Long-term impact of the Galtuer avalanche on the public health system

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-208
Author(s):  
Nina Lorenzoni, MA ◽  
Margit Raich, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Disaster Situation ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Village

On February 23, 1999, an avalanche buried large parts of the village of Galtuer Austria, killing 31 people. The purpose of this paper is to examine the longer-term impact of this avalanche on the public health system. For the case study, we used a mixed-method approach consisting of a document study and expert interviews with people who were involved in the disaster-management operations. Many long-term changes were undertaken in the context of infrastructural measures, disaster-management structures, and coordination and cooperation within the existing system to protect people and property as well as to provide important information for decision makers. The investigation reveals the importance of situational approaches to the post-disaster phase depending on the recovery needs of those affected. Moreover, the value of social capital in a disaster situation is emphasized. 

scholarly journals Long-Term Impact of Disasters on the Public Health System: A Multi-Case Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6251
Author(s):  
Nina Lorenzoni ◽  
Verena Stühlinger ◽  
Harald Stummer ◽  
Margit Raich
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
The Public ◽  
Preparedness Planning ◽  
Tunnel Fire ◽  
Long Term Impact

As past events have shown, disasters can have a tremendous impact on the affected population’s health. However, research regarding the long-term impact on a systems level perspective is still scarce. In this multi-case study, we analyzed and compared the long-term impacts on the public health system of five disasters which took place in Europe: avalanche (Austria), terror attack (Spain), airplane crash (Luxembourg), cable-car tunnel fire (Austria), and a flood in Central Europe. We used a mixed-methods approach consisting of a document analysis and interviews with key stakeholders, to examine the various long-term impacts each of the disasters had on health-system performance, as well as on security and health protection. The results show manifold changes undertaken in the fields of psychosocial support, infrastructure, and contingency and preparedness planning. The holistic approach of this study shows the importance of analyzing long-term impacts from the perspective of the type (e.g., disasters associated with natural hazards) and characteristic (e.g., duration and extent) of a disaster, as well as the regional context where a disaster took place. However, the identified recurring themes demonstrate the opportunity of learning from case studies in order to customize the lessons and apply them to the own-disaster-management setting.

scholarly journals Hypertension in Guatemala’s Public Primary Care System: A Needs Assessment Using the Health System Building Blocks Framework

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith P. Fort ◽  
William Mundo ◽  
Alejandra Paniagua-Avila ◽  
Sayra Cardona ◽  
Juan Carlos Figueroa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Needs Assessment ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Hypertension Control ◽  
The Public ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Health System Building Blocks

Abstract Background Uncontrolled hypertension represents a substantial and growing burden in Guatemala and other low and middle-income countries. As a part of the formative phase of an implementation research study, we conducted a needs assessment to define short- and long-term needs and opportunities for hypertension services within the public health system. Methods We conducted a multi-method, multi-level assessment of needs related to hypertension within Guatemala’s public system using the World Health Organization’s health system building blocks framework. We conducted semi-structured interviews with stakeholders at national (n = 17), departmental (n = 7), district (n = 25), and community (n = 30) levels and focus groups with patients (3) and frontline auxiliary nurses (3). We visited and captured data about infrastructure, accessibility, human resources, reporting, medications and supplies at 124 health posts and 53 health centers in five departments of Guatemala. We conducted a thematic analysis of transcribed interviews and focus group discussions supported by matrix analysis. We summarized quantitative data observed during visits to health posts and centers. Results Major challenges for hypertension service delivery included: gaps in infrastructure, insufficient staffing and high turnover, limited training, inconsistent supply of medications, lack of reporting, low prioritization of hypertension, and a low level of funding in the public health system overall. Key opportunities included: prior experience caring for patients with chronic conditions, eagerness from providers to learn, and interest from patients to be involved in managing their health. The 5 departments differ in population served per health facility, accessibility, and staffing. All but 7 health posts had basic infrastructure in place. Enalapril was available in 74% of health posts whereas hydrochlorothiazide was available in only 1 of the 124 health posts. With the exception of one department, over 90% of health posts had a blood pressure monitor. Conclusions This multi-level multi-method needs assessment using the building blocks framework highlights contextual factors in Guatemala’s public health system that have been important in informing the implementation of a hypertension control trial. Long-term needs that are not addressed within the scope of this study will be important to address to enable sustained implementation and scale-up of the hypertension control approach.

scholarly journals Integration of health care in the Basque Country during COVID-19: the importance of an integrated care management approach in times of emergency

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julen Izagirre-Olaizola ◽  
Goizalde Hernando-Saratxaga ◽  
María-Soledad Aguirre-García
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Personnel ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Integration Process ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Way

