Experiences of supported isolation in returning travellers during the early COVID-19 response: a qualitative interview study

Objectives(1) To understand the experiences and perceptions of those who underwent supported isolation, particularly in relation to factors that were associated with improved compliance and well-being; (2) to inform recommendations for the management of similar supported isolation procedures.DesignWe carried out a qualitative study using semistructured interviews to capture participants’ experiences and perceptions of supported isolation. Data were analysed using the framework approach, a type of thematic analysis that is commonly used in research that has implications for policy.SettingTelephone interviews carried out within approximately 1 month of an individual leaving supported isolation.Participants26 people who underwent supported isolation at either Arrowe Park Hospital (n=18) or Kents Hill Park Conference Centre (n=8) after being repatriated from Wuhan in January to February 2020.ResultsSix key themes were identified: factors affecting compliance with supported isolation; risk perceptions around catching COVID-19; management of supported isolation; communication with those outside supported isolation; relationship with others in supported isolation; and feelings on leaving supported isolation. Participants were willing to undergo supported isolation because they understood that it would protect themselves and others. Positive treatment by staff was fundamental to participants’ willingness to comply with isolation procedures. Despite the high level of compliance, participants expressed some uncertainty about what the process would involve.ConclusionsAs hotel quarantine is introduced across the UK for international arrivals, our findings suggest that those in charge should: communicate effectively before, during and after quarantine, emphasising why quarantine is important and how it will protect others; avoid coercion if possible and focus on supporting and promoting voluntary compliance; facilitate shared social experiences for those in quarantine; and ensure all necessary supplies are provided. Doing so is likely to increase adherence and reduce any negative effects on well-being.

Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment and site analyses of Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC), Arusha, Tanzania

This work presents the evaluation of earthquake resistance of the Arusha International ConferenceCentre (AICC) complex, in Tanzania. The evaluation included probabilistic seismic hazardanalysis (PSHA) and site response analysis. Seismic sources considered to constitute a seismichazard in this study were randomly occurring seismicity located within five tectonic provincesaround the site. For each province the seismic hazard is based on a cursory analysis of earthquakedata from compiled ESARSWG bulletins and temporary deployed networks within the NorthTanzania Divergence (NTD). Bedrock response signal together with the information of materialcharacteristics from boreholes around the AICC site were used in analysis of site response. PSHAresults indicated uniform hazard spectra values of 0.15, 0.2 and 0.27 g for return periods of 475,975 and 2475 years, respectively. The surface ground response results indicated a maximumamplification factor of 3.7 and a spectral response of 4.5 g for a wave period of 0.6 sec thatmatches the natural frequency of the 6-7 storey buildings of the AICC complex. It is thisresonance effect on the buildings that is assumed to have caused intense shaking in the earthquakeof December 5th 2005 from Lake Tanganyika. Keywords: Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis; Arusha International Conference Centre; EastAfrican Rift System; Uniform hazard spectra; Site effect.

THE APPLICATION OF PASSIVE DESIGN STRATEGIES AS SUSTAINABLE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE IN A MODEL CONFERENCE CENTRES (A CASE STUDY OF AMINU KANO CENTRE FOR DEMOCRATIC RESEARCH AND TRAINING (AKCDR&T))

ABSTRACT: This research sought to reduce uncomfortable conditions created by extremes of heat and dryness in order to achieve well balanced indoor and outdoor climate, through the application of passive design strategies in Conference Centre located in hot dry climate of Kano Nigeria. Passive design utilizes natural sources of heating and cooling breezes. It is achieved by appropriately orientating the building on its site and carefully designing the building envelope (roof, walls, windows and floor). External features such as fountain, soft landscaping and proper site planning improves micro climate which in turn helped in achieving good passive design. The methodology employed is case study and relevant information sourced from pertinent literature and the internet was taken into consideration. Research has shown that more than40% of energy consumption in any building is used for cooling and lighting in order to achieve comfort level. In the course of the research, the building was studied to evaluate the use of passive elements that relates to passive lighting and cooling which are the main source of energy consumption such as building envelop, natural lighting, natural ventilation, Site and external spaces, building form, building orientation, wall/window shading and existing of energy source on conference centre building. Research has shown that, the design parameters obtained from field survey are the principal factors responsible for any good passive design of most public building such as conference centre building.

