scholarly journals Preventing SARS-CoV-2 In-Hospital Infections in Cardiovascular Patients and Medical Staff: An Observational Study From the German Heart Center Berlin

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doreen Schöppenthau ◽  
Karl Jakob Weiß ◽  
Misael Estepa-Martinez ◽  
Matthias Hommel ◽  
Oliver Miera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Hospital Infections ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Risk Area ◽  
Indirect Contact ◽  
Cardiovascular Patients ◽  
Outpatient Departments ◽  
Heart Center ◽  
Specific Reason ◽  
Observation Period

Objective: COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Preventing in-hospital infections is crucial to protect patients and hospital staff.Methods: At the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the German Heart Center initiated obligatory wearing of surgical face masks for patients and employees, SARS-CoV-2 screening for all patients, and symptom-based testing for employees. In addition, access restriction, closure of outpatient departments, and postponing non-urgent procedures were implemented with community-initiated regulations.Results: During the observation period (03/16/2020–04/27/2020), 1,128 SARS-CoV-2 tests were performed in 983 persons (1.1 tests/person; 589 in patients and 394 in hospital employees). Up to 60% of the clinical workforce was tested based on symptoms and risk (62.5% symptoms, 19.3% direct or indirect contact to known COVID-19, 4.5% returnee from risk area, 13.7% without specific reason). Patient testing for SARS-CoV-2 was obligatory (100% tested). The overall prevalence of positive tests during the observation period was 0.4% (n = 5 out of 1,128 tests performed). The incidence of new infections with SARS-CoV-2 was 0.5% (n = 5 out of 983 individuals; three healthcare workers, two patients). No nosocominal infections occurred, despite a mean number of 14.8 in-hospital contacts.Conclusion: Comprehensive SARS-CoV-2 testing and surgical face masks for patients and hospital staff, in addition to others measures, are key factors for the early detection of COVID-19 and to prevent spreading in the vulnerable hospital population.

scholarly journals Attitudes towards COVID-19 Vaccination among Hospital Staff—Understanding What Matters to Hesitant People

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 469
Author(s):  
Anne Spinewine ◽  
Catherine Pétein ◽  
Perrine Evrard ◽  
Christelle Vastrade ◽  
Christine Laurent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Belief ◽  
Vaccination Strategy ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Communication Campaign ◽  
Knowing That ◽  
Seasonal Flu ◽  
Belief Model ◽  
The Health Belief Model

Hospital staff are a priority target group in the European COVID-19 vaccination strategy. Measuring the extent of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and understanding the reasons behind it are essential to be able to tailor effective communication campaigns. Using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a theoretical framework, a survey was conducted among staff members of a Belgian three-site hospital center between 6 and 20 January 2021. Multivariable logistic ordinal regression was performed to assess determinants of the attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. Reasons for and against COVID-19 vaccination and the need for information were explored among hesitant staff members. Among the respondents (N = 1132), 58% and 4.9% said that they would certainly and certainly not get vaccinated, respectively; 37.1% were hesitant, with different degrees of certainty. A positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination was associated with being older, being a physician, being vaccinated against seasonal flu, and with several HBM factors (including perceived benefits and cues to actions). Among hesitant staff, concerns about potential side effects and the impression that the vaccine was developed too quickly were the main reasons against COVID-19 vaccination. The key factors in the decision process were data on vaccine efficacy and safety, and knowing that vaccination went well in others. These data are helpful to further tailor the communication campaign and ensure sufficient vaccination coverage among hospital staff.

Abstract 296: Characteristics Of Ambulatory Cardiovascular Patients In India: Findings From The First 18,000+ Patient Encounters In The PINNACLE India Outpatient Registry

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan T Glusenkamp ◽  
Purvez Grant ◽  
Ganesh Kumar ◽  
Nirmala Castellino ◽  
Rahul Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Performance Measure ◽  
Patient Records ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Electronic Data Collection ◽  
Cardiovascular Patients ◽  
Lipid Panel ◽  
The Us ◽  
Outpatient Departments

