scholarly journals Game theory to enhance stock management of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 outbreak

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246110
Author(s):  
Khaled Abedrabboh ◽  
Matthias Pilz ◽  
Zaid Al-Fagih ◽  
Othman S. Al-Fagih ◽  
Jean-Christophe Nebel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Theoretic Approach ◽  
Stock Management ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Viable Solution ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
Game Theoretic

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare facilities have suffered from shortages in medical resources, particularly in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In this paper, we propose a game-theoretic approach to schedule PPE orders among healthcare facilities. In this PPE game, each independent healthcare facility optimises its own storage utilisation in order to keep its PPE cost at a minimum. Such a model can reduce peak demand considerably when applied to a variable PPE consumption profile. Experiments conducted for NHS England regions using actual data confirm that the challenge of securing PPE supply during disasters such as COVID-19 can be eased if proper stock management procedures are adopted. These procedures can include early stockpiling, increasing storage capacities and implementing measures that can prolong the time period between successive infection waves, such as social distancing measures. Simulation results suggest that the provision of PPE dedicated storage space can be a viable solution to avoid straining PPE supply chains in case a second wave of COVID-19 infections occurs.

scholarly journals Personal protective equipment compliance among laundry workers in secondary and tertiary health facilities in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 936
Author(s):  
Emmanuel N. Omoijiade ◽  
Lucky Evbuomwan
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Benin City ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Tertiary Healthcare ◽  
Recommended Level

Background: Generally, personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used by healthcare workers, as they provide a physical barrier between hazards and the wearer. Exposure to occupational hazards in the laundry can be limited by the use of PPE such as barrier gowns, gloves, eyewear, foot coverings and face masks. This study provides information on the PPE compliance of the workers at the laundry, as this would prove useful in order to establish appropriate interventions to minimize occupational risks of workers in the healthcare laundries.Methods: This study was a comparative cross-sectional study. It was conducted in six hospitals with a laundry department in Benin-city, composed of one available tertiary healthcare facility and five secondary healthcare facilities. Questionnaire was administered to the workers concerning the availability and use of PPE.Results: The common PPE used were nose masks (7.9%), hand gloves (39.5%), safety boots (3.6%) and coveralls (84.5%). Respondents revealed that eye goggles or face shields and ear plugs or muffs were never provided for them.Conclusions: Compliance of respondents to PPE was not at an optimally recommended level. It is recommended that efforts be made to ensure that workers comply with PPE use, while providing all necessary protective equipment, which should first be assessed before selection and use.

COVID-19: The Importance of Adequate Personal Protective Equipment in Healthcare Medical Staff

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Weissenstein
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Emotional Resilience ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
And Control

We present an update on infection prevention and control for COVID-19 in healthcare settings. This update focuses on measures to be applied in settings with increasing community transmission, growing demand for concern about COVID-19 patients, and subsequent staffing issues in the event of shortages of personal protective equipment for healthcare facilities worldwide. The comfort and emotional resilience of health care workers are key components in maintaining essential health care services during the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) outbreak.

scholarly journals Infection control practices and challenges in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
pp. 175717742110127
Author(s):  
Salma Abbas ◽  
Faisal Sultan
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
And Control

Background: Patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities during outbreaks hinges on a prompt infection prevention and control response. Physicians leading these programmes have encountered numerous obstacles during the pandemic. Aim/objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate infection prevention and control practices and explore the challenges in Pakistan during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and administered a survey to physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes at 18 hospitals in Pakistan. Results: All participants implemented universal masking, limited the intake of patients and designated separate triage areas, wards and intensive care units for coronavirus disease 2019 patients at their hospitals. Eleven (61%) physicians reported personal protective equipment shortages. Staff at three (17%) hospitals worked without the appropriate personal protective equipment due to limited supplies. All participants felt overworked and 17 (94%) reported stress. Physicians identified the lack of negative pressure rooms, fear and anxiety among hospital staff, rapidly evolving guidelines, personal protective equipment shortages and opposition from hospital staff regarding the choice of recommended personal protective equipment as major challenges during the pandemic. Discussion: The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes in Pakistan. It is essential to support infection prevention and control personnel and bridge the identified gaps to ensure patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities.