Mass food challenges in a vacant COVID-19 stepdown facility: exceptional opportunity provides a model for the future

Background: Internationally, the COVID-19 pandemic severely curtailed access to hospital facilities for those awaiting elective/semi elective procedures. For allergic children in Ireland, already waiting up to 4yr for an elective oral food challenge (OFC), the restrictions signified indefinite delay. At the time of the initiative there were approx 900 children on the Chidren’s Health Ireland(CHI) waiting list. In July 2020, a project was facilitated by short term(6wk) access to an empty COVID stepdown facility built, in a hotel conference centre, commandeered by the Health Service Executive Ireland(HSE). The aim was to the achieve rapid rollout of an off-site OFC service, delivering high throughput of long waiting patients, while aligning with hospital existing policies and quality standards, international allergy guidelines and national social distancing standards. Methods: The working group engaged key stakeholders to rapidly develop an offsite OFC facility. Consultant Paediatric Allergists, Consultant Paediatricians, trainees and Allergy Clinical Nurse Specialists were seconded from other duties. The facility was already equipped with hospital beds, bedside monitors(BP, Pulse, Oxygen saturation) bedside oxygen. All medication and supplies had to be brought from the base hospital. Daily onsite consultant anaesthetic cover was resourced and a resuscitation room equipped. Standardised food challenge protocols were created. Access to onsite hotel chef facilitated food preparation. A risk register was established. Results: After 6wks planning, the remote centre became operational on 7/9/20, with the capacity of 27 OFC/day. 474 challenges were commenced, 465 (98%) were completed, 9(2%) were inconclusive. 135(29.03%) OFC were positive, 25(5%) causing anaphylaxis. No child required advanced airway intervention. 8 children were transferred to the base hospital. The CHI allergy waiting list was reduced by almost 60% in only 24 days. Conclusions: OFCs remain a vital tool in the care of allergic children, with their cost saving and quality of life benefits negatively affected by delay in their delivery. This project has shown it is possible to have huge impacts on a waiting list efficiently, effectively and safely with good planning and staff buy in – even in a pandemic. Adoption of new, flexible and efficient models of service delivery will be important for healthcare delivery in the post-COVID-19 era.

Experiences of supported isolation in returning travellers during the early COVID-19 response: an interview study

ObjectivesTo understand the experiences of those who underwent supported isolation as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, after returning to the UK from Wuhan, China.DesignWe used semi-structured interviews to capture participants’ experiences and perceptions of supported isolation.SettingTelephone interviews carried out within approximately one month of an individual leaving supported isolation.Participants26 people who underwent supported isolation at either Arrowe Park Hospital (n = 18) or Kents Hill Park Conference Centre (n = 8) after being repatriated from Wuhan in January – February 2020.ResultsParticipants were willing to undergo supported isolation because they understood that it would protect themselves and others. Positive treatment by staff was fundamental to participants’ willingness to comply with isolation procedures. Despite the high level of compliance, participants expressed some uncertainty about what the process would involve.ConclusionsAs hotel quarantine is introduced across the UK for international arrivals, our findings suggest that those in charge should: communicate effectively before, during and after quarantine, emphasising why quarantine is important and how it will protect others; avoid enforcement and focus on supporting and promoting voluntary compliance; facilitate shared social experiences for those in quarantine; and ensure all necessary supplies are provided. Doing so will increase adherence and reduce any negative effects on wellbeing.

