EP.TU.53Mark of Cain: lessons from a field hospital Boot Camp under COVID’s Cloak

COVID-19 restrictions have cursed and canceled most academic training events. Because of fears related to social distancing, centres normally housing >100 delegates now accommodate only 12. Aim To assess the feasibility of a multidisciplinary Core Surgical Trainee (CST) Boot camp training event at a UK field hospital. Method All CST1s within a single UK Statutory Education Body were invited to participate in a three-day Boot camp at the Dragon’s Heart Hospital, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, consisting of simulated, Operative and Non-Operative Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS). Primary outcome measures were; satisfaction and perceived competence using Likert scale (1-5). Results Attendees numbered 44 (median age 29 yr. 21 female, 23 male). Median satisfaction scores by domain were: Overall course satisfaction 4 (range 2-5), simulation skills 5 (3-5), lecture-based learning 4 (2-5), academic skills 4 (2-5), and NOTSS 5 (1-5). Levels of perceived confidence in performing simulated index procedures improved markedly (before median 2 (1-5) vs. after 4 (2-5), (p < 0.001). Free text comments reflected and praised the quality of staff commitment, enthusiasm, and in particular interactive workshops related to NOTSS. In contrast, resource limitations inherent to the marquee character of the venue (ambient temperature, IT limitations) received criticism. Conclusion COVID’s curse can be broken by creativity, enthusiasm, and engagement of translational multidisciplinary team leadership.

Key Factors for Consortial Success: Realizing a Shared Vision for Interlibrary Loan in a consortium of Canadian Libraries

<p>Purpose</p> <p>The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors associated with the successful implementation of a shared interlibrary loan (ILL) system by the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL), a consortium of 20 Ontario universities.</p> <p>Design/methodology/approach</p> <p>The paper is a descriptive review of the approaches taken in the consortial implementation of OCLC's VDX software. The paper elaborates on the building‐blocks and barriers to success as they were experienced, first by participants in OCUL's centralized implementation activities, and second at the local level by staff at Ryerson University Library, a member institution. Now end users can simultaneously search world‐wide catalogues, submit and track progress of requests, and receive materials rapidly. System functionality includes auto‐mediated interlibrary loans (direct requesting); use of link‐resolver software to transfer citation information from borrowing library catalogues to ILL request forms; and ISO peer‐to‐peer messaging.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Post‐implementation analysis reveals several key factors that contributed to the project's success. These include: planning, leadership, financial support, technical support, cooperation, staff commitment, communication, staff‐and end‐user centered focus, training and evaluation.</p> <p>Practical implications</p> <p>This may have broad application for similar complex projects.</p> <p>Originality/value</p> <p>The OCUL VDX implementation has achieved the originally expected economies of scale, service performance improvements and reduction in localized maintenance and system support. However, there have also been several unforeseen benefits such as the formulation and standardization of the OCUL ILL policies, and the development of Canada‐wide consortial reciprocal agreements. At the operational level, staff have had to adjust their management styles and develop confidence not only in their individual skills but also in cooperative thinking, reliance on centralized support, and in the overall system. Throughout the project the objectives have been clearly identified, and, for the most part, enthusiastically adopted, by consortium members. Recognizing that ILL is a service that is in transition, staff now look at business transformation and ways to identify, share and adopt best working practices.</p>

Key Factors for Consortial Success: Realizing a Shared Vision for Interlibrary Loan in a consortium of Canadian Libraries

<p>Purpose</p> <p>The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors associated with the successful implementation of a shared interlibrary loan (ILL) system by the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL), a consortium of 20 Ontario universities.</p> <p>Design/methodology/approach</p> <p>The paper is a descriptive review of the approaches taken in the consortial implementation of OCLC's VDX software. The paper elaborates on the building‐blocks and barriers to success as they were experienced, first by participants in OCUL's centralized implementation activities, and second at the local level by staff at Ryerson University Library, a member institution. Now end users can simultaneously search world‐wide catalogues, submit and track progress of requests, and receive materials rapidly. System functionality includes auto‐mediated interlibrary loans (direct requesting); use of link‐resolver software to transfer citation information from borrowing library catalogues to ILL request forms; and ISO peer‐to‐peer messaging.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Post‐implementation analysis reveals several key factors that contributed to the project's success. These include: planning, leadership, financial support, technical support, cooperation, staff commitment, communication, staff‐and end‐user centered focus, training and evaluation.</p> <p>Practical implications</p> <p>This may have broad application for similar complex projects.</p> <p>Originality/value</p> <p>The OCUL VDX implementation has achieved the originally expected economies of scale, service performance improvements and reduction in localized maintenance and system support. However, there have also been several unforeseen benefits such as the formulation and standardization of the OCUL ILL policies, and the development of Canada‐wide consortial reciprocal agreements. At the operational level, staff have had to adjust their management styles and develop confidence not only in their individual skills but also in cooperative thinking, reliance on centralized support, and in the overall system. Throughout the project the objectives have been clearly identified, and, for the most part, enthusiastically adopted, by consortium members. Recognizing that ILL is a service that is in transition, staff now look at business transformation and ways to identify, share and adopt best working practices.</p>

