Tracking industry responsiveness to COVID-19 – what has happened and what lies ahead

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 442
Author(s):  
Joelle Mitchell ◽  
Derrick O'Keeffe
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Supply Chain Disruptions ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Risk Management Strategies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Offshore Petroleum

This study will provide a longitudinal account of how the Australian offshore petroleum industry has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the response has evolved over time, and will provide a regulatory perspective on the future challenges arising from the changes that have occurred during the industry in response to the pandemic. Since March 2020, the National Offshore Safety and Environmental Management Authority has been actively collecting information about the approach taken by the offshore petroleum industry to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial response focused on infectious disease control measures, identifying strategies to prevent disease transmission on offshore facilities and to respond should an outbreak occur offshore. The next phase considered the potential consequences of the infection control measures on facility safety and integrity, including the impact of reduced personnel on board on safety critical maintenance activities and emergency response capability, assurance of competence profile requirements being sustained on facilities, the long-term consequences of delayed routine maintenance, supply chain disruptions and access to specialist workforce. It became apparent that a rapid recovery to pre-COVID-19 conditions was unlikely, and the impacts would likely continue for some time; and psychosocial and fatigue risk management strategies were explored. Data collection methods included: surveys of operators, workplace inspections, review of documents and records, interviews with members of the workforce and participation in industry working groups.

scholarly journals Quantifying the impact of individual and collective compliance with infection control measures for ethical public health policy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Roberts ◽  
Euzebiusz Jamrozik ◽  
George S. Heriot ◽  
Michael J. Selgelid ◽  
Joel C. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infectious Individual ◽  
The Public ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Mathematical Techniques ◽  
The Impact

AbstractCompliance with infectious disease control measures can benefit public health but be burdensome for individuals. This raises ethical questions regarding the value of the public health benefit created by individual and collective compliance. Answering such questions requires estimating the total benefit from an individual’s compliance, and how much of that benefit is experienced by others. This is complicated by “overdetermination” in infectious disease transmission: each susceptible person may have contact with more than one infectious individual, such that preventing one transmission may have no net effect if the same susceptible person is infected later. This article explores mathematical techniques enabling quantification of the impacts of individuals and groups complying with three types of public health measures: quarantine of arrivals, isolation of infected individuals, and vaccination/prophylaxis. The models presented suggest that these interventions all exhibit synergy: each intervention becomes more effective on a per-individual basis as the number complying increases, because overdetermination of outcomes is reduced, Thus additional compliance reduces transmission to a greater degree.

scholarly journals The impact of population-wide rapid antigen testing on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in Slovakia

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. eabf9648
Author(s):  
Martin Pavelka ◽  
Kevin Van-Zandvoort ◽  
Sam Abbott ◽  
Katharine Sherratt ◽  
Marek Majdan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Household Members ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Antigen Testing

Slovakia conducted multiple rounds of population-wide rapid antigen testing for SARS-CoV-2 in late 2020, combined with a period of additional contact restrictions. Observed prevalence decreased by 58% (95% CI: 57-58%) within one week in the 45 counties that were subject to two rounds of mass testing, an estimate that remained robust when adjusting for multiple potential confounders. Adjusting for epidemic growth of 4.4% (1.1-6.9%) per day preceding the mass testing campaign, the estimated decrease in prevalence compared to a scenario of unmitigated growth was 70% (67-73%). Modelling indicated that this decrease could not be explained solely by infection control measures, but required the additional impact of isolation and quarantine of household members of those testing positive.

Multihospital Outbreak ofClostridium difficileRibotype 027 Infection: Epidemiology and Analysis of Control Measures

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamoon A. Aldeyab ◽  
Michael J. Devine ◽  
Peter Flanagan ◽  
Michael Mannion ◽  
Avril Craig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Environmental Hygiene ◽  
Ribotype 027 ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Large Outbreak ◽  
The Impact

Objective.To report a large outbreak ofClostridium difficileinfection (CDI; ribotype 027) between June 2007 and August 2008, describe infection control measures, and evaluate the impact of restricting the use of fluoroquinolones in controlling the outbreak.Design.Outbreak investigation in 3 acute care hospitals of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland.Interventions.Implementation of a series of CDI control measures that targeted high-risk antibiotic agents (ie, restriction of fluoroquinolones), infection control practices, and environmental hygiene.Results.A total of 318 cases of CDI were identified during the outbreak, which was the result of the interaction betweenC. difficileribotype 027 being introduced into the affected hospitals for the first time and other predisposing risk factors (ranging from host factors to suboptimal compliance with antibiotic guidelines and infection control policies). The 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 24.5%; however, CDI was the attributable cause of death for only 2.5% of the infected patients. Time series analysis showed that restricting the use of fluoroquinolones was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of CDI (coefficient, —0.054; lag time, 4 months;P= .003).Conclusion.These findings provide additional evidence to support the value of antimicrobial stewardship as an essential element of multifaceted interventions to control CDI outbreaks. The present CDI outbreak was ended following the implementation of an action plan improving communication, antibiotic stewardship, infection control practices, environmental hygiene, and surveillance.