scholarly journals Preparedness and response of a tertiary hospital to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: challenges, opportunities and lessons

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darlington E Obaseki ◽  
Iriagbonse I Osaigbovo ◽  
Esohe O Ogboghodo ◽  
Omokhoa Adeleye ◽  
Obehi A Akoria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Scientific Journals ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Individual Healthcare

Abstract Africa was the last continent to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the discourse on Africa's response captured in scientific journals revolves around nations, public health agencies and organizations, but little is documented about how individual healthcare facilities have fared. This article reports the challenges faced in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria, including space constraints, diagnostic challenges, shortages in personal protective equipment and health worker infections. The opportunities and strengths that aided the response are also highlighted. The lessons learned will be useful to similar facilities. More information about health facility response at various levels is needed to comprehensively assess Africa's response to the pandemic.

scholarly journals Factors to Consider in the Use of Vital Signs Wearables to Minimize Contact With Stable COVID-19 Patients: Experience of Its Implementation During the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Monica Pei Jin Fan ◽  
Shin Yuh Ang ◽  
Ghee Chee Phua ◽  
Lee Chen Ee ◽  
Kok Cheong Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Wearable Device ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Industry ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Vital Signs Monitoring ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Patients Experience

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a huge burden on the healthcare industry worldwide. Pressures to increase the isolation healthcare facility to cope with the growing number of patients led to an exploration of the use of wearables for vital signs monitoring among stable COVID-19 patients. Vital signs wearables were chosen for use in our facility with the purpose of reducing patient contact and preserving personal protective equipment. The process of deciding on the wearable solution as well as the implementation of the solution brought much insight to the team. This paper presents an overview of factors to consider in implementing a vital signs wearable solution. This includes considerations before deciding on whether or not to use a wearable device, followed by key criteria of the solution to assess. With the use of wearables rising in popularity, this serves as a guide for others who may want to implement it in their institutions.

scholarly journals Hand Hygiene and Personal Protective Equipment in Healthcare Settings During COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-75
Author(s):  
Md Rezaul Karim ◽  
Sushil Kumar Sah ◽  
Afsarunnesa Syeda ◽  
Muhammad Tanvir Faysol ◽  
Aminur Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Mandatory Training ◽  
Before And After

Objective: This study conducted to implement protective measures in healthcare settings during theCOVID-19 pandemic in the context of Bangladesh. Methods: It is an observational survey study. A pre-designed open questionnaire electronic linkusing google form was used to collect data from 500 healthcare workers within Bangladesh in whichparticipants were observed, and variables were measured. Results: The study findings revealed that among all participants, 70.9% were working in COVID-19dedicated hospitals, and 1.8% were diagnosed with COVID-19 while working. The study showed that69.1% of participants washed hands before and after consulting/handling each patient, 69.1% hadreadily available rubs/sanitizer in their healthcare facility, and 65.5% adhered principals ofhandwashing. The study also revealed that only 76.4% of participants maintained aseptic precautionsfor donning/doffing. Conclusion: The study findings recommend that mandatory training and maintaining asepticprecautions for PPE putting on (donning), and removal (doffing) is equally important. Bangladesh J Medicine July 2020; 31(2) :69-75

scholarly journals Worldwide 3D Printers against the New Coronavirus

Prosthesis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Fiorillo ◽  
Teresa Leanza
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Three Dimensional Printing ◽  
Digital World ◽  
3D Printers ◽  
Low Costs ◽  
The Times ◽  
Dimensional Printing

