scholarly journals COVID-19 pandemic: a reminder to develop forensic radiology facility

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 1593-1596
Author(s):  
Tanuj Kanchan ◽  
Ashish Saraf ◽  
Kewal Krishan ◽  
Binit Surekha ◽  
Pawan Garg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Forensic Radiology ◽  
Postmortem Examination ◽  
Legal Services ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Conventional Autopsy ◽  
Invasive Techniques ◽  
Substantial Morbidity

COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in a substantial morbidity and mortality, and has put the health system under tremendous stress. A need for devising and adopting newer methods and techniques is being emphasized in the healthcare facilities to combat the effects of the SARS-CoV-2. Besides patient care, focus needs to be laid on the effective and dignified management of the deceased and medico-legal services provided by the hospitals and medical institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the likelihood of forensic experts and autopsy personnel being exposed to SARS-CoV-2 inadvertently during the autopsy, it is recommended to resort to safer and minimally invasive techniques of postmortem examination of the dead. In this regard, employing radiological techniques for postmortem examination appears to be a promising option during the COVID-19 pandemic. An inherent advantage of postmortem radiography over conventional autopsies is the minimization of the risk of transmission of infection to the health care workers. Our correspondence highlights on the possibility of using radiological facilities as an effective replacement of high-risk conventional autopsy procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Symptoms in Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Epidemic. A Cross-Sectional Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (14) ◽  
pp. 5218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Magnavita ◽  
Giovanni Tripepi ◽  
Reparata Rosa Di Prinzio
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Care Workers

In March–April 2020, the Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic suddenly hit Italian healthcare facilities and in some of them many staff members became infected. In this work 595 health care workers from a public company were tested for Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (82 positive) and asked to complete a questionnaire on early COVID-19 symptoms. Respiratory symptoms were present in 56.1% of cases. Anosmia and dysgeusia in COVID-19 cases were found to have an odds ratio (OR) = 100.7 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 26.5–382.6) and an OR = 51.8 (95%CI 16.6–161.9), respectively. About one in three of the cases (29.3%) never manifested symptoms. Anxiety was reported by 16.6% of COVID-19 cases and depression by 20.3%, with a significant increase in the estimated risk (OR = 4.3; 95%CI = 2.4–7.4 for anxiety, OR = 3.5; 95%CI = 2.0–6.0 for depression). In cases, sleep was a significant moderating factor in the relationship between occupational stress, or organizational justice, and anxiety. The early diagnosis of COVID-19 in health care workers, must consider, in addition to respiratory disorders and fever, anosmia, dysgeusia, exhaustion, myalgias and enteric disorders. The frequency of anxiety and depression disorders in the population examined was not higher than that commonly recorded in the same company during periodic checks in the years preceding the epidemic. In COVID-19 cases there was a significant risk of anxiety, especially in those who had low sleep quality. Mental health support and improvement interventions must mainly concern workers with positive tests and should also tend to improve sleep quality.

scholarly journals Standard Operating Protocol: Operating on COVID-19 patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-71
Author(s):  
Amit Thapa ◽  
Krishna Sharma ◽  
Prabin Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Standard Operating Procedure ◽  
Neurosurgical Procedures ◽  
Gear Up ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Standard Operating ◽  
The Status

Due to lack of scientific evidence, guidelines cannot be formulated. Hence this protocol would serve as STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) for performing neurosurgical procedures on COVID-19 suspect, probable or positive cases. This SOP is based on recommendations from various societies and experiences of the hospitals involved in care of patients with COVID-19. As the status of COVID-19 in Nepal change along with refinement in knowledge of the disease and its management, SOP would be updated. Objective is to “Serve with caution”. Nepal is presently in phase 2 of Global COVID-19 p The doubling time for active infections is shortening over the last two weeks (Figure 1). The healthcare facilities have to gear up and prepare to face the worst with the most efficient use of available resources. Neurosurgical emergencies may arise in COVID-19 patients (suspect or probable or positive) who are being managed in isolated wards or ICU. Such patients cannot be operated in routine operating rooms nor kept in routine ICU, as they pose threat of transmission of infection to other patients and health care workers (HCW). COVID-19 patients undergoing aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) pose higher risk of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Special isolation precautions should be adopted by all health care workers (HCW) with specific protocols to stay safe as well as manage the case efficiently.

