assess infection risk of COVID-19 among healthcare providers about infection, prevention, and practices in a tertiary healthcare facility.


Author(s):  
Mayadhar Panda ◽  
Sikata Nanda

Background: As a part of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan” campaign, the Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India had launched “Kayakalp” in 2015, an initiative to promote cleanliness and enhance the quality of public health facilities. Our aim was to study the situational analysis of the health institution using Kayakalp tool; to assess the level of cleanliness, hygiene and infection control practices in the facility and to assess the status of Bio-medical waste management in the health care facility and to suggest remedial measures based on the study finding.Methods: It is a hospital based snapshot study done during a period of one year from April 2016 to March 2017. Kayakalp assessment tool was used for analysis.Results: The total scores for upkeep maintenance obtained in 2016-17 was 69 and for the year 2017-18 was 81. There was an increase of total score in the year 2017-18 and it was found to be statistically significant. On assessment in the year 2016-17, for BMW the total score obtained was 58 and in the year 2017-18 it was 81. There was a statistically significant increase in the scores (p=0.001) obtained in the year (2017-18).Conclusions: Improvements in Biomedical waste management can be made by increasing the knowledge, awareness and practices of the health care providers as well as the beneficiaries with regular periodic monitoring. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 251513552110325
Author(s):  
Juny Sebastian ◽  
Gurumurthy Parthasarathi ◽  
Mandyam Dhati Ravi

Background and Aims: Maintaining the quality and safety of immunization is as important as the efficacy of vaccines in vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) programs. The aim of this study was to determine the problems associated with different stages of vaccine use and to assess the outcome of an educational intervention on safety and quality use of vaccines among health care providers. Methods: A pilot prospective interventional study was conducted over a period of 2 years at 271 sites in Mysuru, India. The study population was health care professionals (HCPs) involved in immunization and a sample of parents (one per site). A validated questionnaire was used as a study tool. An educational intervention on best immunization practice was conducted for the enrolled HCPs and the impact of the educational intervention was assessed using the study tool after 3 weeks. Results: The total number of the study population was 594 (323 HCPs and 271 parents). Of these, 41.49% were working at community health care facility and 33.13% were enrolled from primary care centers. There were statistically significant improvements in post interventional assessment of all stages of the immunization process including storage ( p −0.001), transportation ( p −0.001), administration ( p 0.001), monitoring and reporting of adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) ( p −0.001), knowledge of AEFIs ( p 0.001), and HCP-parent communication ( p 0.001). AEFI reporting improved by 30% in the post education phase. Conclusion: Continuous education and motivation can result in positive behavioral changes on best immunization practices amongst HCPs involved in immunization, which may help to improve and maintain the safety and quality use of vaccines in immunization centers irrespective of the type of facility.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Cathyln Atukunda ◽  
Godfrey R Mugyenyi ◽  
Celestino Obua ◽  
Josephine Najjuma ◽  
Isaac Aturinda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Uganda’s maternal mortality remains unacceptably high, with thousands of women and newborns still dying of preventable deaths from pregnancy and childbirth-related complications. Despite the fact that over 95% of women in Uganda attend at least one antenatal care (ANC) visit, over 30% of women still deliver at home with no skilled birth attendant, many choosing to come to hospital after experiencing a complication. We explored barriers to women’s decisions to deliver in a health care facility among postpartum women in rural southwestern Uganda, to ultimately inform interventions aimed at improving skilled facility births.Methods Between December 2018 and March 2019, we conducted in-depth qualitative face-to-face interviews with 30 post-partum women delivering at home or health facility in rural southwestern Uganda. The purposeful sample was intended to represent women with differing experiences of pregnancy, delivery and ANC. Women were recruited from 10 villages within 20km of a referral hospital. Interviews were conducted and digitally recorded in a private setting by a trained native speaker. Translated transcripts were generated and coded. Coded data was iteratively reviewed and sorted to derive descriptive categories using grounded theory methodology.Results Regardless of where they decided to give birth, women wished to deliver in a supportive, respectful, responsive and loving environment. The data revealed six key barriers to women’s decisions to deliver from a health care facility: 1) Fear of unresponsive care, fueling a fear of being neglected or abandoned while at the facility, 2) fear of embarrassment and mistreatment by health care providers, 3)low perception of risk associated with pregnancy and childbirth, 4) preferences for particular birthing positions and their outcome expectations, 5) perceived lack of privacy in public facilities, and 6) perceived poor clinical and interpersonal skills of health providers to adequately explain birthing procedures or support expectant or laboring women and their newborn.Conclusion Anticipation of unsupportive, unresponsive, disrespectful treatment, and a perceived lack of tolerance for simple, non-harmful traditions prevent women from delivering at health facilities. Building better interpersonal relationships between patients and providers within health systems could reinforce trust, confidence, improve patient-provider interaction, and facilitate useful information transfer during ANC and delivery visits.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikhil Panse ◽  
Smita Panse ◽  
Priya Kulkarni ◽  
Rajendra Dhongde ◽  
Parag Sahasrabudhe

