scholarly journals Construction of a Medical Resource Sharing Mechanism Based on Blockchain Technology: Evidence from the Medical Resource Imbalance of China

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Hu Liu ◽  
Yuxuan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Medical Resource ◽  
Medical Resources ◽  
Technology System ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Resource Storage ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Health equity is a very important part of social equity. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) in a short period of time exposed the problems existing in the allocation of medical resources and the response to major public health emergencies in China. By using Kernel density estimation and Data envelopment analysis (DEA), it is found that the allocation and imbalance of medical resources in China are greatly different among regions, and the polarization phenomenon is obvious. As an important part of the information technology system, blockchain technology is characterized by decentralization and non-tampering. It can realize sharing of medical resources through a mechanism of resource storage, circulation, supervision, and protection. The construction of a medical resource sharing mechanism under the condition of blockchain technology will greatly improve the degree of medical resource sharing, will narrow the differences in resource allocation between regions, and can effectively respond to an outbreak of major public health emergencies.

scholarly journals Facemask shortage and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak: Reflection on public health measures

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huailiang Wu ◽  
Jian Huang ◽  
Casper J. P. Zhang ◽  
Zonglin He ◽  
Wai-Kit Ming
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Wuhan City ◽  
Medical Resources ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Effective Public Health

AbstractBackgroundA novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak due to SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in China in late-December 2019. Facemask wearing is considered as one of the most cost-effective and important measures to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but it became a social concern due to the recent global facemask shortage. China is the major facemask producer in the world, contributing to 50% of global production. However, even full productivity (20 million facemasks per day) does not seem to meet the need of a population of 1.4 billion in China.MethodsPolicy review using government websites and shortage analysis using mathematical modelling based on data obtained from the National Health Commission (NHC), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the People’s Republic of China, and Wuhan Bureau of Statistics.FindingsSupplies of facemasks in the whole of China would have been sufficient for both healthcare workers and the general population if the COVID-19 outbreak only occurred in Wuhan city or Hubei province. However, if the outbreak occurred in the whole of China, facemask supplies in China could last for 5 days if under the existing public health measures and a shortage of 853 million facemasks is expected by 30 Apr 2020. Assuming a gradually decreased import volume, we estimated that dramatic increase in productivity (42.7 times of the usual level) is needed to mitigate the facemask crisis by the end of April.InterpretationIn light of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, a shortage of facemasks and other medical resources can considerably compromise the efficacy of public health measures. Effective public health measures should also consider the adequacy and affordability of medical resources. Global collaboration should be strengthened to prevent the development of a global pandemic from a regional epidemic via easing the medical resources crisis in the affected countries.Research in contextEvidence before this studyWe searched PubMed and Web of Science for articles in English, between 1 Jan 1980, and 1 Jan 2020, using the search terms 1) (infection OR infectious disease* OR outbreaks) AND (modelling); and 2) (mask* OR facemask* OR medical resource*) AND (infection OR infectious disease* OR outbreaks). Most relevant studies identified were performed to predict diseases spread and to determine the original infection source of previous epidemics like SARS and H7N9. However, few studies focused on the medical resources crisis during the outbreaks.Added value of this studyTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the facemask shortage during the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) outbreak in China. We have summarized in detail the management strategies implemented by the Chinese governments during the outbreaks. By considering three scenarios for the outbreak development, we simulated the facemasks availability from late-December 2019 to late-April 2020 and estimated the duration of sufficient facemask supplies. Our findings showed that if the COVID-19 outbreak occurred only in Wuhan city or Hubei province, facemask shortage would not appear with the existing public health measures. However, if the outbreak occurred in the whole of China, a shortage of facemask could be substantial assuming no alternative public health measures.Implications of all the available evidenceOur findings provide insight into the public health measures to confront medical resources crisis during infectious disease outbreaks. Effective public health measures should consider the adequacy and affordability of existing medical resources. Governments across the world should revisit their emergency plans for controlling infectious disease outbreaks by taking into account the supply of and demand for the medical resource. Global collaboration should be strengthened to prevent the development of a global pandemic from a regional epidemic via easing the medical resources crisis in the affected countries.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts on U.S. Hospice Agencies: A National Survey of Hospice Nurses and Physicians

