scholarly journals Early Phase Management of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in the Geographic Area of the Veneto Region, in One of the World’s Oldest Populations

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 9045
Author(s):  
Alessandro Camerotto ◽  
Andrea Sartorio ◽  
Anna Mazzetto ◽  
Milena Gusella ◽  
Ornella Luppi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Veneto Region ◽  
Local Health Unit ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Italian Regions ◽  
The Right

The first cases of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) were reported on 21 February in the small town of Vo’ near Padua in the Veneto region of Italy. This event led to 19,286 infected people in the region by 30 June 2020 (39.30 cases/10,000 inhabitants). Meanwhile, Rovigo Local Health Unit n. 5 (ULSS 5), bordering areas with high epidemic rates and having one of the world’s oldest populations, registered the lowest infection rates in the region (19.03 cases/10,000 inhabitants). The aim of this study was to describe timing and event management by ULSS 5 in preventing the propagation of infection within the timeframe spanning from 21 February to 30 June. Our analysis considered age, genetic clusters, sex, orography, the population density, pollution, and economic activities linked to the pandemic, according to the literature. The ULSS 5 Health Director General’s quick decision-making in the realm of public health, territorial assistance, and retirement homes were key to taking the right actions at the right time. Indeed, the number of isolated cases in the Veneto region was the highest among all the Italian regions at the beginning of the epidemic. Moreover, the implementation of molecular diagnostic tools, which were initially absent, enabled health care experts to make quick diagnoses. Quick decision-making, timely actions, and encouraging results were achieved thanks to a solid chain of command, despite a somewhat unclear legislative environment. In conclusion, we believe that the containment of the epidemic depends on the time factor, coupled with a strong sense of awareness and discretion in the Health Director General’s decision-making. Moreover, real-time communication with operating units and institutions goes hand in hand with the common goal of protecting public health.

From epidemiology to public health decision making: analysis on IMD & vaccination strategy in Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Igidbashian ◽  
F Caracci ◽  
P Bonanni ◽  
P Castiglia ◽  
M Conversano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Vaccination Strategy ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Steady Increase ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Disease ◽  
Preventable Disease ◽  
Italian Regions ◽  
Age Range

Abstract Introduction Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) is one of the most severe vaccine-preventable disease, with high fatality rate and severe sequelae in up to 20% of survivors. MenB, MenC and MenACWY vaccines are available in Italy, but recommendations vary among Italian regions in terms of type of vaccines and targeted age groups. The aim of the study is to describe epidemiology of IMDs in order to provide the best vaccination strategy. Methods IMDs surveillance data in the period 2011-2017 from the Italian National Health Institute were explored. Excel was used to present trend analysis, stratifying by age and serogroups. Results In Italy, during the period 2011-2017, IMDs overall incidence increased from 0.25 cases/100,000 inhabitants in 2011 to 0.33 in 2017. Most cases after 2013 were caused by non-B serogroups (52%, 52%, 66%, 64%, 59% from 2013 to 2017). Although incidence is highest in 1 years old children, the number of cases is highest in the age range 25-64. The number of cases in this age-range had a steady increase after 2013 (36 cases in 2011, 79 in 2017), with serogroups C, W and Y present in more than 65% of cases in 25+ age ranges after 2012. Conclusions IMD is a rare but severe vaccine-preventable disease. The key role of public health is to monitor disease serogroups, trends and outbreaks and strengthen methodological evidence-based tools for decision-making processes, public health policies, planning of healthcare services and intervention measures, including immunization. The increase in incidence shown in the period 2011-2017 in Italy, although probably due to better surveillance, highlighted the high circulation also of non-B serogroups and the importance of the disease in the adult population. Based on our analysis we believe that anti-meningococcal vaccination plan in Italy should include the highest number of preventable serogroups and be aimed to the whole population through a multicohort strategy, including boosters in children and in adults. Key messages Anti-meningococcal vaccination plan in Italy should include all the preventable serogroups and be aimed to the whole population with a multicohort strategy including boosters in children and in adults. The increase in incidence of IMD in the period 2011-2017 in Italy highlighted the high circulation also of non-B serogroups and the importance of the disease in the adult population.

