Transportation capacity for patients with highly infectious diseases in Europe: a survey in 16 nations (original) (raw)
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Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 2012
Objective. To collect data about personal protective equipment (PPE) management and to provide indications for improving PPE policies in Europe. Design. Descriptive, cross-sectional survey. Setting and Participants. Data were collected in 48 isolation facilities in 16 European countries nominated by National Health Authorities for the management of highly infectious diseases (HIDs). Methods. Data were collected through standardized checklists at on-site visits during February-November 2009. Indications for adequate PPE policies were developed on the basis of a literature review, partners' expert opinions, and the collected data. Results. All facilities have procedures for the selection of PPE in case of HID, and 44 have procedures for the removal of PPE. In 40 facilities, different levels of PPE are used according to a risk assessment process, and in 8 facilities, high-level PPE (eg, positive-pressure complete suits or Trexler units) is always used. A fit test is performed at 25...
European concepts for the domestic transport of highly infectious patients
Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2009
Highly infectious diseases involve clinical syndromes ranging from single to multiorgan infections and pose a constant threat to the public. In the absence of a definite treatment for most causative agents, patients benefit from maximum supportive care as clinical conditions may deteriorate in the short term. Hence, following initial case identification and isolation, rapid transportation to a specialized treatment unit must be considered in order to minimize the risk of secondary infections, but this is limited by available infrastructure, accessible care en route and the patient's clinical condition. Despite the development of consensus curricula for the clinical management of highly infectious patients, medical transportation lacks a common European approach. This article describes, as examples, three current European concepts for the domestic relocation of highly infectious patients by ground vehicles and aircraft with respect to national legislation and geography.
PLoS ONE, 2014
Background: Highly Infectious Diseases (HIDs) are (i) easily transmissible form person to person; (ii) cause a life-threatening illness with no or few treatment options; and (iii) pose a threat for both personnel and the public. Hence, even suspected HID cases should be managed in specialised facilities minimizing infection risks but allowing state-of-the-art critical care. Consensus statements on the operational management of isolation facilities have been published recently. The study presented was set up to compare the operational management, resources, and technical equipment among European isolation facilities. Due to differences in geography, population density, and national response plans it was hypothesized that adherence to recommendations will vary. Methods and Findings: Until mid of 2010 the European Network for Highly Infectious Diseases conducted a cross-sectional analysis of isolation facilities in Europe, recruiting 48 isolation facilities in 16 countries. Three checklists were disseminated, assessing 44 items and 148 specific questions. The median feedback rate for specific questions was 97.9% (n = 47/48) (range: n = 7/48 (14.6%) to n = 48/48 (100%). Although all facilities enrolled were nominated specialised facilities' serving countries or regions, their design, equipment and personnel management varied. Eighteen facilities fulfilled the definition of a High Level Isolation Unit'. In contrast, 24 facilities could not operate independently from their co-located hospital, and five could not ensure access to equipment essential for infection control. Data presented are not representative for the EU in general, as only 16/27 (59.3%) of all Member States agreed to participate. Another limitation of this study is the time elapsed between data collection and publication; e.g. in Germany one additional facility opened in the meantime. Conclusion: There are disparities both within and between European countries regarding the design and equipment of isolation facilities. With regard to the International Health Regulations, terminology, capacities and equipment should be standardised.
2021
Covid–19 is a highly infectious disease and transporting an infected patient presents a serious hazard to the public as well as the health worker therefore specific control measures are required. A guideline need to be in place to facilitate easy, safe and efficient transport system to minimize the risk of transmission of infection to the health care worker and the community. Keywords: Corona virus; Personal protection equipment; Ambulance; Disinfection; Decontamination Citation: Abubakar B, Jibrin YB, Hassan Z, Abdullahi IS, Ibrahim M, Suleiman L. Intra– and inter–hospital transportation of a COVID–19 patient; observing safety of the patient, the health worker and the community. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2021;25(3):383–386. DOI: doi.org/10.35975/apic.v25i3.1534 Received: April 4, 2021; Reviewed: April 25, 2021; Accepted: May 15, 2021
Patient safety in hospitals can be compromised by preventable adverse events (AE). Among the preventable AEs, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are one of the most burdensome, contributing to not only poorer patient outcomes but institutional burden through direct financial losses and increased patient length of stay. Technological innovations can enhance patient safety by automating tasks, introducing medication alerts, clinical reminders, improved diagnostic and consultation reports, facilitating information sharing, improving clinical decisionmaking, intercepting potential errors, reducing variation in practice, and managing workforce shortages as well as making complete patient data available. A multidisciplinary working group from three European countries was convened to discuss how to optimise the use of technology to reduce preventable AEs in acute care hospitals. The working group identified examples where they felt there were opportunities to streamline patient pathways, including antimicrobial stewardship, point of care testing, microbiology test reporting to streamline time from sample-taking to clinical decision and mobile automated dispensing systems, which can reduce the burden on overworked staff. The working group also discussed key factors that were critical to ensuring different stakeholders, both within and outside the hospital, could meaningfully contribute to improving patient safety. They agreed that technological approaches and advances would have limited impact without meaningful cultural changes at all levels of healthcare infrastructure to implement the benefits offered by current or future technologies.
Implementation of patient safety strategies in European hospitals
Quality and Safety in Health Care, 2009
Context: This study is part of the Methods of Assessing Response to Quality Improvement Strategies (MARQuIS) research project on cross-border care, investigating quality improvement strategies in healthcare systems across the European Union (EU). Aim: To explore to what extent a sample of acute care European hospitals have implemented patient safety strategies and mechanisms and whether the implementation is related to the type of hospital. Methods: Data were collected on patient safety structures and mechanisms in 389 acute care hospitals in eight EU countries using a web-based questionnaire. Subsequently, an on-site audit was carried out by independent surveyors in 89 of these hospitals to assess patient safety outputs. This paper presents univariate and bivariate statistics on the implementation and explores the associations between implementation of patient safety strategies and hospital type using the x 2 test and Fisher exact test. Results: Structures and plans for safety (including responsibilities regarding patient safety management) are well developed in most of the hospitals that participated in this study. The study found greater variation regarding the implementation of mechanisms or activities to promote patient safety, such as electronic drug prescription systems, guidelines for prevention of wrong patient, wrong site and wrong surgical procedure, and adverse events reporting systems. In the sample of hospitals that underwent audit, a considerable proportion do not comply with basic patient safety strategies-for example, using bracelets for adult patient identification and correct labelling of medication.
Assessment of three "who" patient safety solutions: Where do we stand and what can we do?
International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2015
Background: Most medical errors are preventable. The aim of this study was to compare the current execution of the 3 patient safety solutions with WHO suggested actions and standards. Methods: Data collection forms and direct observation were used to determine the status of implementation of existing protocols, resources, and tools. Results: In the field of patient handover , there was no standardized approach. In the field of the performance of correct procedure at the correct body site, there were no safety checklists, guideline, and educational content for informing the patients and their families about the procedure. In the field of hand hygiene (HH), although availability of necessary resources was acceptable, availability of promotional HH posters and reminders was substandard. Conclusions: There are some limitations of resources, protocols, and standard checklists in all three areas. We designed some tools that will help both wards to improve patient safety by the implementation of adapted WHO suggested actions.