The Analysis of the Impact of a Mild, Low-iodine, Lotion Soap on the Reduction of Nosocomial Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A New Opportunity for Surveillance by Objectives

1987 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 284-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim M. Onesko ◽  
Eugene C. Wienke
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Care Community ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Medical Division ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Community Teaching

AbstractA significant unremitting increase in the incidence of nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in a 500-bed acute care community teaching hospital prompted reevaluation of the efficacy of the infection control measures used. A well-accepted, low-iodine, antimicrobial soap was used to replace a liquid natural handsoap in two areas with the highest incidence of MRSA—the intensive care unit, and a medical division.Over a two-year period, an analysis was made of the effect of soap replacement on nosocomial infections and pathogens. Soap changeover occurred at the midpoint of the two-year period. From year to year, the nosocomial MRSA rate decreased 80% (t test, P=0.005). Other pathogens that demonstrated a dramatic decrease included methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), infections where no pathogens were isolated, and various gram-negative infections. Categories of nosocomial infections that decreased included surgical wound infections, primary bacteremias, and respiratory tract infections. The overall nosocomial infection rate of the two combined areas decreased 21.5%, representing a year-to-year savings of $109,500. As a result, the decision was made to install the low-iodine hand-soap permanently at all sinks within the hospital.

Control of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci at a Community Hospital: Efficacy of Patient and Staff Cohorting

1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise M. Jochimsen ◽  
Laurie Fish ◽  
Kelly Manning ◽  
Sally Young ◽  
Daniel A. Singer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Hospital ◽  
Point Prevalence ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Prevalence Survey ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Contact Isolation ◽  
Point Prevalence Survey ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the efficacy of patient and staff cohorting to control vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) at an Indianapolis community hospital.Design:To interrupt transmission of VRE, a VRE point-prevalence survey of hospital inpatients was conducted, and VRE-infected or -colonized patients were cohorted on a single ward with dedicated nursing staff and patient-care equipment. To assess the impact of the intervention, staff compliance with contact isolation procedures was observed, and the VRE point-prevalence survey was repeated 2 months after the cohort ward was established.Results:Following the establishment of the cohort ward, VRE prevalence among all hospitalized inpatients decreased from 8.1% to 4.7% (25 positive cultures among 310 patients compared to 13 positive cultures among 276 patients,P=.14); VRE prevalence among patients whose VRE status was unknown before cultures were obtained decreased from 5.9% to 0.8% (18 positive cultures among 303 patients compared to 2 positive cultures among 262 patients,P=.002); and observed staff-patient interactions compliant with published isolation recommendations increased (5 [22%] of 23 interactions compared to 36 [88%] of 41 interactions,P<.0001).Conclusions:Our data suggest that, in hospitals with endemic VRE or continued VRE transmission despite implementation of contact isolation measures, establishing a VRE cohort ward may be a practical and effective method to improve compliance with infection control measures and thereby to control epidemic or endemic VRE transmission.

scholarly journals Retrospective Study on Personal Protective Equipment During Pandemic Link to Outbreak of Carbpenem-Resistant Enterobacteriace

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (S1) ◽  
pp. s9-s10
Author(s):  
Kenisha Evans ◽  
Jennifer LeRose ◽  
Angela Beatriz Cruz ◽  
Lavina Jabbo ◽  
Teena Chopra
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Horizontal Transmission ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
The Impact