International health assistance in relief operations: preparing local health personnel to meet the challenge

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (284) ◽  
pp. 513-523
Author(s):  
Claude de Ville de Goyet
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Personnel ◽  
International Health ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Affected Area ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
Critical Coverage

Disasters are not merely very large accidents. They imply complex public health problems that must be resolved under difficult circumstances: society's normal coping mechanisms are disrupted; the high visibility and critical coverage provided by the mass media make the situation politically sensitive; logistic nightmares abound; the multi-agency response from outside the affected area is often poorly coordinated. In short, decision-making in a climate of uncertainty is the norm. Information management, not the medical management of patients, is often the main challenge facing health managers and volunteers in the initial or relief stage of a disaster.

Less is more when reducing antimicrobial prescribing

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 452-455
Author(s):  
Gail Haddock
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Practice Nurses ◽  
Less Is More ◽  
Antimicrobial Prescribing ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Right

As primary care is the main provider of antimicrobial prescriptions, knowing when and what to prescribe, and for how long, is hugely important to public health. Gail Haddock shares useful resources and toolkits to help practice nurses in their decision making Clinicians have reduced their antimicrobial prescribing by 6% in the past 5 years, but this is not enough to overcome the ever-increasing antimicrobial resistance that is a threat to modern medicine. The UK's new target is to reduce prescribing by a further 15% by 2020. This can only be achieved by the commitment of the full general practice team to only prescribe at the right time (ie only if necessary), and the right dose of the right antibiotic for the right length of time. There are numerous excellent resources for patients and clinicians alike on the TARGET website.

Essay I Local Health Departments and a Primary Care Safety Net

2015 ◽  
pp. 216-221
Author(s):  
Robert M. Pestronk
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
The United States ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Primary Care Clinicians ◽  
The Right

Drawing on the experiences of hundreds of public health and primary care clinicians from across the United States, this book explains why population health is receiving so much attention from policy makers in states and federal agencies, the practical steps that clinicians and public health professionals can take to work together to meet the needs of their community, signs that you are on the right track (or not) and how to sustain successes to the benefit of patients, community members, and the health care and public health teams that care for them.

P926. Two-phase early detection project in the No. 13 local health unit of the Veneto Region, Italy

The Breast ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 337
Author(s):  
M. Bari ◽  
C. Milanesi ◽  
U. Sicari ◽  
A. Rossato ◽  
L. Bertoldo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Veneto Region ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Local Health Unit

scholarly journals Laying the Groundwork for Evidence-Based Public Health: Why Some Local Health Departments Use More Evidence-Based Decision-Making Practices Than Others

2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (S2) ◽  
pp. S189-S197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kay A. Lovelace ◽  
Robert E. Aronson ◽  
Kelly L. Rulison ◽  
Jeffrey D. Labban ◽  
Gulzar H. Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Local Health Departments ◽  
Evidence Based Decision Making

scholarly journals Effective Consumer Consultation in the Planning and Delivery of  Health and Social Services: A New Zealand Case Study: A Comparative Study of the Theory and Practice of Government Organisations in Engaging Consumers in Consultation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Julz Britnell
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Services ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
World Health ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Planning Decisions ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Right

<p>About 600 million people in the world live with disabilities (World Health Organisation, 2007). Over the past ten years there has been increasing calls for government organisations in the health and disability sector to involve consumers in their decision-making, service design and general governance. This has led government health and disability organisations in different countries to try and find ways to ensure consumers are consulted with and involved in decision-making processes (Coney, 2004). The potential benefits of effective consumer consultation are better quality services, policy and planning decisions that a more consumer focused, improved communications and greater ownership of the local health services. For consumers effective consultation can mean they get better outcomes of treatment and support, a more accessible and responsive service and improved health. For the community consultation can help bring about a reduction in health inequalities and provide a health service better able to meet the needs of its constituents (Anderson et al., 2002). There are a number of real and perceived barriers to consumer consultation. Consumers may be anxious that their views will not be taken seriously, that they will look foolish or that they won’t understand what’s being talked about. Staff and organisations might be anxious that their work will be criticised, that there will be unrealistic demands to change services or that their role and authority might be undermined (Fletcher & Bradburn, 2001). For consultation to work there needs to be commitment from the organisation to plan and provide adequate resources. Developing a strategy is critical before organisations start down this path. The UK Audit Commission (2003) believe developing a strategy will help organisations to define exactly what the purpose of the consultation is, what they want to achieve, help them identify the relevant stakeholders and assess what level of engagement to undertake. Consultation is an important part of designing, delivering and managing effective health and social services. There are many different ways of engaging consumers and finding the right way for each organisation takes planning, commitment, time and energy.</p>

scholarly journals Empowering seizures awareness: knowledge, attitudes and fears of school staff trained in rescue drugs

