Focused Review: Potential Rare and Atypical Symptoms as Indicator for Targeted COVID-19 Screening

The global pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 is a known consequence of infection of severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has affected nations worldwide with soaring number of cases daily. Symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting are commonly presented in COVID-19 patients. This focused review aims to discuss these uncommon and atypical COVID-19 symptoms that may be presented which might affect neurological, cardiovascular, cutaneous and ocular systems and their possible mode of actions. Nonetheless, there are some cases of reported uncommon or atypical symptoms which may warrant healthcare professionals to be aware of, especially when in contact with patients. The knowledge and information concerning these symptoms might be able to provide additional cues for healthcare professional by subjecting patients to COVID-19 screening. Meanwhile, it might be able to further enhance the alertness and additional precautions being taken by healthcare personnel, which eventually lead to reduced risk of infections.

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Contribution to Lab Errors as a Healthcare Professional

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i34b31865 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 242-248

Author(s):

Sanjyoti Panchbudhe ◽

Shilpa Kumar

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professional ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Shared Responsibility ◽

Healthcare Personnel ◽

Doctor Who ◽

Report Generation ◽

Laboratory Errors ◽

Specimen Collection ◽

Healthcare It ◽

Laboratory Investigations

With the emergence of new diagnostic markers every day, laboratory investigations have become an essential and integral part of healthcare. It is prudent to ensure that this dependence on diagnosis and treatment in laboratories is serious and responsible. This responsibility does not lie solely within the confines of a laboratory but extends to any healthcare personnel involved in the process of report generation. Reviews revolving around this topic focus on the laboratory's roles and conclude with the emphasis on paying attention to the extra-analytical phases. In this review, we attempt to expand our audience to include all healthcare professionals and highlight their role in increasing or minimizing laboratory errors. The process of creating a reliable report will be viewed as a shared responsibility. This includes the patient who has the responsibility to follow the direction given before specimen collection and extends to the doctor who interprets the results, keeping in mind all the inherent limitations that a test encompasses.

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Assessment of Knowledge, Practice and Attitude about Biomedical Waste Management among Healthcare Professionals during COVID-19 Crises in Al-Ahsa

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9060747 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 747

Author(s):

Sahbanathul Missiriya Jalal ◽

Fahima Akhter ◽

Amal Ismael Abdelhafez ◽

Ahmed Mansour Alrajeh

Keyword(s):

Work Experience ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Demographic Variables ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Biomedical Waste ◽

Respiratory Therapists ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Before And After ◽

Knowledge Practice

Biomedical waste (BMW) management is an essential practice of healthcare professionals (HCPs) for preventing health and also environmental hazards. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic, posing significant challenges for healthcare sectors. A cross-sectional study was performed to assess the knowledge, practice, and attitude on BMW management among HCPs when taking care of patients with COVID-19 and associated with demographic variables. From Al-Ahsa healthcare sectors, 256 HCPs were selected randomly, of which 105 (41%) had excellent knowledge, 87 (34%) had good knowledge, and 64 (25%) had poor knowledge with a mean score of 13.1 ± 3.6. A higher mean score was (14.4 ± 3.2) obtained by physicians, and (13.6 ± 3.8) nurses than the other HCPs. Regarding practice, 72 (28.1%) HCPs used and discarded PPE while handling biomedical wastes. Additionally, 88 (34.4%) followed proper hand hygiene before and after each procedure and whenever needed. Physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists had a more favorable attitude than other HCPs. There was a statistically significant association found among knowledge level and educational qualification (p < 0.0001), gender (p < 0.001), and work experience (p < 0.05). Emphasis is needed to train all HCPs regarding proper BMW management during this pandemic to prevent infection transmission.

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‘Long COVID’ syndrome

BMJ Case Reports ◽

10.1136/bcr-2020-241485 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. e241485

Author(s):

Priyal Taribagil ◽

Dean Creer ◽

Hasan Tahir

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Cognitive Deficits ◽

Recent Literature ◽

Complex Case ◽

Shortness Of Breath ◽

Gastrointestinal Dysfunction ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Public Health Crisis ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Poor Memory

SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in a global pandemic and an unprecedented public health crisis. Recent literature suggests the emergence of a novel syndrome known as ‘long COVID’, a term used to describe a diverse set of symptoms that persist after a minimum of 4 weeks from the onset of a diagnosed COVID-19 infection. Common symptoms include persistent breathlessness, fatigue and cough. Other symptoms reported include chest pain, palpitations, neurological and cognitive deficits, rashes, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. We present a complex case of a previously well 28-year-old woman who was diagnosed with COVID-19. After resolution of her acute symptoms, she continued to experience retrosternal discomfort, shortness of breath, poor memory and severe myalgia. Investigations yielded no significant findings. Given no alternative diagnosis, she was diagnosed with ‘long COVID’.