The impact of Euro 2012 on the development of municipalities hosting national teams – the case of Gniewino

The UEFA European Football Championship, held in 2012 in Poland, has brought a wide range of benefits, including the development of the recreation infrastructure and hotel facilities across the country. The championship has changed the way Poland and Poles are perceived by Europeans and has also contributed to improving the standard of living for inhabitants of many Polish towns and cities. The aim of this article is to evaluate the impact of Euro 2012 on the development of the Sports and Conference Centre in Gniewino and how it has affected the quality of life of its residents. The study is based on the analysis of literature and source documents as well as opinions collected in a survey of 450 respondents who answered a questionnaire consisting of 9 closed questions in December 2012. The findings indicate that the Sports and Conference Centre in Gniewino is currently one of the leading training centres for major football clubs from countries around the world. It can also be concluded that the organization of the Euro championship has had a positive impact on the quality of life of residents of Gniewino.

Postmodernism, identity and mission continuity in the Church of Christ in Zimbabwe

The Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (COCZ) is a Christian denomination with its own internal substance and purpose in life. However, postmodernist changes have affected the Church’s operation with religious, ethical and spiritual implications. The COCZ engaged in conference centre construction (at Somabhula, Gweru South, Zimbabwe), constitution making (adopted 2014) and further ministerial formation through university education. The study was conducted among the Lukuluba people of Somabhula using qualitative research methods. Activities among the Lukuluba people need to be done in critical review of the church’s ideological duty, discovery of the Lukuluba people’s religious consciousness and development of a contextual pedagogy that appeals to the people’s religious spirituality. The study found the need to review the modes of Lukuluba cultic practices of the Shona Mwari religion for purposes of attaining mission continuity within the community and being mindful of the need to continue in the founding identity of the COCZ.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Identity and mission continuity of the Church of Christ in contemporary Zimbabwean society relates to human creation, baptismal dignity and vocation as systematic theology has ecclesiological, soteriological, incarnational, existential, ecological, biblical, inculturational and missiological implications.

The Cape Town International Convention Centre from the inside: The family physicians’ view of the ‛Hospital of Hope’

This short report captures the week-by-week reflections of a group of family physicians who joined the clinical and operational management teams tasked with providing the in-patient service of an 862-bed COVID-19 field hospital. The ‘Hospital of Hope’ at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) was established as an intermediate care facility specifically to cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cape Town metropole. In an extraordinary feat of engineering, the conference centre floor was transformed within a matter of weeks into wards with piped oxygen at each bed. Whilst the emergency medicine specialists took the lead in designing and commissioning the facility, the medical management and staff were drawn mostly from family physicians. This report is a short reflection on the experience of the first 4 weeks of managing patients in this repurposed space. Our insights evolved during various formal and informal learning conversations as the in-patient service became more organised over time. We hope that these insights, as well as the process of reaching them, will assist other colleagues in serving their communities during this difficult moment in history; moreover, it may reflect a renewed appreciation for team-based interdisciplinary efforts in achieving person-centred care.

Knowledge mobilisation: a UK co-creation study to devise strategies to amend lay and practitioner atopic eczema mindlines to improve consultation experiences and self-management practices in primary care

ObjectiveTo devise strategies to amend lay and practitioner atopic eczema mindlines ‘collectively reinforced, internalised tacit guidelines’, to improve consultation experiences and self-management practices in primary care.DesignCo-creation workshops informed by the Co:Create Coproduction Matrix.SettingConference centre in central England and via remote communication.ParticipantsLay people with, and parents of children with, atopic eczema, practitioners, a researcher and a facilitator (n=22).ResultsEczema mindline amendment needs to address people and parents of children with the condition, practitioners and wider society in parallel. For lay people trust and ‘realness’ of amendment activity was vital and practitioners wanted practical, locally relevant, hints and tips, tailored, ‘no faff’ approaches. To improve consultation experiences and self-management practices, five key, consistent, evidence-based messages need to be instilled into eczema mindlines: (1) eczema is more than just dry skin, (2) eczema does not just go away, (3) moisturisers are for every day, (4) steroid creams are okay when you need them and (5) you know your child’s eczema best.ConclusionThis co-creation study provides original insights into what eczema knowledge should be mobilised, who needs to have this knowledge, how this should be achieved to amend existing mindlines to improve consultation experiences and self-management practices in primary care.The remaining challenge is to refine, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of strategies developed to instil the five core messages and erase outdated or inaccurate information.