Healthcare workers’ compliance and its potential determinants to prevent COVID-19 in public hospitals in Western Ethiopia

Background Globally, Coronavirus disease-19 has created unprecedented challenges to public health. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of COVID-19 because of their profession. There are limited studies conducted in Ethiopia among HCWs regarding their compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures. Therefore, this study intended to assess HCWs’ compliance with measures to prevent COVID-19, and its potential determinants in public hospitals in Western Ethiopia. Methods A self-administered, multicenter hospital-based cross-sectional survey was proposed to 422 randomly selected HCWs working in seven public hospitals in Western Ethiopia identified as COVID-19 referral centers. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Binary logistic regression was used to identify potential determinants of outcome variables at p-value < 0.05. Results Out of 422 completed questionnaires, the overall HCWs’ compliance with COVID-19 prevention is 22% (n = 404). In multivariate regression analysis, factors such as spending most of caring time at bedside (AOR = 1.94, 95%CI, 1.06–3.55), receiving training on infection prevention/COVID-19 (AOR = 1.86, 95%CI, 1.04–3.33), reading materials on COVID-19 (AOR = 2.04, 95%CI, 1.14–3.63) and having support from hospital management (AOR = 2.09, 95%CI, 1.20–3.64) were found to be significantly associated with COVID-19 preventive measures. Furthermore, inadequate supplies of appropriate personal protective equipment (83.2%), insufficient supportive medications (78.5%), and lack of provision of adequate ventilation (77.7%) were the barriers to COVID-19 prevention most frequently mentioned by participants. Conclusion Our findings highlight HCWs’ poor compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures. Providing information and refreshing training to improve the level of healthcare workers’ adherence with COVID-19 prevention is as imperative as increasing staff commitment to supply resources necessary to protect HCWs and to reduce healthcare-associated infections transmission of SARS-COV-2.

Implementation of preventive measures to prevent COVID-19: a national study of English primary schools in summer 2020

We examined the feasibility of implementing preventive measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission across 105 English primary schools in summer 2020 via a survey and interviews with headteachers. High rates of implementation of most recommended measures were noted with the exception of requiring 2 m distance for students, fitting hand sanitizers in classrooms and introducing one-way systems in school corridors. Measures such as regular handwashing and stopping assemblies were considered easy to implement. Majorly challenging measures included distancing between individuals (for students: 51%, N = 99; for staff: 34%; N = 98; for parents: 26%, N = 100), spacing out desks (34%, N = 99), keeping same staff assigned to each student group (33%, N = 97) and staggering break times (25%, N = 99). Rapid implementation was facilitated by staff commitment and communication among stakeholders, but hampered by limitations with guidance received, physical environments, resources, parental adherence and balancing preventive measures with learning. Difficulties with distancing for younger children suggest that smaller bubbles with fewer distancing requirements within these may be a policy option. Schools require further financial, human resource and other support for effective implementation of preventive measures.

Designing and Implementing an In-Service Training Course for School Teams on Inclusive Education: Reflections from Participants

Significant and effective implementation of inclusive education (IE) has been a major challenge in many countries during the last decades. Although teachers’ knowledge and skills are considered a key factor for successful inclusive practice, the whole school staff commitment and contribution to implementing IE policies are equally important. Collaboration between different professionals such as teachers, school leaders, and support specialists is crucial. This study aimed to design and implement an in-service training course for school teams (teachers, support specialists, school leaders) on IE in the Estonian context and to explore how participants experienced learning as a team in this course. The results of this study showed that the main aspects of the in-service training for school teams valued by participants were: (1) All topics covered in a systematic and coherent way gave a good opportunity to focus on relevant issues, which should be considered in the schools’ self-development activities in the field of IE; (2) practical approach to training structure helped to identify priority areas that need to be developed in particular schools; (3) learning from each other both within their own school team and across school teams contributed to finding the best solutions for meaningful implementation of IE. The implication of these findings is further discussed in the paper.