Evaluation of Secure Mobile and Clinical Communication Solution (SMaCCS) across acute and community practice settings

AimsClinicians struggle to provide information to each other that supports safe patient transitions, especially across acute and community care jurisdictions. They need flexible communication tools to improve care coordination. Island Health introduced a Secure Mobile and Clinical Communication Solution (SMaCCS) to address these challenges in 2018. In this study we evaluated the SMaCCS system to understand the (1) volume and flow of healthcare communication, (2) degree of adoption and accessibility of the system and (3) user experience.MethodsThis was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. Island Health Information Management/Information Technology (IMIT) selected Vocera Collaboration Suite as the secure messaging platform. We invited healthcare providers in various roles in the hospital and community to use SMaCCS for their daily communications and system and survey data were collected between February and August 2018. System data and survey data were used to determine outcomes.ResultsA Sankey diagram represents the volume and flow of communication. A total of 2542 messages were sent and 79% of conversations included more than a single message. Eighty-one per cent of participants agreed that using a secure communication tool made them feel more comfortable sharing patient information. Most users (65%) perceived that the application was a useful method for transmitting simple information.ConclusionHowever, our study showed that different occupational roles require different frequencies and volumes of communication and there are numerous barriers to adoption that must be addressed before secure messaging can be an effective, ubiquitous method of clinical communication.

When Can Elimination of SARS-CoV-2 Infection be Assumed? Simulation Modelling in a Case Study Island Nation

Aims: We aimed to determine the length of time from the last detected case of SARS-CoV-2 infection before elimination can be assumed at a country level in an island nation. Methods: A stochastic version of the SEIR model CovidSIM v1.1 designed specifically for COVID-19 was utilised. It was populated with data for the case study island nation of New Zealand (NZ) along with relevant parameters sourced from the NZ and international literature. This included a testing level for symptomatic cases of 7,800 tests per million people per week. Results: It was estimated to take between 27 and 33 days of no new detected cases for there to be a 95% probability of epidemic extinction. This was for effective reproduction numbers (Re) in the range of 0.50 to 1.0, which encompass such controls as case isolation (the shorter durations relate to low Re values). For a 99% probability of epidemic extinction, the equivalent time period was 37 to 44 days. In scenarios with lower levels of symptomatic cases seeking medical attention and lower levels of testing, the time period was up to 53 to 91 days (95% level). Conclusions: In the context of a high level of testing, a period of around one month of no new notified cases of COVID-19 would give 95% certainty that elimination of SARS-CoV-2 transmission had been achieved.

Tasting Place: Themes in Food and Beverage Product Logos from Three North Atlantic Island Regions

Islands have long been romanticized for their potential to facilitate the kind of escape from globalization increasingly sought by neolocalism-driven consumers, and are thus uniquely positioned to emphasize their distinctive environment and culture through a holistic destination brand that targets both the tourism and local product markets. The current study examines the relationship between destination brands and local food and beverage brands in three North Atlantic island regions: Newfoundland, Iceland, and Shetland. Using a blend of content and thematic analysis to identify and analyze prominent themes employed in product logos, this study offers insight regarding food and beverage branding approaches in island contexts and their relationship to regional destination brands. Throughout the content examined for this study, island-based food and beverage producers demonstrated an intense and dynamic connection to place, as exemplified through the themes of place, culture, and environment embedded in their logos. Discussion of the study findings highlights the importance of strong logo branding for entrepreneurial success and regional tourism promotion, and advocates for future research and practical implementation of effective branding and logo design.

URBAN SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS FOR CARIBBEAN SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES

This research seeks to develop an urban sustainability framework specific to Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This is relevant given the reality that Caribbean SIDS are becoming increasingly urbanised. The three most urbanised countries within the Caribbean region; namely, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname are more than 70 percent urbanised. If the built environment within urban areas is developed in an unsustainable manner this can result in a number of negative outcomes. For example, a major challenge faced in Caribbean SIDS is that of disaster risk and management due to the location of human settlements and critical infrastructure in low lying coastal lands. If more sustainable outcomes are to be attained in the face of increased urbanisation, there is a need for a change in the way spatial planning is practiced. Indicators can provide planners with an empirical basis for the examination and review of the relevant plans and policies which guide the way in which planning is practiced. There exist a number of urban indicator frameworks, which suggest useful indicators including the World Bank Urban Sustainability Framework (USF) and the Inter-American Development Bank Emerging and Sustainable Cities Initiative (ESCI). These two frameworks are critically examined and with the use of Trinidad as a case study island, the ways in which indicators can be useful in efforts toward increased urban sustainability within SIDS is discussed.

THE ROLE OF QUALITY AND ECO-LABELLING SYSTEMS IN TOURIST DESTINATION BENCHMARKING (CASE STUDY: ISLAND OF CRES)

Eco-labelling and quality systems can be applied as the means for benchmarking a destination, particularly in those cases where the only information available is that pertaining to these systems. There are a number of potential advantages to be gained in using eco-labelling and quality systems information instead of the usual benchmarking information. In addition to providing external recognition and standards, this type of benchmarking can also serve to improve the competitive ability of a given tourist destination. This articles focuses on the importance of applying a quality system and creating an cco-label in the development strategy of the Island of Cres, a tourist destination aimed at realising its vision of becoming a recognised ECO destination in the Mediterranean, focusing Oil a healthy way of life, ecology and nature, and providing an intense experience of the sea, beaches and the coastal region.