scholarly journals Experiences of Health Care Workers Regarding Maintenance of Confidentiality Concerning Hearing Challenged People in Selected Public Health Facilities in eThekwini District, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Snenhlanhla Kelly Dlamini ◽  
Maureen Nokuthula Sibiya
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Communication Preferences ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Communication Challenges ◽  
Relationship Involvement ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Care Worker

Communication between a health care provider and a patient is a pre-requisite for any intervention to occur in the process of health care. Deaf patients depend on interpreters when seeking health care. Confidentiality is an issue since interpreters are involved in the Deaf community. Health care workers (HCWs) are tasked to ensure that the delivery of information to the patient is accurate and kept confidential. A descriptive exploratory qualitative design was used to explore the experiences of HCWs regarding the maintenance of confidentiality for hard of hearing patients. The study population comprised HCWs who worked with hearing challenged patients. Purposive sampling, which is a type of non-probability sampling, was utilized to select the study participants from the population. This research study was conducted at two hospitals in eThekwini District. Structured interviews, using an interview schedule, were used to collect data. The actual sample size was 10 participants. Data was analysed using Tesch’s eight steps of thematic analysis. Six major themes emerged from the data analysis namely training of health care workers, communication preferences for hard of hearing patients, communication challenges, health care worker-patient relationship, involvement of family members as interpreters and measures to maintain confidentiality. Majority of participants experienced communication challenges with patients who are hard of hearing since only few HCWs are trained in sign language. The findings of this study will contribute to addressing issues related to the maintenance of confidentiality of hard of hearing patients. This study does not claim to exhaust the subject but to raise awareness of new investigations in other realities. Further research in the larger representative population of HCWs and hard of hearing patients is necessary to make the health care system more accessible and communication with HCWs more satisfying and effective.

Stepping up detection, response, preparedness and readiness measures for “COVID-19”- A Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1042-1047
Author(s):  
Khushbu Balsara ◽  
Deepankar Shukla
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Short Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
Detection Response ◽  
Care Worker

In a very short period of time, “COVID-19” has seized the consciousness globally by making remarkable changes in our day to day living and has superintended as a public health emergency globally. It has high radar of transmission, affecting an individual at work to frontline workers. The measures and planning for a response plays a key role from drawing up an emergency committee and this follows an equation which broadly deals with epidemiological to clinical history of the patient, management steps from isolation, screening, diagnostic assays for identification and treatment. The application of an organized plan with secure structure aids in better performance, increases efficacy of management and saves time. Also saves time for a health care worker to g through routine levels of channels of administration if already a familiar way of operation is known for such situations. Thus, planning and developing a ‘blueprint of approach’ towards management of patient while facing such situation is a must. This review provides an insight to the measures for detection, response and preparedness of the hospital and health care workers should largely be inclusive of; also highlights the measures to be taken at every step after coming in contact with a positive case of “COVID-19”.

scholarly journals A COVID-19 Infection Risk Model for Frontline Health Care Workers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louie Florendo Dy ◽  
Jomar Fajardo Rabajante
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Interaction Time ◽  
Work Shift ◽  
Crowd Density ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Care Worker

AbstractThe number of confirmed COVID-19 cases admitted in hospitals is continuously increasing in the Philippines. Frontline health care workers are faced with imminent risks of getting infected. In this study, we formulate a theoretical model to calculate the risk of being infected in health care facilities considering the following factors: the average number of encounters with a suspected COVID-19 patient per hour; interaction time for each encounter; work shift duration or exposure time; crowd density, which may depend on the amount of space available in a given location; and availability and effectiveness of protective gears and facilities provided for the frontline health care workers. Based on the simulation results, a set of risk assessment criteria is proposed to classify risks as ‘low’, ‘moderate’, or ‘high’. We recommend the following: (i) decrease the rate of patient encounter per frontline health care worker, e.g., maximum of three encounters per hour in a 12-hour work shift duration; (ii) decrease the interaction time between the frontline health care worker and the patients, e.g., less than 40 minutes for the whole day; (iii) increase the clean and safe space for social distancing, e.g., maximum of 10% crowd density, and if possible, implement compartmentalization of patients; and/or (iv) provide effective protective gears and facilities, e.g., 95% effective, that the frontline health care workers can use during their shift. Moreover, the formulated model can be used for other similar scenarios, such as identifying infection risk in public transportation, school classroom settings, offices, and mass gatherings.