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COVID-19 global pandemic planning: Dry heat incubation and ambient temperature fail to consistently inactivate SARS-CoV-2 on N95 respirators

Experimental Biology and Medicine ◽

10.1177/1535370220977819 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 153537022097781

Author(s):

Douglas J Perkins ◽

Robert A Nofchissey ◽

Chunyan Ye ◽

Nathan Donart ◽

Alison Kell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ambient Temperature ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Healthcare Personnel ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Dry Heat ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Individual Site ◽

Pandemic Planning ◽

N95 Respirators

The ongoing pandemic of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has placed a substantial strain on the supply of personal protective equipment, particularly the availability of N95 respirators for frontline healthcare personnel. These shortages have led to the creation of protocols to disinfect and reuse potentially contaminated personal protective equipment. A simple and inexpensive decontamination procedure that does not rely on the use of consumable supplies is dry heat incubation. Although reprocessing with this method has been shown to maintain the integrity of N95 respirators after multiple decontamination procedures, information on the ability of dry heat incubation to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 is largely unreported. Here, we show that dry heat incubation does not consistently inactivate SARS-CoV-2-contaminated N95 respirators, and that variation in experimental conditions can dramatically affect viability of the virus. Furthermore, we show that SARS-CoV-2 can survive on N95 respirators that remain at room temperature for at least five days. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that dry heat incubation procedures and ambient temperature for five days are not viable methods for inactivating SARS-CoV-2 on N95 respirators for potential reuse. We recommend that decontamination procedures being considered for the reuse of N95 respirators be validated at each individual site and that validation of the process must be thoroughly conducted using a defined protocol.

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What are the risk factors for avoidable transitions in the last year of life? A qualitative exploration of professionals’ perspectives for improving care in Germany

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06138-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alina Kasdorf ◽

◽

Gloria Dust ◽

Vera Vennedey ◽

Christian Rietz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professional ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Information Power ◽

Care Services ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Nursing Services ◽

Value Based Care ◽

Qualitative Exploration

Abstract Background Little is known about the nature of patients’ transitions between healthcare settings in the last year of life (LYOL) in Germany. Patients often experience transitions between different healthcare settings, such as hospitals and long-term facilities including nursing homes and hospices. The perspective of healthcare professionals can therefore provide information on transitions in the LYOL that are avoidable from a medical perspective. This study aims to explore factors influencing avoidable transitions across healthcare settings in the LYOL and to disclose how these could be prevented. Methods Two focus groups (n = 11) and five individual interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals working in hospitals, hospices and nursing services from Cologne, Germany. They were asked to share their observations about avoidable transitions in the LYOL. The data collection continued until the point of information power was reached and were audio recorded and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Four factors for potentially avoidable transitions between care settings in the LYOL were identified: healthcare system, organization, healthcare professional, patient and relatives. According to the participants, the most relevant aspects that can aid in reducing unnecessary transitions include timely identification and communication of the LYOL; consideration of palliative care options; availability and accessibility of care services; and having a healthcare professional taking main responsibility for care planning. Conclusions Preventing avoidable transitions by considering the multicomponent factors related to them not only immediately before death but also in the LYOL could help to provide more value-based care for patients and improving their quality of life.

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A Systematic Review of Characteristics Associated with COVID-19 in Children with Typical Presentation and with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18168269 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (16) ◽

pp. 8269

Author(s):

Jeffrey Kornitzer ◽

Jacklyn Johnson ◽

Max Yang ◽

Keith W. Pecor ◽

Nicholas Cohen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Sore Throat ◽

Literature Search ◽

Clinical Presentation ◽

Pediatric Population ◽

Chinese Language ◽

Clinical Information ◽

Shortness Of Breath ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Inflammatory Syndrome

Setting off a global pandemic, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been marked by a heterogeneous clinical presentation that runs the gamut from asymptomatic to severe and fatal. Although less lethal in children than adults, COVID-19 has nonetheless afflicted the pediatric population. This systematic review used clinical information from published literature to assess the spectrum of COVID-19 presentation in children, with special emphasis on characteristics associated with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). An electronic literature search for English and Chinese language articles in COVIDSeer, MEDLINE, and PubMed from 1 January 2020 through 1 March 2021 returned 579 records, of which 54 were included for full evaluation. Out of the total 4811 patients, 543 (11.29%) exhibited MIS-C. The most common symptoms across all children were fever and sore throat. Children presenting with MIS-C were less likely to exhibit sore throat and respiratory symptoms (i.e., cough, shortness of breath) compared to children without MIS-C. Inflammatory (e.g., rash, fever, and weakness) and gastrointestinal (e.g., nausea/vomiting and diarrhea) symptoms were present to a greater extent in children with both COVID-19 and MIS-C, suggesting that children testing positive for COVID-19 and exhibiting such symptoms should be evaluated for MIS-C.