scholarly journals Resuming elective surgeries in Corona pandemic from the perspective of a developing country

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yogesh Kumar Sarin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Patient Population ◽  
Elective Surgery ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Surgical Services ◽  
Care Workers

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare facilities have entered into a “crisis mode”. One of the measures used to allow hospitals to surge their capacity and serve the patient population with COVID-19 infection was the suspension of elective activity, most importantly elective surgery and other procedures. Now as the infection is fading, efforts are being made to resume elective surgical services keeping in mind the safety of the patient and health care workers. Resuming surgical services in developing countries is an uphill task. 

scholarly journals Knowledge of health care-associated infections among Georgian obstetricians and gynecologists

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (05) ◽  
pp. 329-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maia Butsashvili ◽  
George Kamkamidze ◽  
Lia Umikashvili ◽  
Lia Gvinjilia ◽  
Kartlos Kankadze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Maternity Hospitals ◽  
Health Care Associated Infections ◽  
Level Of Knowledge

Background: Knowledge of health care associated infections (HAIs) and adherence to infection control precautions in medical institutions, including obstetrics and gynecological settings, is important to prevent the transmission of infections among health care workers and patients. This study evaluated the level of knowledge of Georgian obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYN) in the field of HAIs and standard precautions. Methodology: The survey was conducted in nine maternity hospitals. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used and a summary knowledge score was created from 10 questions estimating awareness of health care workers (HCWs).  An acceptable knowledge was arbitrarily determined to be correctly answering six or more questions. Results: The total number of surveyed HCWs was 433. Of these 49.2% were physicians and 50.8% were nurses.  The data showed that 31.4% of HCWs had never received any educational intervention in the field of HAIs/safety precautions. By multivariate analysis factors related to knowledge score were age (HCWs > 35 years had higher scores), position (physicians had higher scores than nurses) and educational intervention on safety precautions.  Conclusion: This study demonstrates an acute need for educational interventions in the field of HAIs/safety precautions for HCWs in most OBGYN settings, particularly among nurses.

scholarly journals Workplace violence towards Congolese health care workers: A survey of 436 healthcare facilities in Katanga province, Democratic Republic of Congo

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basilua Andre Muzembo ◽  
Lukuke Hendrick Mbutshu ◽  
Nlandu Roger Ngatu ◽  
Kaj Francoise Malonga ◽  
Masamitsu Eitoku ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Workplace Violence ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Care Workers

Management of Varicella-Vaccinated Patients and Employees Exposed to Varicella in the Healthcare Setting

2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 538-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna J. Haiduven ◽  
Carmen P. Hench ◽  
Sandy M. Simpkins ◽  
Kathleen E. Scott ◽  
David A. Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Prodromal Symptoms ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Hospital Infection Control ◽  
Original Report ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
National Surveillance System

Varicella exposures from patients, visitors, and staff continue to occur in healthcare facilities. In a recent report from the National Surveillance System for Health Care Workers, 9 participating hospitals reported 72 varicella exposures from 1996 to 1999, involving 1,111 health-care workers. Depending on the patient and employee demographics for any particular healthcare institution, the number of these exposures can vary. Many healthcare facilities follow the guidelines of the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee for non-immune employees exposed to varicella. These guidelines recommend that such employees be excluded from duty from 8 to 21 days after exposure to varicella. There is no standard definition of what constitutes exposure to varicella, which can result in employees' being excluded from duty on one or more occasions without having contracted chickenpox. We previously reported our experience of allowing non-immune employees exposed to varicella to work while wearing masks, checking daily for prodromal symptoms, and excluding these employees from duty only if such symptoms occurred. Since our original report from 1994, we have continued this practice without adverse consequences.