2021 ◽  
pp. 104990912198998
Author(s):  
Janna E. Baker Rogers ◽  
Lori A. Constantine ◽  
Jesse M. Thompson ◽  
Charles T. Mupamombe ◽  
Jennifer M. Vanin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hospice Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Psychosocial Effects ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Hospice Nurses ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Background: Hospice agencies face unique challenges during times of widespread public health emergencies. The pandemic of novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 is widely affecting global healthcare systems. Aim: This study assesses effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. hospice agencies, staff, and patients as reported by hospice agency staff. Design: An anonymous electronic survey was developed. Free-text comments were assessed for impacts on hospice agencies, staff, and patients and their families. Setting/Participants: The target audience was members of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association who self-identified as being active with hospice agencies in the United States. Results: Reported impacts include inadequate supplies of personal protective equipment, changes in hospice services, and decreased access by hospice personnel to patients in long term care facilities. Flow of patients through hospice care settings was impeded. Agencies experienced changes in workforce availability and increased emotional support needs of staff. Patient and families experienced increased bereavement needs. Nearly one-third of respondents reported negative effects on patient outcomes, such as inadequate symptom management and negative psychosocial effects. Conclusion: Respondents indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative effects on both hospice patient care and hospice agency functioning. Hospice agencies appear to face challenges unique among U.S. healthcare agencies due to their service delivery model and focus on interdisciplinary care. There is need for further exploration of the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has on hospice agencies in order to improve care for their patient population during public health emergencies.

scholarly journals COVID-19–Related Rumor Content, Transmission, and Clarification Strategies in China: Descriptive Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peishan Ning ◽  
Peixia Cheng ◽  
Jie Li ◽  
Ming Zheng ◽  
David C Schwebel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Popular Science ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Medical Supplies ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

BACKGROUND Given the permeation of social media throughout society, rumors spread faster than ever before, which significantly complicates government responses to public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine the characteristics and propagation of rumors during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in China and evaluated the effectiveness of health authorities’ release of correction announcements. METHODS We retrieved rumors widely circulating on social media in China during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and assessed the effectiveness of official government clarifications and popular science articles refuting those rumors. RESULTS We show that the number of rumors related to the COVID-19 pandemic fluctuated widely in China between December 1, 2019 and April 15, 2020. Rumors mainly occurred in 3 provinces: Hubei, Zhejiang, and Guangxi. Personal social media accounts constituted the major source of media reports of the 4 most widely distributed rumors (the novel coronavirus can be prevented with “Shuanghuanglian”: 7648/10,664, 71.7%; the novel coronavirus is the SARS coronavirus: 14,696/15,902, 92.4%; medical supplies intended for assisting Hubei were detained by the local government: 3911/3943, 99.2%; asymptomatically infected persons were regarded as diagnosed COVID-19 patients with symptoms in official counts: 322/323, 99.7%). The number of rumors circulating was positively associated with the severity of the COVID-19 epidemic (ρ=0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.93). The release of correction articles was associated with a substantial decrease in the proportion of rumor reports compared to accurate reports. The proportions of negative sentiments appearing among comments by citizens in response to media articles disseminating rumors and disseminating correct information differ insignificantly (both correct reports: χ<sub>1</sub><sup>2</sup>=0.315, <i>P</i>=.58; both rumors: χ<sub>1</sub><sup>2</sup>=0.025, <i>P</i>=.88; first rumor and last correct report: χ<sub>1</sub><sup>2</sup>=1.287, <i>P</i>=.26; first correct report and last rumor: χ<sub>1</sub><sup>2</sup>=0.033, <i>P</i>=.86). CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the importance and urgency of monitoring and correcting false or misleading reports on websites and personal social media accounts. The circulation of rumors can influence public health, and government bodies should establish guidelines to monitor and mitigate the negative impact of such rumors.

scholarly journals A PRACTICAL STUDY ON LOGISTICS RESPONSE TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF FINE MANAGEMENT—TAKING LOGISTICS SUPPORT OFFICE OF CHINA UNIVERSITY OF GEOSCIENCES (WUHAN) AS AN EXAMPLE