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Conceptualizing Narrative Health and Medicine to Develop Cultural Competence to Improve Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal ◽

10.14738/assrj.81.9577 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 32-36

Author(s):

Kent Willis ◽

Colleen Marzilli

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professional ◽

Cultural Competence ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Patient Care ◽

Patient Outcomes ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Important Concept ◽

Healthcare Environment ◽

Health Narrative ◽

Improve Patient

Narrative health is a technique that healthcare professionals can use to connect with patients. The events of 2020, including the global severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), have identified that patient care is largely dependent upon relationships within the healthcare environment. Relationships in the healthcare environment are established through a trusting exchange between the patient and provider, and one technique to develop this relationship and trust is through narrative health. Narrative health provides the exchange of information between patient and provider in a discussion-like manner, or narrative health. This strategy promotes cultural competence amongst the healthcare professional team and improves communication between the patient and provider. Narrative health is an important concept for healthcare professionals to understand, and narrative health should be a part of any healthcare professional’s toolbox, especially in vulnerable times like the COVID pandemic. The inclusion of narrative health in practice has the potential to improve patient outcomes and empower healthcare professionals and patients.

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Translational Education

Biomedicine Hub ◽

10.1159/000481127 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (Suppl. 1) ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Denis Horgan ◽

Daniel Schneider ◽

Gabriella Pravettoni ◽

Angelo Paradiso ◽

Louis Denis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professional ◽

Great Degree ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Education And Training ◽

And Training ◽

Lack Of Knowledge

The issue of translational education of healthcare professionals is a major one. It is clear that a great degree of upskilling is already required and, to keep pace with the science, this must be ongoing. Stakeholders need to achieve this together - with agreed-on standards across the board so that no patient is denied a suitable, virtually tailor-made treatment due to a lack of knowledge or understanding on behalf of the healthcare professional treating and diagnosing him or her. A key partner in tackling this is the healthcare community, and one way to achieve the goal is through increased EU-wide investment in translational education and training of healthcare professionals.

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Exploring ethical aspects of elective surgery patients’ decision-making experiences

Nursing Ethics ◽

10.1177/0969733012448967 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 672-683 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Mei-Ling Lin ◽

Chuen-Teng Huang ◽

Hsien-Hsien Chiang ◽

Ching-Huey Chen

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Informed Consent ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Elective Surgery ◽

Phenomenological Approach ◽

Healthcare Personnel ◽

Decision Making Process ◽

Ethical Aspects ◽

Southern Taiwan ◽

Colaizzi's Method

The practice of respecting patients’ autonomy is rooted in the healthcare professionals’ empathy for patients’ situations, without which appropriate supports to the patients during the informed consent process may be remarkably moderated. The purpose of this study was to explore elective surgery patients’ experiences during their decision-making process. This research was conducted using a phenomenological approach, and the data analysis was guided by Colaizzi’s method. A total of 17 participants were recruited from a hospital in southern Taiwan. Two major themes emerged from the analyses: (a) a voluntary yet necessary alternative—to undergo a surgery and (b) alternatives compelled by the unalterable decision—the surgery. It was concluded that unless healthcare professionals can empathize with the distressed situation of their patients who are facing elective surgery, the practice of informed consent may become merely a routine. Nurses can be the best advocates for patients and facilitators to enhance communication between patients and healthcare personnel.

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Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Considering “Freebirth” During Covid-19

Frontiers in Global Women's Health ◽

10.3389/fgwh.2021.603744 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Mari Greenfield ◽

Sophie Payne-Gifford ◽

Gemma McKenzie

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professional ◽

Online Survey ◽

Specific Effect ◽

Service Planning ◽

Emotional Wellbeing ◽

Time Data ◽

Queer Women ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Global North ◽

The Uk

Background: The global coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic concerns all people, but has a specific effect on those who are expecting a baby during this time. The advice in the UK changed rapidly, with 14 different sets of national guidance issued within 1 month. Individual NHS Trusts released various guidance relating to the withdrawal of homebirth services, the closure of birth centers, restrictions on the number of birth partners (if any) allowed during labor, and whether any visitors were allowed to attend after birth. With the landscape of maternity care changing so rapidly, research was carried out to provide real-time data to capture the lived experiences of expectant families.Methods: A mixed methods online survey was carried out over 2 weeks between 10th and 24th April 2020. The survey was open to those in the third trimester of pregnancy, those who had given birth since the beginning of the “lockdown” period in the UK, and the partners of pregnant women and people who were in these circumstances. The survey asked questions about how respondents' holistic antenatal experiences had been affected, whether their plans for birth had changed, and the effect of these changes on respondents' emotional wellbeing. Of the 1,700 responses received, 72 mentioned that they had seriously considered “freebirthing” (giving birth without a healthcare professional present).Findings: An analysis of the respondents' reasons for considering freebirth was conducted, finding that reasons for considering freebirth were complex and multifaceted. Lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, and queer women were more likely to have considered freebirth than heterosexual people (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Considering giving birth without a healthcare professional present is unusual in the Global North and represents an emerging field of study. The literature examining the reasons that people consider freebirth shows a variety of underlying motivations. A global pandemic represents a new factor in such considerations. The findings from this research can help inform maternity service planning in future crises.

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