scholarly journals Analysis on mental health status and needs of health care workers in designated medical institutions of tuberculosis during the epidemic period of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo-Cui Wu ◽  
Xue-Hui Fang ◽  
Li Wu ◽  
Lun-Shan Lu ◽  
Xiao-Hong Kan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Targeted Intervention ◽  
Intervention Measures ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Epidemic Period ◽  
Isolation Ward ◽  
And Control

Abstract Objective To understand the mental health status and needs of the health care workers during the epidemic period of COVID-19, so as to provide scientific basis for the targeted intervention measures. Methods A total of 511 health care workers were randomly selected from two designated tuberculosis medical institutions in Anhui province. Results There were 139 people in epidemic prevention and control positions (27.20%). Depression level: female was higher than male; nurse was higher than doctor; middle and junior job titles were higher than senior titles; junior college degree or below were higher than bachelor's degree, master's degree and above; isolation ward, fever clinic and pre-check triage were significantly higher than those of non-prevention and control positions ( P < 0.05). Loneliness scores: doctors were higher than that of medical technicians, and isolation ward, fever clinic and pre-check triage were higher than those of non-prevention and control positions ( P < 0.05). Social support: doctors were lower than that of medical technicians, and isolation ward, fever clinic and pre-check triage were significantly lower than those of non-prevention and control positions ( P < 0.05). The score of social support was negatively correlated with depression and loneliness ( P < 0.001), while depression was positively correlated with loneliness ( P < 0.001). Health care workers most want to receive one-to-one psychological counseling (29.75%), and provide crisis management (24.07%). The awareness rate of health care workers on COVID-19's knowledge was relatively high. Conclusions The psychological problems of health care workers, especially women, nurses with low educational background, low professional title, and staff in the epidemic prevention and control positions are relatively serious. We should focus on this population, and take targeted intervention measures.

scholarly journals Analysis on mental health status and needs of health care workers in designated medical institutions of tuberculosis during the epidemic period of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue-Hui Fang ◽  
Li Wu ◽  
Lun-Shan Lu ◽  
Xiao-Hong Kan ◽  
Hua Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Psychological Pressure ◽  
Depression Level ◽  
Isolation Ward ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly in China and other overseas areas, which has aroused widespread concern. The sharp increase in the number of patients has led to great psychological pressure on health care workers. The purpose of this study is to understand their mental health status and needs, so as to provide a scientific basis for alleviating the psychological pressure of health care workers.Methods Using a cross-sectional study design, 511 health care workers were randomly selected from two designated tuberculosis medical institutions in Anhui Province. The basic situation, perceived social support, depression level, loneliness and COVID-19 related knowledge were collected and analyzed by questionnaire.Results There were 139 people in epidemic prevention and control positions (27.20%). Depression level: female was higher than male; nurse was higher than doctor; middle and junior job titles were higher than senior titles; junior college degree or below were higher than bachelor's degree, master's degree and above; isolation ward, fever clinic and pre-check triage were significantly higher than those of non-prevention and control positions (P < 0.05). Loneliness scores: doctors were higher than that of medical technicians, and isolation ward, fever clinic and pre-check triage were higher than those of non-prevention and control positions (P < 0.05). Social support: doctors were lower than that of medical technicians, and isolation ward, fever clinic and pre-check triage were significantly lower than those of non-prevention and control positions (P < 0.05). The score of social support was negatively correlated with depression and loneliness (P < 0.001), while depression was positively correlated with loneliness (P < 0.001). Health care workers most want to receive one-to-one psychological counseling (29.75%), and provide crisis management (24.07%). The awareness rate of health care workers on COVID-19's knowledge was relatively high.Conclusions The psychological problems of health care workers, especially women, nurses with low educational background, low professional title, and staff in the epidemic prevention and control positions are relatively serious. We should focus on this population, and take targeted intervention measures.

Organizational Factors and Health Care Workers' Physical Safety

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Lipscomb ◽  
Jeanne Geiger-Brown ◽  
Katherine McPhaul ◽  
Karen Calabro
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Care Workers
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