Background: In India, patients usually are responsible for medical records, carrying them to ambulatory clinic visits. Little is known about the characteristics of cardiovascular (CV) patients visiting Indian hospital outpatient departments (OPDs), as this information is not collected or analyzed in a standardized fashion. Methods: We used paper scanners along with an electronic data collection tool to systematically collect CV patient records in hospital OPDs. Standardized data definitions were used for all elements, including demographics, vital signs, and lab values. We normalized and analyzed the data collected, producing totals, means, medians, and standard deviations for all element values. Results: We collected 18,804 CV patient encounters in the OPDs of two tertiary facilities in Maharastra state from 2/12 to10/12. Of 18,622 records with gender recorded, 12,386 were male (66.5%). Only 22% of records were for patients over age of 65. Mean age was 57, the same mean age for males. Mean age for females was 54. Systolic blood pressure (BP) was documented in 8,481 (45%) of patient visits. Diastolic BP was documented in 8,477 (45%) patient visits. Mean systolic BP was 130, with a standard deviation of ± 18. Mean diastolic BP was 81 ± 9. Most BPs were high, with 6,651 (78%) greater than 120. Hypertension diagnoses could be applied to 2,566 (30%) of the encounters with a systolic BP over 140 documented. Ejection fraction (EF) was present in 857 patient encounter records (4.5%). Most EFs (704) fell within the normal range of ≥ 50%. Mean ejection fraction was 56% ± 11. For EFs outside normal range, 74 were mildly reduced (an EF of 40-49%), 57 moderately reduced (26-29%) and 22 severely reduced (≤ 25%). Complete lipid panel, consisting of values for total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides, was present in 594 patient records (3.2%). LDL values were present in 601 encounter records, with mean LDL of 101 mg/dL ± 35. 288 LDL values were over 100 mg/dL, the upper bound of optimal range. Conclusion: Indian ambulatory CV patients appear to be younger and more heavily male than outpatient CV populations in the US. Opportunity remains for increased documentation, allowing for performance measure generation.

scholarly journals Use of GIS for mapping of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in South Bohemia

Geografie ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Švec ◽  
Václav Hönig ◽  
Milan Daniel ◽  
Vlasta Danielová ◽  
Libor Grubhoffer
Keyword(s):  
Field Work ◽  
Field Analysis ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
The South ◽  
Risk Area ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
High Risk Area ◽  
Tick Activity ◽  
Current Article ◽  
Selection Of

Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBD) represent a serious health risk in numerous European countries, including Czechia. The South Bohemian Region is a TBD high-risk area. The aims of the current project are: to map the distribution of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the South Bohemian Region, to identify the key factors determining their distribution and to use the obtained data for creation of a TBD risk prediction model. The current article deals with the use of the geographic information system (GIS) for selection of localities for field work (tick collections, estimation of tick activity). Data sources and methods of their processing are described, examples of the main outputs are presented, further possibilities of GIS use in the project are outlined. The field work confirmed GIS analysis as an efficient approach to identification of appropriate sites for field analysis of tick activity.

scholarly journals Percutaneous Cardiac Support during Myocardial Infarction Drastically Reduces Mortality: Perspectives from a Swine Model

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 338-344
Author(s):  
Maria Giovanna Trivella ◽  
Alessandra Piersigilli ◽  
Fabio Bernini ◽  
Gualtiero Pelosi ◽  
Silvia Burchielli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Aortic Pressure ◽  
Early Mortality ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Swine Model ◽  
Risk Area ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Observation Period

Background/Aims Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with cardiogenic shock (CS) remains the leading cause of in-hospital death in acute coronary syndromes. In the AMI-CS pig model we tested the efficacy of temporary percutaneous cardiorespiratory assist device (PCRA) in rescuing the failing heart and reducing early mortality. Methods In open-chest pigs we induced AMI by proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation. Eight animals without PCRA (C group) were compared with 12 animals otherwise treated with PCRA (T group), starting approximately at 60 minutes post-occlusion and lasting 120–180 minutes. In 3 animals of the T group, regional myocardial oxygen content was also imaged by two-dimensional near infrared spectroscopy (2D-NIRS) with and without PCRA, before and after LAD reperfusion. Results All animals without PCRA died despite unrelenting resuscitation maneuvers (120 minutes average survival time). Conversely, animals treated with PCRA showed a reduction in life-threatening arrhythmia and maintenance of aortic pressure, allowing interruption of PCRA in all cases early in the experiments, with sound hemodynamics at the end of the observation period. During LAD occlusion, NIRS showed severe de-oxygenation of the LAD territory that improved with PCRA. After PCRA suspension and LAD reperfusion, the residual de-oxygenated area proved to be smaller than the initial risk area. Conclusions In AMI, PCRA initiated during advanced CS drastically reduced early mortality from 100% to 0% in a 4–5 hour observation period. PCRA promoted oxygenation of the ischemic area during LAD occlusion. Results support the use of PCRA as first line of treatment in AMI-CS, improving myocardial rescue and short-term survival.

scholarly journals Key Drivers of Internal Market Changes and Innovative Tools Towards an Efficient Business Climate

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 224-243
Author(s):  
Iris Mihajlović ◽  
Cvijeta Djevojić ◽  
Marino Stanković
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Employee Motivation ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Internal Marketing ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Internal Customers ◽  
Financial Factor ◽  
Education Participation