Background: In 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), had cost the lives of >35,000 patients, particularly the most virulent plasmid-mediated New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM). Although healthcare systems normally have strict surveillance and infection control measures for CRE, the rapid emergence of novel SAR-CoV-2 and COVID-19 led to a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies. As a result, routine infection practices, such as contact precautions, were violated. Studies have shown this depletion and shift in resources compromised the control of infections such CRE leading to rising horizontal transmission. Method: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary healthcare system in Detroit, Michigan, to determine the impact of PPE shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic on NDM infection rates. The following periods were established during 2020 based on PPE availability: (1) pre-PPE shortage (January–June), (2) PPE shortage (July–October), and (3) post-PPE shortage (November–December). Rates of NDM per 10,000 patient days were compared between periods using the Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test. Isolates were confirmed resistant by NDM by molecular typing performed by the Michigan State Health Department. Patient characteristics were gathered by medical chart review and patient interviews by telephone. Results: Overall, the average rate of NDM infections was 1.82 ±1.5 per 10,000 patient days. Rates during the PPE shortage were significantly higher, averaging 3.6 ±1.1 cases per 10,000 patient days (P = .02). During this time, several infections occurred within patients on the same unit and/or patients with same treating team, suggesting possible horizontal transmission. Once PPE stock was replenished and isolation practices were reinstated, NDM infection rates decreased to 0.77 ±1.1 per 10,000 patient days. Conclusion: Control of CRE requires strategic planning with active surveillance, antimicrobial constructs, and infection control measures. The study illustrates that in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the burden of effective infection control requires much more multidisciplinary efforts to prevent unintentional lapses in patient safety. A swift response by the state and local health departments at a tertiary-care healthcare center conveyed a positive mitigation of the highest clinical threats and decreased horizontal transmission of disease.Funding: NoDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Physicochemical and Microbiological Water Quality Assessment of Aba Waterside River, Aba, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-148
Author(s):  
L. O. Bobor ◽  
C. M. Umeh
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Water Quality Control ◽  
Inorganic Substances ◽  
The Impact

The indiscriminate disposal of industrial effluents and solid wastes in surface water bodies is detrimental to humans and aquatic organisms. Water quality monitoring is critical to identify pollutants of concern and develop effective management strategies. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the impact of waste disposal on the water quality of Aba Waterside River, Ogbor hill, Aba. Grab samples were collected upstream, midstream and downstream and some physicochemical and microbiological parameters were analyzed in accordance with standard methods for the analysis of water and wastewater. The results were compared with the Nigerian standard for drinking water quality and the national environmental effluent limitation regulations. Turbidity levels (10 -31mg/l) exceeded the maximum permissible levels for drinking water (5mg/l) and may be associated with higher levels of embedded disease-causing microbes and potentially harmful organic and inorganic substances. The biological oxygen demand midstream (1960mg/l) was remarkably high due to the effluent discharged from the abattoirs at that point. Fecal coliforms (3-198MPN/100ml) were detected in all samples, indicating the presence of other potentially harmful microorganisms. The findings of this study indicate that the water is unsuitable for direct drinking water purposes and stringent water quality control measures should be implemented.

scholarly journals Adaptability and responsiveness: keys to operational measures in a regional hospital radiology department during the current COVID-19 pandemic

BJR|Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 20200017
Author(s):  
Pratik Mukherjee ◽  
Tze Chwan Lim ◽  
Ashish Chawla ◽  
Hong Chou ◽  
Wilfred C G Peh
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Regional Hospital ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Radiology Department ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
The Past ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Operational Practices

The rapid and mostly uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic over the past 4 months has overwhelmed many healthcare systems worldwide. In Singapore, while our public healthcare institutions were considered well prepared due to our prior experience with the SARS outbreak, there was an unexpected surge of infected patients over the recent 2 months to deal with. We describe our radiology department’s experience in modifying operational practices and implementing strict infection control measures aimed at minimizing disease transmission and mitigating the potential impact of possible staff infection. From the perspective of serving a medium-sized regional hospital and limited by physical and manpower constraints, our radiology department had to adapt quickly and modify our initial responses and practices as the disease scenario changed. We have also enumerated some guidelines for planning future radiology departments.

scholarly journals Genetic management strategies for controlling infectious diseases in livestock populations

2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 55-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Bishop ◽  
K. Mackenzie
Keyword(s):  
Disease Resistance ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Disease Resistance Genes ◽  
Breeding Strategies ◽  
Genetic Management ◽  
Control Disease ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Prp Gene

Disease resistance is often cited as the major challenge facing animal geneticists, with much effort directed towards finding disease-resistance genes. The PrP gene controlling resistance of sheep to scrapie is such an example. To design effective breeding strategies utilising such genes, it is critical to understand the impact that these genes have upon disease transmission. For example, it has been shown that it is not necessary to make all animals genetically resistant in order to protect the population as a whole from epidemics (MacKenzie and Bishop, 1999). Additionally, concern is often voiced over the possibility of the pathogen co-evolving with the host, reducing the utility of the genes. By combining animal breeding and epidemiology theory, this study derives strategies for using disease resistance genes to control disease transmission, and considers the co-evolution risks with such strategies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document