Articles: pandemics.
-
Palliative medicine · May 2023
ReviewUnderstanding advance care planning in care homes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: A critical realist review and synthesis.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted advance care planning discussions in care homes, particularly discussions involving relatives and surrogate decision makers. There is a need to collate and examine current evidence to assess the extent of the problem. ⋯ Results highlight part of the new context facing staff, relatives and residents in care homes, thus providing valuable insight for future intervention development required to maintain and improve the effectiveness of advance care planning in care homes during and beyond the pandemic.
-
JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc · May 2023
Mean Brixia Severity Scores among Symptomatic COVID-19 Patients in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.
COVID-19 is a highly contagious viral disease which escalated into a global pandemic since its outbreak on 31 December 2019. Chest X-rays are the most common investigation in suspected cases to diagnose and manage pneumonia. The aim of this study was to find out the mean Brixia severity scores among symptomatic COVID-19 patients in a tertiary care centre. ⋯ COVID-19; Nepal; pneumonia; prevalence; x-ray.
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · May 2023
Technical Innovation in Critical Care in a World of Constraints: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The COVID-19 crisis was characterized by a massive need for respiratory support, which has unfortunately not been met globally. This situation mimicked those which gave rise to critical care in the past. Since the polio epidemic in the 50's, the technological evolution of respiratory support has enabled health professionals to save the lives of critically-ill patients worldwide every year. ⋯ Having a universal access to oxygen and respiratory support, irrespective of the context and constraints, necessitates: i) developing cost-effective, energy-efficient, and maintenance-free oxygen generation devices; ii) improving the design of non-invasive respiratory devices (for example, with oxygen saving properties); iii) conceiving fully frugal ventilators and universal monitoring systems; iv) broadening ventilation expertise by developing end-user training programs in ventilator assistance. The frugal innovation approach may give rise to a more resilient and inclusive critical care system. This paradigm shift is essential for the current and future challenges.
-
Observational Study
The effect of COVID-19 in a university hospital neurosurgery clinic comparison to pre-pandemic period: a retrospective study with 6 months of data.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected all countries' health systems and people's lifestyles. In this study, we aimed to investigate its effects in a university hospital neurosurgery clinic. ⋯ The pandemic and restrictions affected negatively the health system and people's access to healthcare. Our retrospective observational study aimed to evaluate these effects and take lessons for the next similar situations. People's access to health care should be considered when lockdown restrictions.
-
Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · May 2023
Community engaged research to measure the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable community member's well-being and health : A mixed methods approach.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing income inequality and health disparities in the United States (US). The objective of this study was to conduct timely, community-engaged research to understand the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on historically under-resourced communities with the goal of improving health equity. The initiative focused on priorities identified by Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) conducted every 3 years per Federal funding requirements. These were access to healthcare, maternal/child health, obesity/food insecurity/physical activity, and mental health/addiction. ⋯ Healthcare systems may use the methodology outlined in this paper to conduct responsive community engagement during periods of instability and/or crisis and to address health equity issues. The results can inform sustainable approaches to collaborate with communities to build resilience and prepare for future crises.