Abstract The main objective of this study is to analyse the process of integration of health care implemented in the public health system (Osakidetza) of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (CAPV), and assess whether the steps taken to date have helped or hindered the work of health personnel in times of COVID-19. Based on a case study, an assessment is made of the way in which certain tools of the integration process have been applied, if they have worked well and if they have led to better management of the pandemic. For the purpose of this study, a qualitative methodology is chosen consisting of a case study and in-depth interviews with health personnel at the front line of the integration process and the fight against COVID-19. This study makes two fundamental contributions. First, it analyses the health integration process in recent years in the public health system of the Basque Country. Second, it gathers the perceptions of different agents related to the Basque Health System of the way in which the tools of the integration process implemented in recent years have worked during the pandemic, detailing the positive and negative perceptions in this regard. Our conclusions offer a series of strategic recommendations linked to comprehensive patient care and the use of tools related to teleconsulting: the unified medical record, electronic prescription, and non-face-to-face care channels.

scholarly journals Epidemic of plague amidst COVID-19 in Madagascar: efforts, challenges, and recommendations

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullahi Tunde Aborode ◽  
Ana Carla dos Santos Costa ◽  
Anmol Mohan ◽  
Samarth Goyal ◽  
Aishat Temitope Rabiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
The Face ◽  
Endemic Areas

AbstractThe plague has been wreaking havoc on people in Madagascar with the COVID-19 pandemic. Madagascar’s healthcare sector is striving to respond to COVID-19 in the face of a plague outbreak that has created a new strain on the country’s public health system. The goal and activities of the gradual epidemic of plague in Madagascar during COVID-19 are described in this research. In order to contain the plague and the COVID-19 pandemic in this country, we have suggested long-term recommendations that can help to contain the outbreak so that it may spread to non-endemic areas.

scholarly journals The high cost patients on waiting list for the Liver Transplantation. main burdens and consequences for the Public Health System

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. A224
Author(s):  
J.A. Turri ◽  
L.B. Haddad ◽  
W. Andrauss ◽  
L.A. D’Albuquerque ◽  
M.A. Diniz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Health System ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Waiting List ◽  
The Public

scholarly journals Moving Faster than the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Rapid, Digital Transformation of a Public Health System

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (02) ◽  
pp. 229-236
Author(s):  
Clair Sullivan ◽  
Ides Wong ◽  
Emily Adams ◽  
Magid Fahim ◽  
Jon Fraser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Programming Approach ◽  
Data Governance ◽  
Application Development ◽  
Containment Strategy

Abstract Background Queensland, Australia has been successful in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Underpinning that response has been a highly effective virus containment strategy which relies on identification, isolation, and contact tracing of cases. The dramatic emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic rendered traditional paper-based systems for managing contact tracing no longer fit for purpose. A rapid digital transformation of the public health contact tracing system occurred to support this effort. Objectives The objectives of the digital transformation were to shift legacy systems (paper or standalone electronic systems) to a digitally enabled public health system, where data are centered around the consumer rather than isolated databases. The objective of this paper is to outline this case study and detail the lessons learnt to inform and give confidence to others contemplating digitization of public health systems in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This case study is set in Queensland, Australia. Universal health care is available. A multidisciplinary team was established consisting of clinical informaticians, developers, data strategists, and health information managers. An agile “pair-programming” approach was undertaken to application development and extensive change efforts were made to maximize adoption of the new digital workflows. Data governance and flows were changed to support rapid management of the pandemic. Results The digital coronavirus application (DCOVA) is a web-based application that securely captures information about people required to quarantine and creates a multiagency secure database to support a successful containment strategy. Conclusion Most of the literature surrounding digital transformation allows time for significant consultation, which was simply not possible under crisis conditions. Our observation is that staff was willing to adopt new digital systems because the reason for change (the COVID-19 pandemic) was clearly pressing. This case study highlights just how critical a unified purpose, is to successful, rapid digital transformation.

Development of a probabilistic model for quantitative risk assessment of COVID-19 in Brazil

2021 ◽  
pp. 2150069
Author(s):  
Paulo Gabriel Santos Campos de Siqueira ◽  
Alexandre Calumbi Antunes de Oliveira ◽  
Heitor Oliveira Duarte ◽  
Márcio das Chagas Moura
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Health System ◽  
Probabilistic Model ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
The Other ◽  
Quantitative Risk Assessment ◽  
The Public ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
Excessive Number

We have developed a probabilistic model to quantify the risks of COVID-19 explosion in Brazil, the epicenter of COVID-19 in Latin America. By explosion, we mean an excessive number of new infections that would overload the public health system. We made predictions from July 12th to Oct 10th, 2020 for various containment strategies, including business as usual, stay at home (SAH) for young and elderly, flight restrictions among regions, gradual resumption of business and the compulsory wearing of masks. They indicate that: if a SAH strategy were sustained, there would be a negligible risk of explosion and the public health system would not be overloaded. For the other containment strategies, the scenario that combines the gradual resumption of business with the mandatory wearing of masks would be the most effective, reducing risk to considerable category. Should this strategy is applied together with the investment in more Intensive Care Unit beds, risk could be reduced to negligible levels. A sensitivity analysis sustained that risks would be negligible if SAH measures were adopted thoroughly.

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