Protecting healthcare personnel from 2019-nCoV infection risks:lessons and suggestions

The outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19,caused by the 2019-nCoV infection)in December 2019 is one of the most severe public health emergencies since the founding of People’s Republic of China in 1949.Healthcare personnel(HCP)nationwide are facing heavy workloads and high risk of infection,especially those who care for patients in Hubei Province.Sadly,as of February 20,2020,over two thousand COVID-19 cases are confirmed among HCP from 476 hospitals nationwide,with nearly 90%of them from Hubei Province.Based on literature search and interviews with some HCP working at Wuhan,capital city of Hubei,we have summarized some of the effective measures taken to reduce infection among HCP,and also made suggestions for improving occupational safety during an infectious disease outbreak.The experience and lessons learned should be a valuable asset for international health community to contain the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic around the world.

Survey on Blood Transfusion Practices among Medical and Paramedical Staff in the Pediatric Unit of the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakesh, Morocco

Blood transfusion is a complex activity, involving many actors. As a high-risk activity, it necessitates the implementation of specific methods for effective control. The safety of blood transfusion is significantly influenced by the beliefs of healthcare workers and organizational factors, constituting two major considerations. We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical survey to examine the knowledge and practices related to transfusion among the medical and paramedical staff at the Pediatric Department (Mother-Child) of CHU Mohammed VI from September 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. Among the 135 staff members interviewed, only 41% had received training in blood transfusion. A majority (65.2%) of the staff noted that a mismatch in cross-matching led to transfusion complications. Two-thirds (66.7%) identified chills as the primary clinical sign of potential accidents. Regarding elements to monitor during a reaction, hemolysis (78.5%) and temperature (76.3%) were most commonly mentioned. Surprisingly, more than half (53.3%) of the personnel interviewed did not conduct post-transfusion monitoring. This survey highlighted significant deficiencies in knowledge and practices related to transfusion. To address these issues, we recommend implementing guidelines and providing tailored training for the staff, aiming to rectify these deficiencies and enhance overall practices.

Quantification and influence factor analysis on total inward leakage of N95 respirators by simulating healthcare professional’s procedures

Respiratory protection is critical to minimize airborne infection risk for healthcare workers.The main factor affecting infection risk in the medical scenario is leakage between the respirator and the healthcare workers’face.However,it is difficult to quantify the effectiveness of respirators due to the numerous influencing factors.The medical activities were simulated by the fitting test,and the inverse of the results were used to get the total inward leakage of respirators.114 subjects were divided according to gender,profession,age,risk area,and BMIs,participated in fitting test of four N95 respirators.The result showed that the value range of total inward leakage for tested N95 respirators was between 0.50%and 2.39%.Flat-folded respirators were more prone to leakage than cup-shaped ones,so it was essential to account for the impact of respirator shape.Similarly,this study found that gender and profession had no significant correlation with total inward leakage.Some medical procedures include bending,and turning head from side to side,or up and down,which had a significant influence on the protective efficacy of the N95 respirator.Facial dimensions and BMI exerted a more pronounced influence on the protective efficacy of the N95 respirator,and they were in the correlations.Healthcare personnels wore a well-fitting N95 respirator properly for excellent protection,reducing occurrence of nosocomial infections and occupational exposures,and optimizing respiratory protection strategies.

Disaster Collaborative Exercises for Healthcare Teamwork in a Saudi Context

This study aimed to evaluate the development of healthcare teamwork during and after the collaboration tabletop exercises,through observation and interview methods.Integration and maturity theoretical models were employed to explain the collaborative challenges in teams that may suffer from unequally distributed power,hierarchies,and fragmentation.Using three-level collaboration tabletop exercises and the Command and control,Safety,Communication,Assessment,Treatment,Triage,Transport(CSCATTT)instrument,100 healthcare workers were observed during each step in the implementation of the CSCATTT instrument using two simulated scenarios.The results show a lack of integration and team maturity among participants in the first scenario,leading to the delayed start of the activity,task distribution,and decision making.These shortcomings were improved in the second scenario.In-depth interviews with 20 participants in the second phase of the study revealed improved knowledge and practical skills,self-confidence,and ability in team building within trans-professional groups in the second scenario,which in concordance with the integration theory,was due to the attempts made in the first scenario.Additionally,there was an improvement in the team’s maturity,which in concordance with the maturity theory,was due to the knowledge and practical skills during scenario plays.These results indicate the importance of continuous tabletop training,and the use of CSCATTT as a collaborative instrument,to promote the development of collaboration and to test the concept of preparedness.

Impact of Virtual Disaster Collaboration Exercises on Disaster Leadership at Hospitals in Saudi Arabia

This study measured the impact of virtual three-level collaboration (3LC) exercises on participants’ perceived levels of collaboration, learning, and utility (CLU) at hospitals in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. Our 3LC exercise is a tabletop training tool used to facilitate disaster education and document CLU. This model enables the practitioner to acquire new knowledge and promotes active learning. An English version of the CLU scale, the validated Swedish survey tool, was applied to 100 healthcare managers or leaders in various positions at both the operational and tactical levels after conducting the 3LC exercises. The response rate was 100%, although not all questions were answered in some cases. The results show that most participants strongly agreed that the exercises focused on collaboration (r^(2) = 0.767) and that they had acquired new knowledge during the exercises. There was a statistically significant association between participation in the collaboration exercises and perceived learning (r^(2) = 0.793), as well as between perceived learning and utility (r^(2) = 0.811). The collaboration exercises enhance the perceived effects of CLU. They also improve the ability of participants to adapt situational strategies to achieve a safer society. Although exercises were conducted virtually, they were well received by the participants and achieved a value M = 4.4 CLU score, which opens up new dimensions in collaboration simulation exercises.

Latex allergy in Bozyaka Social Security Hospital workers, Turkey

Latex glove used in healthcare settings has risen dramatically since around 1987. The increased threat of contracting HIV, hepatitis B, and other infectious agents during the course of delivering health care to patients has created the need for barrier protection. Studies have estimated that the prevalence of latex allergy in healthcare workers ranged from 2. 9% up to 17%.