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Pompili ◽  
F Bert ◽  
A Corradi ◽  
M R Gualano ◽  
S Venuti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rescue Medication ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
School Staff ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Local Health Unit ◽  
Job Experience ◽  
School Year ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background The administration of rescue medication at school concerns, in all Europe, students suffering from chronic pathologies for which it may be essential, on doctor's prescription, to take therapy during school hours. About 16% of the school's emergency calls are related to a seizure crisis. In this case, since the parents are absent, the first rescuer is necessarily the school staff, who should be properly trained because prolonged seizures can cause severe harm and even death. Methods Every year, the Local Health Unit “TO3”, in Northern Italy, provides training for school staff to administrate rescue medication at school. A questionnaire survey on knowledge, attitudes and fears towards seizures was conducted during the school year 2019/2020. The same questionnaire was administered to school staff trained for seizures at the end of the course, while the staff trained for other diseases such as diabetes, allergies and asthma completed it before the course. Results 110 questionnaires have been completed. About 60% of the sample had been trained in seizure management at least once in their lifetime. The respondents had a mean age of 48.7±9.6 years and a mean job experience of 17.4±11.2 years. Most of them were females (83%). Median knowledge score (10 points max) in subjects with no seizures training was 6, while it was 8.5 in subjects with seizures training (p &lt; 0.001). The self-reported level of confidence in their own skills to administer rescue medication was high in 10.4% of subjects not trained for seizures and in 63.8% of those trained (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions Results suggest that medical training for school staff boosts knowledge scores and levels of self-confidence relating to the administration of rescue medication. Moreover, after the training, the school staff changed attitude towards seizures, no longer considered as a problem, and became more aware, less fearful, and more inclined to act in case of need, making school a safer place for all students. Key messages School staff trained in the administration of rescue medication are fundamental to guarantee the right to education for students suffering from chronic pathologies such as seizures. Empowering seizures awareness in schools is very important to change the attitude of school staff no longer considering seizures as a problem, making school a safer place for all European students.

scholarly journals Effective Consumer Consultation in the Planning and Delivery of  Health and Social Services: A New Zealand Case Study: A Comparative Study of the Theory and Practice of Government Organisations in Engaging Consumers in Consultation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Julz Britnell
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Services ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
World Health ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Planning Decisions ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Right

<p>About 600 million people in the world live with disabilities (World Health Organisation, 2007). Over the past ten years there has been increasing calls for government organisations in the health and disability sector to involve consumers in their decision-making, service design and general governance. This has led government health and disability organisations in different countries to try and find ways to ensure consumers are consulted with and involved in decision-making processes (Coney, 2004). The potential benefits of effective consumer consultation are better quality services, policy and planning decisions that a more consumer focused, improved communications and greater ownership of the local health services. For consumers effective consultation can mean they get better outcomes of treatment and support, a more accessible and responsive service and improved health. For the community consultation can help bring about a reduction in health inequalities and provide a health service better able to meet the needs of its constituents (Anderson et al., 2002). There are a number of real and perceived barriers to consumer consultation. Consumers may be anxious that their views will not be taken seriously, that they will look foolish or that they won’t understand what’s being talked about. Staff and organisations might be anxious that their work will be criticised, that there will be unrealistic demands to change services or that their role and authority might be undermined (Fletcher & Bradburn, 2001). For consultation to work there needs to be commitment from the organisation to plan and provide adequate resources. Developing a strategy is critical before organisations start down this path. The UK Audit Commission (2003) believe developing a strategy will help organisations to define exactly what the purpose of the consultation is, what they want to achieve, help them identify the relevant stakeholders and assess what level of engagement to undertake. Consultation is an important part of designing, delivering and managing effective health and social services. There are many different ways of engaging consumers and finding the right way for each organisation takes planning, commitment, time and energy.</p>

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document