scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic During Lockdown on the Veterinary Profession in Romania: A Questionnaire-Based Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Nicoleta Mureşan ◽  
Sorin Morariu ◽  
Radu Andrei Baisan ◽  
Ruxandra Costea ◽  
Cosmin Mureşan

The lockdown period in Romania lasted for 60 days and had the purpose of limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak and manage its consequences through emergency measures on many important areas of activity. This study aimed to gather, assess, analyze and disseminate relevant social, economic, and medical aspects on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic during lockdown on the veterinary profession in Romania. A survey was created using an online questionnaire platform, and disseminated. The survey was completed by a total of 409 individuals. A high number of respondents (71.64%; n = 293) felt exposed to medium or high risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 at their workplace and many (56.97%; n = 233) felt that their professional environment was more stressful than usual during lockdown. Almost all respondents (89.73%; n = 367) declared the implementation of several control measures recommended by FECAVA and FVE (e.g., social distancing, wearing protective equipment, hand washing), but few mentioned the opportunity of remote work or visiting restrictions. Overall, the results show that the impact of lockdown lies directly on four main categories of importance on veterinarian professional's life—human resource, activity management, relationship between veterinarian and authorities, and continuing education.

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (S1) ◽  
pp. s9-s10
Author(s):  
Kenisha Evans ◽  
Jennifer LeRose ◽  
Angela Beatriz Cruz ◽  
Lavina Jabbo ◽  
Teena Chopra

Background: In 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), had cost the lives of >35,000 patients, particularly the most virulent plasmid-mediated New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM). Although healthcare systems normally have strict surveillance and infection control measures for CRE, the rapid emergence of novel SAR-CoV-2 and COVID-19 led to a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies. As a result, routine infection practices, such as contact precautions, were violated. Studies have shown this depletion and shift in resources compromised the control of infections such CRE leading to rising horizontal transmission. Method: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary healthcare system in Detroit, Michigan, to determine the impact of PPE shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic on NDM infection rates. The following periods were established during 2020 based on PPE availability: (1) pre-PPE shortage (January–June), (2) PPE shortage (July–October), and (3) post-PPE shortage (November–December). Rates of NDM per 10,000 patient days were compared between periods using the Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test. Isolates were confirmed resistant by NDM by molecular typing performed by the Michigan State Health Department. Patient characteristics were gathered by medical chart review and patient interviews by telephone. Results: Overall, the average rate of NDM infections was 1.82 ±1.5 per 10,000 patient days. Rates during the PPE shortage were significantly higher, averaging 3.6 ±1.1 cases per 10,000 patient days (P = .02). During this time, several infections occurred within patients on the same unit and/or patients with same treating team, suggesting possible horizontal transmission. Once PPE stock was replenished and isolation practices were reinstated, NDM infection rates decreased to 0.77 ±1.1 per 10,000 patient days. Conclusion: Control of CRE requires strategic planning with active surveillance, antimicrobial constructs, and infection control measures. The study illustrates that in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the burden of effective infection control requires much more multidisciplinary efforts to prevent unintentional lapses in patient safety. A swift response by the state and local health departments at a tertiary-care healthcare center conveyed a positive mitigation of the highest clinical threats and decreased horizontal transmission of disease.Funding: NoDisclosures: None


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanie Ahmadi ◽  
Alireza Ebrahimi ◽  
Farhad Ghorbani

Abstract Background The highly contagious nature of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), besides the fact that dental procedures commonly generate blood and saliva droplets that could lead to the contagion have resulted in the closure of many dental clinics. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on dental practice by conducting an online questionnaire among the Iranian dental practitioners and finding their perspectives on the subject. Methods This report is based on a questionnaire that was conducted among Iranian dentists. The survey included questions that evaluate the dentists’ perceptions and attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on their personal life, financial status, and the quality of dental services for patients. Results Overall, 240 dentists contributed to this study (214 general dentists and 26 specialists). The majority of the participants (n = 170, 70%) did not perform non-emergency procedures during the pandemic. The dental practitioners have suggested several strategies to decrease the risk of contagion, such as reducing treatment sessions (n = 90, 37%), strict triage of patients (n = 156, 64%), and using personal protective equipment (n = 108, 45%). However, most of the dentists (n = 210, 87%) had problems, providing personal protective equipment during the pandemic. Moreover, 97% (n = 234) of the participants reported that they encountered a decrease in their financial income since the eruption of the pandemic. Conclusion Dental health care workers are at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19. Thus, dental practitioners ought to execute the standard protocols more cautiously during the pandemic. They could also lower their work hours and limit dental procedures to emergency treatments to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Besides, the public organizations should provide proper equipment for the dental practitioners to decrease the risk of contagion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-70
Author(s):  
Fabio de A Gomes ◽  
Eduarda Malhão ◽  
Cláudio Maniglia-Ferreira ◽  
Danilo Lima ◽  
Maísa Casarin ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on the endodontic treatment routine. It was a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire applied to endodontists to collect information about practical modifications during endodontic treatment to protect professionals and patients against the COVID-19 outbreak. A total 1105 participants from Brazil participated in the survey. More than 90% of respondents identify the high risk of COVID-19 infection to dentists and the need to change some clinical practices. Most respondents (60.1%) are partially following social isolation. The need for a change in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during dental appointments was mentioned by 97.1% of respondents. The use of minimal adequate PPE during the pandemic period was associated with the area of residence and marital status of participants. Only 30% of respondents say they use the minimal adequate PPE. Most respondents will change cavity access preparation to reduce virus dissemination. Other changes in endodontic appointments were described in the survey: greater attention to biosafety measures, duration of dental appointments, and duration of intervals between appointments. Endodontists still need to identify the best arrangement for performing their procedures safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific guidelines require detailed information for each specialty and its procedures.