This paper has an emphasis on analytical approach to certain key factors of internal marketing. Examining the strength of their impact (financial and non-financial) on the employee motivation levels, in September 2019 the conducted survey comprised 300 respondents (sample size), employees - internal customers, nurses and hospital staff. Data were collected based on a survey of employee satisfaction, area of their jobs. Respondents were employees / hospital staff of the regional hospital center in the Republic of Croatia. Analyzed areas had been previously sequenced and grouped in accordance with key factors that corresponded to the areas of internal marketing with intensities of their impacts on the level of the satisfaction, motivation and the employee productivity. In the analysis, inferential statistics methods (Z-test, Chi-Square test) were used to answer the question of whether internal marketing instruments affect employment motivation, and to what extent is the response positive, to what extent they affect motivation, and indirectly, to work productivity. Questions related to salary, satisfaction with the basic salary, type of employment, and type of work provided answers about employee motivation with regard to the financial factor of internal marketing, and questions related to when employees use a break at work gave us the answer about the free time to which the employee is entitled to, and which affects the level of his satisfaction. The questions concentrated on work experiences of employees in the organization presented their loyalty to the non-profit organization. Main domains that represented key incentives throughout the interactive empowerments of key factors analyzed are education, participation in professional lectures and seminars, conferences, and additional training for application of innovative tools. Results confirm basic attitudes about employment in non-profit organizations, i.e. that the financial factor is not decisive in choosing employment. Results show narrow connection of loyalty with employee’s motivation as non-financial factor of internal marketing, showing in that manner the interest of employees for achievements supported by the internal confidence and permanent positive behavior or the attitude. These research results contribute to improving the elements of internal marketing. Internal customers' attitudes and behavior (i.e., their satisfaction and commitment) is affected by the organizational atmosphere component. It is closely tied to internal customers' creativity and productivity. Therefore, it is an essential element of organizational performance.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of hospital staff in a province with zero COVID-19 cases

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0238088
Author(s):  
Tanawin Nopsopon ◽  
Krit Pongpirul ◽  
Korn Chotirosniramit ◽  
Wutichai Jakaew ◽  
Chuenkhwan Kaewwijit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Institutional Review Board ◽  
Risk Area ◽  
High Risk Area ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
History Of ◽  
Clinical Trials Registry

Background COVID-19 seroprevalence data, particularly in less developed countries with a relatively low incidence, has been scant. We aimed to explore the seroprevalence of hospital staff in the area with zero confirmed COVID-19 case to shed light on the situation of COVID-19 infection in zero or low infection rate countries where mass screening was not readily available. Methods A locally developed rapid immunoglobulin M (IgM)/immunoglobulin G (IgG) test kit was used for hospital staff screening of Ranong hospital which is located in a province with zero COVID-19 prevalence in Thailand from 17th April to 17th May 2020. All staff was tested, 100 of which were randomly invited to have a repeating antibody test in one month. (Thai Clinical Trials Registry: TCTR20200426002) Results Of 844 hospital staff, 82 were tested twice one month apart (response rate for repeating antibody test 82%). Overall, 0.8% of the participants (7 of 844) had positive IgM, none had positive IgG. Female staff had 1.0% positive IgM (95% CI: 0.5–2.1%) while male had 0.5% positive IgM (95% CI: 0.1–2.6%). No participants with a history of travel to the high-risk area or close contact with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 case developed SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Among 844 staff, 811 had no symptoms and six of them developed IgM seropositive (0.7%) while 33 had minor symptoms and only one of them developed IgM seropositive (3.0%). No association between SARS-CoV-2 IgM status and gender, history of travel to a high-risk area, close contact with PCR-confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case, presence of symptoms within 14 days, or previous PCR status was found. None of the hospital staff developed SARS-CoV-2 IgG. Conclusions COVID-19 antibody test could detect a considerable number of hospital staff who could be potential silent spreaders in a province with zero COVID-19 cases. Accurate antibody testing is a valuable screening tool, particularly in asymptomatic healthcare workers. Trial registration: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Chulalongkorn University (IRB No.236/63) and the Institutional Review Board of Ranong Hospital. (Thai Clinical Trials Registry: TCTR20200426002).