AIDS Dementia Complex: The Perception of Loss of Functional Ability

2002 ◽  
Vol 65 (11) ◽  
pp. 509-514
Author(s):  
Kate Gregory ◽  
Deanna Gibbs
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Functional Ability ◽  
Aids Dementia Complex ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Aids Dementia ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
And Function

AIDS Dementia Complex (ADC) is a subcortical dementia often associated with HIV disease. Despite undergoing numerous assessments of cognition and function to determine their need for personal care assistance, there is limited information on how individuals with ADC view their functional and cognitive impairments and the subsequent effect on their lifestyle. This study investigated issues of concern to clients with ADC in order to provide a greater understanding of the psychological effect of the loss of functional ability. A qualitative design was used to explore individuals' experience of ADC and clarify their insight and perception regarding the loss of function. The participants were selected by the use of purposeful sampling techniques. Information was obtained through semi-structured interviews and analysed using an analytic induction method. Five main themes were identified as being important in relation to the perception of functional ability. Discrepancies emerged between the insights of individuals with ADC regarding their level of function and their need for assistance and support with activities of daily living, compared with those of the health care workers involved in their care. Health care workers need to have an awareness of the insight that individuals with ADC may have into their functional ability when addressing issues of supported accommodation and level of assistance required.

Level of physical activity and its correlates among health care workers in Ethiopia, 2019

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tigist Demssew Adane ◽  
Birhan Gebresillassie Gebregiorgis ◽  
Elda Mekonnen Nigussie ◽  
Abate Dargie Wubetu
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
P Value ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Background These days, engaging at sufficient regular physical activity strongly recommended for good health and physical functioning. Physical activity can increase the self-confidence of the health professionals and they would become fit for daily activities with patients. Knowing the level of physical activity can help health care professionals to plan for physical activity programs. This study aimed to measure the level of physical activity and associated factors among adult health professionals at Tirunesh Beijing general hospital.Objective The aim of this study was to assess the level of physical activity and associated factors among health care workers in Ethiopia, 2019.Methods Institution based cross-sectional study conducted level of physical activity and associated factors among health care workers in Ethiopia, 2019. Two hundred nighty seven adult health professionals were participated, which was a 97.4% response rate. The global physical activity questionnaire used to measure the level of physical activity. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analyses was done to affirm the variables characteristics. A predictor variable with a p-value of less than 0.2 exported to multivariate analysis. During multivariate analysis, statistical significance declared at a p-value of < 0.05.Results In general, the majority of the study participants, 89.2% (95% CI: 85.9-92.6) were achieved recommended levels of physical activity. Regarding the intensity of the physical activity, the overall mean time score was 518.4 mints per week or 2352.6 MET/week. For moderate-intensity physical activity, 83.5% of the study participants were physically active, (≥150 minutes/week). In the case of vigorous activity, about 32.7% of the study participants were physically active and engaged in vigorous physical activity (≥75 minutes /week). The study participants, who had self-motivation for physical activity, had a BMI of less than 25 kg/m2 and aged < 40 years were physically active.Conclusions Health care providers’ habit of physical activity improved as compared with the previous studies. However, the current level of physical activity of health professionals is not adequate. Health care providers’ age, body mass index and self-motivation attribute to physical activity. The level of physical activity can increase by enhancing staff motivation towards physical activity.

scholarly journals The psychosocial effects of being quarantined following exposure to COVID-19: A qualitative study of Lebanese health care workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 560-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirna Fawaz ◽  
Ali Samaha
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Psychosocial Effects ◽  
Care Workers

Background: Since the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), health care professionals in Lebanon have been diligently serving as the frontline of defense. In the light of challenging economic and political circumstances, putting their community wellbeing as a priority, and abiding by quarantine and strict infection control measures, health care professionals risk both their physical and mental wellbeing. Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the psychosocial effects of being quarantined following exposure to COVID-19 among Lebanese health care professionals. Method: An exploratory qualitative research design was employed, where semi-structured interviews were carried out involving a sample of 13 Lebanese health care providers working at various COVID-19 units. Results: The qualitative analysis has revealed four themes namely ‘Fears of contracting and spreading the virus’, ‘Conflict between professional duty and family obligation’, ‘Stigma of being infected’, and ‘Inadequate or inaccurate information’. Conclusion: COVID-19 quarantine has been posing intense psychological challenges among Lebanese health care workers which are worsened at times by the economic instability; thus, health care policymakers are urged to take proper action nationwide to alleviate longlisting implications and support the health care providers in fulfilling their mission.

scholarly journals Using BCG vaccine to enhance non-specific protection of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial in Denmark

Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Marie Rosendahl Madsen ◽  
Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer ◽  
Thomas Benfield ◽  
Morten Bjerregaard-Andersen ◽  
Lars Skov Dalgaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Cumulative Incidence ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Bcg Vaccine ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Full Protocol ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Objectives: The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine against tuberculosis is associated with non- specific protective effects against other infections, and significant reductions in all-cause morbidity and mortality have been reported. We aim to test whether BCG vaccination may reduce susceptibility to and/or the severity of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in health care workers (HCW) and thus prevent work absenteeism. The primary objective is to reduce absenteeism due to illness among HCW during the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary objectives are to reduce the number of HCW that are infected with SARS-CoV-2, and to reduce the number of hospital admissions among HCW during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hypothesis: BCG vaccination of HCW will reduce absenteeism by 20% over a period of 6 months. Trial design: Placebo-controlled, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial, recruiting study participants at several geographic locations. The BCG vaccine is used in this study on a different indication than the one it has been approved for by the Danish Medicines Agency, therefore this is classified as a phase III study. Participants: The trial will recruit 1,500 HCW at Danish hospitals. To be eligible for participation, a subject must meet the following criteria: Adult (≥18 years); Hospital personnel working at a participating hospital for more than 22 hours per week. A potential subject who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: Known allergy to components of the BCG vaccine or serious adverse events to prior BCG administration Known prior active or latent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) or other mycobacterial species Previous confirmed COVID-19 Fever (>38 C) within the past 24 hours Suspicion of active viral or bacterial infection Pregnancy Breastfeeding Vaccination with other live attenuated vaccine within the last 4 weeks Severely immunocompromised subjects. This exclusion category comprises: a) subjects with known infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) b) subjects with solid organ transplantation c) subjects with bone marrow transplantation d) subjects under chemotherapy e) subjects with primary immunodeficiency f) subjects under treatment with any anti-cytokine therapy within the last year g) subjects under treatment with oral or intravenous steroids defined as daily doses of 10 mg prednisone or equivalent for longer than 3 months h) Active solid or non-solid malignancy or lymphoma within the prior two years Direct involvement in the design or the execution of the BCG-DENMARK-COVID trial Intervention and comparator: Participants will be randomised to BCG vaccine (BCG-Denmark, AJ Vaccines, Copenhagen, Denmark) or placebo (saline). An adult dose of 0.1 ml of resuspended BCG vaccine (intervention) or 0.1 ml of sterile 0.9% NaCl solution (control) is administered intradermally in the upper deltoid area of the right arm. All participants will receive one injection at inclusion, and no further treatment of study participants will take place. Main outcomes: Main study endpoint: Days of unplanned absenteeism due to illness within 180 days of randomisation. Secondary study endpoints: The cumulative incidence of documented COVID-19 and the cumulative incidence of hospital admission for any reason within 180 days of randomisation. Randomisation: Randomisation will be done centrally using the REDCap tool with stratification by hospital, sex and age groups (+/- 45 years of age) in random blocks of 4 and 6. The allocation ratio is 1:1. Blinding (masking): Participants will be blinded to treatment. The participant will be asked to leave the room while the allocated treatment is prepared. Once ready for injection, vaccine and placebo will look similar, and the participant will not be able to tell the difference. The physicians administering the treatment are not blinded. Numbers to be randomised (sample size): Sample size: N=1,500. The 1,500 participants will be randomised 1:1 to BCG or placebo with 750 participants in each group. Trial Status: Current protocol version 5.1, from July 6, 2020. Recruitment of study participants started on May 18, 2020 and we anticipate having finished recruiting by the end of December 2020. Trial registration: The trial was registered with EudraCT on April 16, 2020, EudraCT number: 2020-001888-90, and with ClinicalTrials.gov on May 1, 2020, registration number NCT04373291. Full protocol: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol. Keywords: COVID-19, Randomised controlled trial, Protocol, BCG vaccine, NSEs/Non-specific effects of vaccines, Heterologous effects of vaccines, Health care workers, Pandemic, Immune training.

scholarly journals Will Universal Access to Antiretroviral Therapy Ever be Possible? The Health Care Worker Challenge

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. e64-e69 ◽  
Author(s):  
André R Maddison ◽  
Walter F Schlech
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Health Care Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Care Worker

The United Nations millennium development goal of providing universal access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for patients living with HIV/AIDS by 2010 is unachievable. Currently, four million people are receiving ART, of an estimated 13.7 million who need it. A major challenge to achieving this goal is the shortage of health care workers in low-income and low-resource areas of the world. Sub-Saharan African countries have 68% of the world’s burden of illness from AIDS, yet have only 3% of health care workers worldwide. The shortage of health care providers is primarily caused by a national and international ‘brain drain,’ poor distribution of health care workers within countries, and health care worker burnout.Even though the millennium development goal to provide universal access to ART will not be met by 2010, it is imperative to continue to build on the momentum created by these humanitarian goals. The present literature review was written with the purpose of attracting research and policy attention toward evidence from small-scale projects in sub-Saharan Africa, which have been successful at increasing access to ART. Specifically, a primary-care model of ART delivery, which focuses on decentralization of services, task shifting and community involvement will be discussed. To improve the health care worker shortage in sub-Saharan Africa, the conventional model of health care delivery must be replaced with an innovative model that utilizes doctors, nurses and community members more effectively.