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
LI XU ◽  
LUN LI
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Colleges And Universities ◽  
Healthy Development ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
The World ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Face ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The healthy development of higher education cannot be separated from the strong support and guarantee of university logistics. In the face of public health emergencies, if we want to further strengthen the function of logistics support and support in colleges and universities, and enhance the awareness and ability of coping, we should first start with delicacy management. After the baptism of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) epidemic, it is necessary for the logistics of universities to sum up their experience carefully, make good plans ahead of time, and make full response and preparation for all kinds of public health emergencies that may occur in the future. And this provides Chinese wisdom and Chinese plan for colleges and universities around the world to deal with public health emergencies.

scholarly journals Scarce Health-care Resources and Higher Case-fatality Rates Early in an Epidemic: Analysis of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in Tianmen.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jijia Hu ◽  
Zongwei Zhang ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Yingang Zhang ◽  
Juan Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Medical Resources ◽  
Health Care Resources ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Per Capita

Abstract Background Tianmen had the highest case-fatality rate (CFR) among all the cities in China early in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but little is known about the details of the epidemic in Tianmen. Our study aims to reveal the causes of the high CFR from the aspects of clinical features, medical resources, and epidemic situation.Methods In this study, we report the admission and outcomes of 341 patients with confirmed COVID-19 who were admitted and hospitalized in the hospital (The First People's Hospital of Tianmen) from January 14 to February 25, 2020. Epidemic information and medical resources across different regions were collected and compared. Results All deaths from COVID-19 in Tianmen occurred in the hospital, and the proportion of patients with critical (8.5%) symptoms in the hospital is higher than the average in China. In addition, the number of affected patients in Tianmen is quite low, but the hospital and the whole city had the highest CFR in the early stage of the epidemic. Completely different from the stable CFR in Hubei Province, the CFR of COVID-19 in the hospital and city dropped dramatically, from the largest value in China to a more average level, within a few days. Analysis of government public documents showed that the per capita medical resources in Tianmen are worse than those of Wuhan and Hubei. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the inadequate capacity to respond to public health emergencies caused by relatively scarce health-care resources is a crucial factor contributing to the higher CFR of infectious diseases in regions with lower economic levels. Such countries and territories should implement strategies earlier to minimize the danger of COVID-19.

scholarly journals OUTBREAK, EPIDEMIOLOGY, THERAPEUTICS AND PREVENTION OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE-2019: A REVIEW

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
ZULFKAR LATIEF QADRIE ◽  
SHAHID UD DIN WANI ◽  
SURYA PRAKASH GAUTAM ◽  
M. KHALID AHMED KHAN
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
The Other ◽  
Short Report ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Wuhan City ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Patient Diagnosis ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Positive Results

The outbreak of pneumonia of unknown cause during December 2019 was reported from Wuhan City, Hubei province capital in China as its epicenter. Symptoms of pneumonia in several patients admitted to hospitals from Wuhan, China during December 2019. The sudden increase in the patients having the same symptoms, in due course the contributing means was isolated from the infected populace. In the present short report, we have summarized various public health measures, viz., early marking of the suspected patient, diagnosis, and supervision of the suspected cases that will help prevent Coronavirus disease in 2019. At the start, it was named as the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), and later it has been named Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recently. Within a few weeks of a short period, the virus affected the other of China after Wuhan and later in two to three months, it is present in more than 140 countries around the globe and adding. As of 03rd August 2020, there have been 17.6 million established cases worldwide, and 680, 894 deaths have been documented, with 11,460,074 recovered. Worldwide, multiple trails are going on with the hope to find the treatment and some have positive results. On the other hand, because no vaccine is offered, the precautionary methods are the best way to fight the virus.

scholarly journals Readiness and early response to COVID-19: achievements, challenges and lessons learnt in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. e005581
Author(s):  
Betty Lanyero ◽  
Zewdu Assefa Edea ◽  
Emmanuel Onuche Musa ◽  
Shambel Habebe Watare ◽  
Mayur Lalji Mandalia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
International Health ◽  
Early Response ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Coordination Mechanism ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Lessons Learnt ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
High Level