Day Treatment: Suitability and Referral Procedure

1985 ◽  
Vol 147 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Dick ◽  
Lewis Cameron ◽  
David Cohen ◽  
Marion Barlow ◽  
Anne Ince
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Alcohol Abuse ◽  
Day Treatment ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Hospital Treatment ◽  
Day Hospital ◽  
Emergency Admissions ◽  
Physical Problems ◽  
Early Transfer ◽  
Specific Reason

In a prospective screening of emergency admissions of patients suffering from neurosis, personality disorder or adjustment reaction, 100 were assessed as suitable for early transfer to day hospital treatment, 101 as unsuitable, and 39 as not requiring further intervention. Of the unsuitable patients, 39 were grossly disturbed; the remainder did not differ in severity from those thought suitable, but there was a specific reason against day treatment in all but 13 of the 62—most commonly alcohol abuse, physical problems, social problems or aggression. Patients' attitudes were also important. Recruitment of patients had to be active, with regular visits to the wards by day hospital staff.

scholarly journals Voluntary Tax-compliance Behavior in SMEs; Evidence from Pakistan and Turkey

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 905-918
Author(s):  
Muhammad Shaukat Malik ◽  
Sabah Younus
Keyword(s):  
Research Work ◽  
Tax Compliance ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Risk Area ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Compliance Behavior ◽  
Trust Relation ◽  
Compliance Behaviour

This research article aims at exploring the Voluntary Tax-compliance behaviour of the small and medium-size business enterprises for two countries, Pakistan and Turkey. Voluntary tax-compliance from SME’s is considered as major risk area by the tax-collection authorities of both developing and developed countries, authorities from both desire to bring individuals belonging to SME’s to pay taxes on a voluntary basis, in order to generate higher revenues for their governments. Thus, data was collected from the owners of SME’s of both countries through a questionnaire, data thus collected was analysed using SPSS and PLS-Smart. The results suggested that voluntary tax-compliance can be achieved by building a mutual trust relation and by exercising legitimate use of power by the tax authorities, results also signify that subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, attitude towards taxes and moral obligation are also key factors in determining the voluntary tax-compliance behaviour as suggested by Kirchler,  Hoelzl and Wahl,  (2008). Also, this article tests the mediating role of the intention of building positive voluntary tax-compliance behaviour as suggested by Ajzen (1991). This study is an important contribution in literature as it incorporates data from two countries, Pakistan (a developing nation) and Turkey (that is making its mark in the list of developed countries). This research work can be further extended by incorporating comparative analysis among the business owners belonging to developed, semi-developed and developing countries.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Hospital Staff in Province with Zero COVID-19 cases

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanawin Nopsopon ◽  
Krit Pongpirul ◽  
Korn Chotirosniramit ◽  
Wutichai Jakaew ◽  
Chuenkhwan Kaewwijit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Risk Area ◽  
High Risk Area ◽  
Test Kit ◽  
Seroprevalence Data ◽  
History Of

BACKGROUND. COVID-19 seroprevalence data has been scarce, especially in less developed countries with a relatively low infection rate. METHODS. A locally developed rapid IgM/IgG test kit was used for screening hospital staff in Ranong hospital which located in a province with zero COVID-19 prevalence in Thailand from April 17 to May 17, 2020. A total of 844 participants were tested; 82 of which were tested twice with one month apart. (Thai Clinical Trials Registry: TCTR20200426002) RESULTS. Overall, 0.8% of the participants (7 of 844) had positive immunoglobulin M (IgM), none had positive immunoglobulin G (IgG). Female staffs seemed to have higher IgM seropositive than male staffs (1.0% vs. 0.5%). None of the participants with a history of travel to the high-risk area or a history of close contact with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 case had developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Among 844 staff, 811 had no symptom and six of them developed IgM seropositive (0.7%) while 33 had minor symptoms and only one of them developed IgM seropositive (3.0%). No association between IgM antibody against SARS-CoV-2 status and gender, history of travel to a high-risk area, history of close contact with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 case, history of close contact with suspected COVID-19 case, presence of symptoms within 14 days, or previous PCR status was found. None of the hospital staff developed IgG against SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION. COVID-19 antibody test could detect a substantial number of hospital staffs who could be potential silent spreaders in a province with zero COVID-19 case. Antibody testing should be encouraged for mass screening, especially in asymptomatic healthcare workers.

Digital imaging and quantitative image analysis of polymer blends

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 170-171
Author(s):  
Xiao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Digital Imaging ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Imaging Systems ◽  
Polymer Science ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Multiple Imaging ◽  
Quantitative Image ◽  
Digital Imaging Systems ◽  
Multi Phase ◽  
Network Technologies

Polymer microscopy involves multiple imaging techniques. Speed, simplicity, and productivity are key factors in running an industrial polymer microscopy lab. In polymer science, the morphology of a multi-phase blend is often the link between process and properties. The extent to which the researcher can quantify the morphology determines the strength of the link. To aid the polymer microscopist in these tasks, digital imaging systems are becoming more prevalent. Advances in computers, digital imaging hardware and software, and network technologies have made it possible to implement digital imaging systems in industrial microscopy labs.

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