Author(s):  
Judith E. Arnetz ◽  
Eamonn Arble ◽  
Sukhesh Sudan ◽  
Bengt B. Arnetz

Numerous studies provide evidence of the physical and emotional strain experienced by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known regarding the impact of this occupational strain on nurses’ cognitive function at work. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with workplace cognitive failure in a sample of U.S. nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online questionnaire was administered in May 2020 to Michigan nurses statewide via three nursing organizations (n = 695 respondents). Path analysis was conducted to test the parallel effects of frequency of contact with COVID patients and personal protective equipment (PPE) supply on workplace cognitive failure scores. Mediation effects of stress, sleep quality, secondary trauma, and work-related exhaustion were examined for each exposure. Results revealed significant indirect effects of all mediators except sleep quality of contact with COVID patients (cumulative indirect effect = 1.30, z = 6.33, p < 0.001) and PPE (cumulative indirect effect = −2.10, z = −5.22, p < 0.001) on cognitive failure. However, 58% of the PPE effect was direct. To reduce the risk of cognitive failure, healthcare organizations need to provide nurses with protective equipment and work environments that allow nurses to strengthen their resilience to extreme working conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-41
Author(s):  
Alberto Narváez Olalla ◽  
Jonathan Melena Zapata ◽  
Jhon Guerrero González ◽  
Diana Solís Cárdenas ◽  
Lilian Calderón Layedra ◽  
...  

IntroductionHealth professional’s exposure to the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) as well as their risk of acquiring COVID-19 “its associated disease”, has been higher compared to other population groups. Nevertheless, the correct implementation of biosecurity measures could reduce their infection risk. The objective of this study was to evaluate the availability of personal protective equipment “PPE”, occupational risks and its relationship with COVID-19 in health professionals.Patients and methods603 subjects among students, teachers, and health professionals were included in a cross-sectional descriptive observational study. Occupational exposure and incidence of COVID-19 were the main measurements. ResultsMost of the subjects were women (73.5%) and young adults (92.6%) and 23.55% (95% CI 20.3-27.1) referred a diagnosis of COVID-19 (15% confirmed, 8% suspected). People who worked in Pichincha’s province and those who did not have soap presented a higher risk of COVID-19 infection (adjusted OR= 2.85 and 2.68 respectively). Contact with confirmed and suspicious cases were the variables that were associated with the highest risk of infection (adjusted OR= 9.28 and 3.07 respectively).Conclusions The high incidence of COVID-19 in the subjects was associated with PPE deficiencies. Health professional’s protection must be a priority for health and labor authorities, who must also provide the PPE and necessary supplies. A periodic screening in this occupational group to assess the impact of protective measures and analyze the implementation of necessary corrections.is recommended.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Brown ◽  
Natalie Shenker

Abstract Background: Donor human milk (DHM) protects the health and development of premature infants but there has been little examination of the broader impact of an infant receiving it upon parental mental health. Breastfeeding and mental health are closely tied with women who experience breastfeeding difficulties or are unable to meet their own breastfeeding goals often experiencing feelings of guilt, sadness and anger, alongside an increased risk of postnatal depression. The aim of the current study was to explore how experience of receiving DHM for their baby affected the wellbeing of parents.Methods: UK parents of infants aged 0 – 12 months who had received screened DHM from a milk bank (typically on the neonatal unit or in some cases in the community) completed an online questionnaire exploring their experiences. The questionnaire included Likert scale items examining perceived impact upon infant health, own wellbeing and family functioning alongside open-ended questions exploring perceptions of how receiving DHM affected wellbeing.Results: Almost all of the 107 participants (women=102) agreed that receiving DHM had a positive impact upon infant health and development, their own mental and physical health, and their family’s wellbeing. Parents felt relieved that their infant was receiving DHM for health reasons but also due to the experience of being listened to, supported and having their infant feeding decisions facilitated. Receiving DHM helped mothers to process some of their emotions at not being able to breastfeed, in part because knowing their baby was being fed gave them the space to focus on recovery and bonding with their baby. Some parents did experience challenges, feeling guilty at receiving DHM, insecure that another woman was able to feed their baby when they could not, with some negative reactions from family. Although the impact of receiving DHM upon breastfeeding was not measured, some women who were working to build their own milk supply noted that it helped motivate them to continue.Conclusions: DHM may play an important role not only in protecting infant health and development but in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of mothers for whom their infant receiving human milk is important.