Purpose. The aim of this study is to understand the level of awareness and knowledge of plastic surgery in healthcare professionals in a tertiary health care facility in Pune, India. This study also aims to highlight the perception of the medical professionals about plastic surgery and what they think a plastic surgeon does. Materials and Methods. A questionnaire-based survey was done at B.J Medical College and Sassoon Hospital, Pune in 2011. Feedback evaluation forms from hundred resident doctors and faculty were evaluated and analyzed. Results. There is not much awareness about plastic surgery as a specialty amongst health care providers. Plastic surgery is mostly perceived as cosmetic surgery, and the other spectrum of the patients we cater to goes largely unnoticed. Of all the clinical conditions given to the participants, there was not a single clinical condition where the respondents favored unanimously for plastic surgeons. Conclusion. Plastic surgery as a specialty is poorly understood by our medical colleagues, and the onus of creating and improving the awareness and perception of our specialty lies on us. Herculean unified efforts at individual as well as global level will help us achieve this goal.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089443932110257
Author(s):  
Md Irfanuzzaman Khan ◽  
Jennifer (M.I.) Loh

With the advent of telecommunication technologies and social media, many health care professionals are using social media to communicate with their patients and to promote health. However, the literature reveals a lacuna in our understanding of health care professionals’ perception of their behavioral intentions to use innovations. Using the Unified Technology Acceptance Framework (unified theory of acceptance and use of technology), in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 Australian health care experts to uncover their intent and actual use of social media in their medical practices. Results revealed that social media tools offered five significant benefits such as (i) enhanced communication between health care professionals and their patients, (ii) community support, (iii) enabled e-learning, (iv) enhanced professional network, and (v) expedited health promotion. However, result also revealed barriers to social media usage including (i) inefficiency, (ii) privacy concerns, (iii) poor quality of information, (iv) lack of trust, and (v) blurred professional boundary. Peer influence and supporting conditions were also found to be determinants of social media adoption behaviors among health care professionals. This study has important implications for health care providers, patients, and policy makers on the responsible use of social media, health promotion, and health communication. This research is also among the very few studies that explore Australian health care professionals’ intent and actual use of innovations within a health care setting.


Author(s):  
Shimaa A. Elghazally ◽  
Atef F. Alkarn ◽  
Hussein Elkhayat ◽  
Ahmed K. Ibrahim ◽  
Mariam Roshdy Elkhayat

Background: burnout syndrome is a serious and growing problem among medical staff. Its adverse outcomes not only affect health-care providers’ health, but also extend to their patients, resulting in bad-quality care. The COVID-19 pandemic puts frontline health-care providers at greater risk of psychological stress and burnout syndrome. Objectives: this study aimed to identify the levels of burnout among health-care professionals currently working at Assiut University hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: the current study adopted an online cross-sectional design using the SurveyMonkey® website for data collection. A total of 201 physicians were included and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) scale was used to assess the three burnout syndrome dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Results: about one-third, two-thirds, and one-quarter of the respondents had high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment, respectively. Younger, resident, and single physicians reported higher burnout scores. The personal accomplishment score was significantly higher among males. Those working more than eight hours/day and dealing with COVID-19 patients had significantly higher scores. Conclusion: during the COVID-19 pandemic, a high prevalence of burnout was recorded among physicians. Age, job title, working duration, and working hours/day were significant predictors for burnout syndrome subscale results. Preventive and interventive programs should be applied in health-care organizations during pandemics.


2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
CA Graham ◽  
WO Kwok ◽  
YL Tsang ◽  
TH Rainer

Objective To explore why patients in Hong Kong seek medical advice from the emergency department (ED) and to identify the methods by which patients would prefer to be updated on the likely waiting time for medical consultation in the ED. Methods The study recruited 249 semi-urgent and non-urgent patients in the ED of Prince of Wales Hospital from 26th September 2005 to 30th September 2005 inclusive. A convenience sample of subjects aged ≥15 years old in triage categories 4 or 5 were verbally consented and interviewed by research nurses using a standardized questionnaire. Results From 1715 potential patients, 249 were recruited ad hoc (mean age 44 years [SD18]; 123 females). About 63% indicated that an acceptable ED waiting time was less than or equal to two hours, and 88% felt that having individual number cards and using a number allocation screen in the ED waiting area would be useful. Perceived reasons for attending the ED rather than other health care providers such as primary health care or the general outpatient clinic (GOPC) included: a desire for more detailed investigations (56%); a perception that more professional medical advice was given in the ED (35%); patients were under the continuing care of the hospital (19%); and patients were referred to the ED by other health care professionals (11%). Notably, 26% of participants had considered attending the GOPC prior to attending the ED. Patients educated to tertiary level expected a shorter waiting time than those educated to lesser degrees (p=0.026, Kruskal-Wallis test). Suggestions were made on how to provide a more pleasant ED environment for the wait for consultations, which included the provision of a television screen with sound in the waiting area (43%), more comfortable chairs (37%) and health care promotion programs (32%). Conclusion Patients chose ED services because they believed they would receive more detailed investigations and more professional medical advice than available alternatives. Clear notification of the likely waiting times and enhancement of comfort before consultation are considered desirable by patients. Enhanced public education about the role of the ED and making alternatives to ED care more accessible may be useful in reducing inappropriate ED attendances in Hong Kong.


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