The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus has placed national health systems of different countries in difficulty, and has demonstrated the need for many types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Thanks to the advent of new three-dimensional printing technologies, it was possible to share print files (using stereolithography (stl)) quickly and easily, improve them cooperatively, and allow anyone who possessed the materials, a suitable 3D printer and these files, to print. The possibility of being able to print three-dimensional supports, or complete personal protective equipment has been of incredible help in the management of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). The times and the relatively low costs have allowed a wide diffusion of these devices, especially for the structures that needed them, mainly healthcare facilities. 3D printing, now includes different fields of application, and represents, thanks to the evolution of methods and printers, an important step towards the “digital world”.

scholarly journals 824. Isolation Rounding - Enforcing Existing Isolation Policies to Conserve Personal Protective Equipment

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S454-S454
Author(s):  
Joshua K Schaffzin ◽  
Stephanie Herber ◽  
Nicole Kneflin ◽  
Matthew Frazier ◽  
Alyssa Paolella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Return On Investment ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Pediatric Intensive Care ◽  
Nurse Educator ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) have been limited and sold at increased cost. Prior to the pandemic, we had initiated a project to improve PPE adherence and decrease cost by removing eligible patients from transmission based precautions (TBPs). At baseline, ordering providers are responsible for TBP utilization with orders through the electronic medical record. We observed that patients were in TBP when not indicated; remained in TBP beyond the appropriate time; and a reluctance on the part of providers to discontinue the orders. We tested the effect on TBP duration and PPE utilization house-wide through frequent review of TBP by a nurse educator with communication to providers of discontinuation opportunities. Methods From November 2019 to February 2020, all TBP orders in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) were reviewed intermittently. In March 2020, review was expanded to all inpatients with daily reviews in all units. Changes recommended and completed were tracked for all reviewed patients. We estimated cost of PPE in the PICU over time based on the number of patients in isolation and type of TBP utilized to determine whether our intervention resulted in reduced PPE use. Results Regular rounding in the PICU increased the proportion of patients in appropriate TBP and reduced the need to communicate with providers directly (33% vs 3% requiring intervention, Figure 1). Over the same time period, less PPE was used and PPE-related costs lowered (average total PPE cost $306.18 vs $95.15 per day, Figure 2). Less of an effect was seen when analyzing house-wide data. Figure 1 - P-chart of Percent Interventions Among Patients in TBP Figure 2 - X-chart of Total PPE Cost in the ICU Conclusion Isolation rounds is an effective means to ensure proper TBP adherence and manage PPE use appropriately. Additional study is needed to confirm a return on investment, to account for variation among units, and to sustain COVID-19-influenced gains beyond the pandemic. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Safe Healthcare Facilities: A Systematic Review on the Costs of Establishing and Maintaining Environmental Health in Facilities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 817
Author(s):  
Darcy M. Anderson ◽  
Ryan Cronk ◽  
Donald Fejfar ◽  
Emily Pak ◽  
Michelle Cawley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Vector Control ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

A hygienic environment is essential to provide quality patient care and prevent healthcare-acquired infections. Understanding costs is important to budget for service delivery, but costs evidence for environmental health services (EHS) in healthcare facilities (HCFs) is lacking. We present the first systematic review to evaluate the costs of establishing, operating, and maintaining EHS in HCFs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We systematically searched for studies costing water, sanitation, hygiene, cleaning, waste management, personal protective equipment, vector control, laundry, and lighting in LMICs. Our search yielded 36 studies that reported costs for 51 EHS. There were 3 studies that reported costs for water, 3 for sanitation, 4 for hygiene, 13 for waste management, 16 for cleaning, 2 for personal protective equipment, 10 for laundry, and none for lighting or vector control. Quality of evidence was low. Reported costs were rarely representative of the total costs of EHS provision. Unit costs were infrequently reported. This review identifies opportunities to improve costing research through efforts to categorize and disaggregate EHS costs, greater dissemination of existing unpublished data, improvements to indicators to monitor EHS demand and quality necessary to contextualize costs, and development of frameworks to define EHS needs and essential inputs to guide future costing.

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