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 812-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria M. C. Carrascosa ◽  
Tercio de Campos ◽  
Jéssica E. Sampaio ◽  
Rafaella R. F. Souza ◽  
Vitória L. Ribeiro ◽  
...  

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE Assess the impact of COVID-19 on medical students’ internships in public and private institutions in Brasil, in addition to estimating the quality of the measures taken by their respective Universities in the face of the problem and the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE). METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative analysis study carried out with 317 students undergoing medical internship from March 31, 2020, to April 12, 2020. The survey was conducted through an online questionnaire using the SurveyMonkey tool with 20 questions. Interns from the fourth to the sixth year of medical schools in the country were randomly included in the study through a survey sent by Whatsapp application. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-Square, considering p <0.05 as significant. RESULTS Four main topics were identified in the research: student demographic data; how classes and courses are being taught; the use and ease of access to personal protective equipment and the students’ fears and perspectives for the future. CONCLUSION The study clarified that although half of the students still have some degree of content and, in their majority, they are satisfied, there is still a lot of difficulty in obtaining personal protective equipment, which prevents students from returning safely to their internships.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 78-87
Author(s):  
Khaleel I. Alyahya ◽  

The study aimed to assess the impact of awareness of citizens and residents in Saudi Arabia toward the home isolation and social distancing during lockdown that might decrease the outbreak of COVID-19, to measure the importance of social behavior to maintain the constant decline of COVID-19 cases and to determine if there is a difference in the level of awareness and behavior between citizens and residents in Saudi Arabia toward the governmental measures during the pandemic. We have adopted a cross-sectional survey design to investigate the impact of Saudi lockdown on blockade COVID-19 by using an anonymous online questionnaire. The targeted population of the study was Saudi citizens and non-Saudi residents of different ages. The collected data were entered into Microsoft Excel (version 2011) and analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 23. The Chi-square test with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to examine significant associations between the socio-demographic characteristic of participants, their awareness, and their behavior towards the COVOD-19 pandemic. AP value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The total number of the current study participants was 1168. The majority (70.50%) were married males with children (73.50%). Three-quarters of the participants were equally distributed between the age groups of 30-39, 40-49, and 50-59 years old. Almost all (90.90%) of the participants have received higher education, 73.60% living in the central region, and in large and crowded cities (75.30%). More than half (58.50%) of the Saudi respondents know about the coronavirus from media sources, while for the non-Saudis, 54.50% are well informed regarding the virus. The results of the current study revealed that the majority of the population in the country believe in home isolation and social distancing for the COVID-19 blockade. Additionally, they also consider non-compliance to these measures as one the main factor for the disease outbreak. Most of the participants were committed to home isolation, social distancing, and personal protective measures including wearing masks, gloves, and avoiding face contact.


2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (4) ◽  
pp. 671-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Paderno ◽  
Milena Fior ◽  
Giulia Berretti ◽  
Alberto Schreiber ◽  
Alberto Grammatica ◽  
...  

The restart of routine in- and outpatient activity in the COVID-19 postepidemic peak needs to be carefully planned in light of specific patterns of viral diffusion. We evaluated SARS-CoV-2 serology in the entire personnel of a COVID-19-free otolaryngology department in a highly affected area. The aim was to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity among staff to clarify the impact of different risk factors for infection. The entire staff of the otolaryngology unit was tested for SARS-CoV-2 serology. Symptomatic staff members were tested with nasal/pharyngeal swabs. All answered a survey focused on the number of in- and extrahospital positive contacts and type of activities in the unit. Five (9%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The only variable associated with a higher risk of infection was the number of extrahospital contacts without personal protective equipment ( P = .008). Our study shows that in non-COVID-19 departments, the use of adequate personal protective equipment leads to low rates of infection among health care workers. The prevalent risk of infection was related to extrahospital contact.


2021 ◽  
pp. 6-17
Author(s):  
S. V. Boyko ◽  
N. N. Pokrovskaia ◽  
A. L. Slobodskoy ◽  
V. A. Spivak

Motivation and involvement of individual and collective subjects of social and labor relations in work in the traditional format of building work processes is based on strong and diverse interpersonal ties, supported by constant repetitive interaction. Remote work (work outside the office) leads to the need to rethink the impact of the manager on the employee from the standpoint of motivation and control. Distributed work involves a new approach to building interactions between employees in a team, rethinking and reconfiguring group relationships in a team. In the context of social isolation measures caused by the pandemic, almost all enterprises (with the exception of a rather narrow list of strategically important industries) faced the need to change the approach to organizing work processes in general, and managers discovered new problem areas in the field of motivation. In the event of a sudden lockdown, the first to solve the social and psychological problems of maintaining the involvement of employees in work processes, at the same time, problems of a socioeconomic nature receded into secondary positions, since physical and mental health was recognized as an absolute priority. The article is devoted to the analysis of the main approaches to resolving problem areas in the field of socio-economic approaches to motivating employees of enterprises and organizations in a format of remote distributed work that is unexpected for companies and employees.


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