Declaration of the novel coronavirus disease as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern necessitated countries to get ready to respond. Here, we describe key achievements, challenges and lessons learnt during the readiness and early response to COVID-19 in Ethiopia. Readiness activities commenced as early as January 2020 with the activation of a national Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and COVID-19 Incident Management System (IMS) by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute. The COVID-19 IMS conducted rapid risk assessments, developed scenario-based contingency plans, national COVID-19 guidelines and facilitated the enhancement of early warning and monitoring mechanisms. Early activation of a coordination mechanism and strengthening of detection and response capacities contributed to getting the country ready on time and mounting an effective early response. High-level political leadership and commitment led to focused efforts in coordination of response interventions. Health screening, mandatory 14-day quarantine and testing established for all international travellers arriving into the country slowed down the influx of travellers. The International Health Regulations (IHR) capacities in the country served as a good foundation for timely readiness and response. Leveraging on existing IHR capacities in the country built prior to COVID-19 helped slow down the importation and mitigated uncontrolled spread of the disease in the country. Challenges experienced included late operationalisation of a multisectoral coordination platform, shortage of personal protective equipment resulting from global disruption of importation and the huge influx of over 10 000 returnees from different COVID-19-affected countries over a short period of time with resultant constrain on response resources.

Surviving the stigma: lessons learnt for the prevention of COVID-19 stigma and its mental health impact

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-149
Author(s):  
Shweta Singh ◽  
Saniya Bhutani ◽  
Huma Fatima
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Prevention Methods

Purpose The spread of novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has affected more than four million lives worldwide. Unfortunately, incidents of stigmatisation associated with COVID-19 are being reported worldwide. Studies conducted during and after public health emergencies because of communicable diseases have highlighted the development of stigmatisation and associated mental health consequences. This study aims to explore the past pandemics and current incidents of stigmatisation to understand COVID-19 stigma, its mental health impact and how they can be prevented by using primary and secondary prevention methods. Design/methodology/approach Researches were shortlisted using keywords such as “infectious diseases and mental health”, “COVID 19 stigma and mental health”, “Contagious disease stigma” and “mental health of survivors”. Findings Studies conducted during and after public health emergencies because of communicable diseases have highlighted the development of stigmatisation and associated mental health consequences. The emphasis is on universal prevention of stigmatization. Early psychological intervention may reduce the long-term psychological effects of the illness and reduction of stigma may contribute to treatment. Originality/value This paper predicts the chances of stigmatisation that COVID-19 survivors may face and possible strategies to prevent it.

An in-depth analysis of 10 epidemiological terminologies used in the context of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 140349482110577
Author(s):  
Sathyanarayanan Doraiswamy ◽  
Ravinder Mamtani ◽  
Sohaila Cheema
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Epidemiology And Public Health

Aim: In this paper, we explore the contextual use of 10 epidemiological terminologies, their significance, and interpretation/misinterpretation in explaining various aspects of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods and Results: We first establish the different purposes of the terms ‘pandemic’ and ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern.’ We then discuss the confusion caused by using the ‘case fatality rate’ as opposed to ‘infection fatality rate’ during the pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding the limited usefulness of identifying someone as ‘pre-symptomatic.’ We highlight the ambiguity in the ‘positivity rate’ and the need to be able to generate data on ‘excess mortality’ during public health emergencies. We discuss the relevance of ‘association and causation’ in the context of the facemask controversy that existed at the start of the pandemic. We point out how the accepted epidemiological practice of discussing ‘herd immunity’ in the context of vaccines has been twisted to suit the political motive of a public health approach. Given that a high proportion of COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic, we go on to show how COVID-19 has blurred the lines between ‘screening/diagnosis’ and ‘quarantine/isolation,’ while giving birth to the new terminology of ‘community quarantine.’ Conclusions: Applying the lessons learned from COVID-19 to better understand the above terminologies will help health professionals communicate effectively, strengthen the scientific agenda of epidemiology and public health, and support and manage future outbreaks efficiently.

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