When roles within interpreter-mediated psychiatric consultations speak louder than words

2020 ◽  
pp. 136346152093376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanja Kilian ◽  
Leslie Swartz ◽  
Xanthe Hunt ◽  
Ereshia Benjamin ◽  
Bonginkosi Chiliza
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Psychiatric Hospitals ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Professional Interpreting

In South Africa, clinicians working in public psychiatric hospitals are mainly fluent in English and Afrikaans, while the majority of patients are not proficient in these languages. Due to a lack of professional interpreting services, informal, ad hoc interpreters are commonly employed in public psychiatric hospitals. We collected data on language practices in public psychiatric care in South Africa, and provide a detailed account of what happens when bilingual health care workers and cleaners haphazardly take on the additional role of interpreter. Data were collected during 2010 at a public psychiatric hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa. Thirteen interpreter-mediated psychiatric consultations were video-recorded, and 18 audio-recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted with the interpreters and clinicians who participated in the interpreter-mediated psychiatric consultations. Patients were proficient in isiXhosa (one of the 11 official languages of South Africa), the clinicians (all registrars) were first language English or Afrikaans speakers, while the health care workers (nurses and social workers) and cleaners were fluent in both the patients’ and clinician’s language. Our findings suggest that interpreters took on the following four roles during the interpreter-mediated psychiatric consultations: regulating turn-taking, cultural broker, gatekeeper and advocate. Our findings suggest that, despite interpreters and clinicians having the patient’s best interests at heart, it is the patient’s voice that becomes lost while the clinician and interpreter negotiate the roles played by each party.

Understanding the Predictors that Contribute to Liberian Health Care Workers Feeling Protected From Ebola While at Work

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Kayla Enriquez ◽  
Kanagasabai Udhayashankar ◽  
Michelle Niescierenko
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Returning To Work ◽  
Care Worker ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess Liberian health care workers’ feelings around safety in returning to work in the setting of the Ebola virus disease outbreak of 2014–2015 after receiving infection prevention and control (IPC) training. Methods: Academic Consortium Combating Ebola in Liberia (ACCEL) training surveys were done at 21 public, Liberian hospitals to understand health care workers’ attitudes surrounding Ebola and whether they felt safe while at work based on multiple factors. Logistic regression was used for analysis. Results: We found that health care workers feeling safe at work during the Ebola outbreak was primarily predicted by the number of IPC/Ebola trainings received pre-ACCEL interventions. Health care workers felt increasingly safer and motivated to return to work as trainings approached 3 (OR 8, p-value < 0.001); however, more than 3 trainings resulted in decreased safety and motivation. In addition, health care workers who reported washing their hands before and after patient contact were 3.4 times more likely to understand how to protect themselves from Ebola. Conclusions: These results help to better understand the utility of repeated trainings on health care worker practice attitudes and the importance of IPC policies within hospitals, such as hand hygiene promotion and education, when coordinating humanitarian efforts.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Medical Equipment in a Non-Health Care Worker Caring for a Disabled Spouse

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-211
Author(s):  
Ilya Shoimer ◽  
Melanie Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Contact Dermatitis ◽  
Allergic Contact Dermatitis ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Medical Equipment ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Allergic Contact ◽  
Care Worker ◽  
Rubber Accelerators

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to rubber accelerators is a common occurrence, especially in health care workers, but the risks in family caregivers are not as well documented. Objective: To document a case of a 66-year-old woman who developed recurrent, extensive flares of ACD from contact with rubber accelerators through caregiving. Method and Results: Patch testing revealed a positive reaction to two common rubber accelerators: carba mix (3+) and thiuram mix (3+). The patient described caring for her disabled husband, which involved handling rubberized medical equipment. Conclusion: Physicians should appreciate ACD in non-health care workers caused by rubber accelerators found in medical equipment. Individuals providing care for sick or elderly relatives should be further questioned on exposure to a hospital environment and contact with medical equipment.

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