scholarly journals Language as a Trigger for Racism: Language Barriers at Healthcare Institutions in Slovenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Uršula Lipovec Čebron
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Language Barriers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Institutional Responses ◽  
Slovene Language ◽  
Governmental Institutions ◽  
Intercultural Mediators ◽  
The Impact

The article analyzes the impact of language barriers on the medical treatment of foreign-speaking patients and illustrates that the absence of systemic, institutional responses to language barriers in healthcare facilities exacerbates racist attitudes toward migrants and ethnic groups. The article is based on 201 interviews with healthcare workers, employees of public or non-governmental institutions as well as users of healthcare services that were conducted between 2018 and 2019 in twelve local communities in Slovenia. Following the methodological and conceptual framework, the first part of the article highlights the various negative consequences of language barriers experienced by healthcare workers and foreign-speaking patients. The second part shows that in the absence of an accessible network of professional intercultural mediators or interpreters, healthcare workers are left to their own devices with respect to overcoming language barriers. Finally, the last part of the article shows that many interlocutors are increasingly searching for the culprit for this situation. Some healthcare workers attribute the responsibility to the abstract concept of the “system”, while others attribute the responsibility exclusively to migrants, thus perpetuating key elements of the culture of racism present in Slovenia. In this culture of racism, knowledge of Slovene language becomes one of the most important criteria that distinguishes deserving from undeserving migrants. The latter are a privileged object of racist responses at the level of cultural, institutional and personal racism, which is proving to be mutually toxic.

Healthcare facilities maintenance management: a literature review

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 352-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Yousefli ◽  
Fuzhan Nasiri ◽  
Osama Moselhi
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Facility Management ◽  
Maintenance Management ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Management Functions ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The complexity and criticality of healthcare services highlight the importance of maintenance management function in healthcare facilities. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on maintenance management of healthcare facilities and hospital buildings to provide an organized literature review and identify gaps from the perspective of research and practice. Design/methodology/approach The paper categorizes the literature and adopts a review hierarchy according to maintenance management functions in hospital buildings. It explores the impact of those functions on the performance of maintenance activities in hospitals. Furthermore, it examines the role of information technology and automated decision support systems in facilitating hospital maintenance management functions and performance. Findings Literature on maintenance management in healthcare facilities and hospital buildings has so far been very limited. Recently published literature focusing on healthcare facilities management and its maintenance management functions is classified into various areas and sub-areas. The paper highlights gaps in the literature and suggests avenues for future research and improvements. Originality/value The paper contains a comprehensive listing of publications and their classifications according to various attributes. It will be useful for researchers, maintenance managers, practitioners and stakeholders concerned with facility management of hospital buildings.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to COVID-19 Pandemic among healthcare workers in the United Arab Emirates: A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amina M. Al Marzouqi ◽  
Michael E. Otim ◽  
Leena S. Kehail ◽  
Ramsha A. Kamal
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
New Variant ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19 Pandemic) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is a global health issue that continues to have an impact on many aspects of everyday life. A new variant, Omicron variant, has just been detected in Southern Africa. Most countries are jittery and unsure what the impact of this new variant will be. This study, undertaken in 2021, investigated the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) related to the COVID-19 Pandemic among healthcare workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods: We used an online questionnaire to collect data using the Google Forms link in this cross-sectional study. The participants included healthcare workers currently working in UAE healthcare facilities using snowball sampling. The questionnaire contained information on demographic variables and COVID-19 Pandemic-related KAP.Results: Among the participants, the majority (90.7%) knew that the absence of fever did not mean there was no chance of transmission from an infected person. Further, 84.1% agreed that wearing general medical face masks helps prevent one from contracting COVID-19 Pandemic. However, only 36.4% strongly believed that wearing a well-fitting face mask was effective. In addition, only 15.9% reported confidently managing patients with symptoms of COVID-19 Pandemic, while 54.2% indicated they were afraid of contracting the virus from patients. Almost half the participants noted that they avoided patients who had symptoms of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Conclusion: Overall, the COVID-19 Pandemic-related KAP for healthcare workers in UAE healthcare facilities was very high. However, we found gaps in awareness regarding the spread of the virus. We recommend providing healthcare workers with education programs and counseling services to help increase their confidence in treating patients with the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Fit Between Spatial Configuration and Idealized Flows: Mapping Flows in Surgical Facilities as Part of Case Study Visits

2020 ◽  
pp. 193758672092835
Author(s):  
Herminia Machry ◽  
Anjali Joseph ◽  
Deborah Wingler
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Spatial Configuration ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Design Teams ◽  
Flow Mapping ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Mapping Tool ◽  
Mapping Approach ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: This study proposes a flow mapping approach for surgical facilities that can be implemented by design teams as a component of case study tours. Background: The provision of healthcare services involves simultaneous and closely coupled flows of people, objects, and information, and the efficiency of these flows is influenced by the spatial configuration of the buildings where these services are housed. Many architecture firms conduct case study tours to inform their design process. However, these tours often lack a structured way of documenting different flows and interpreting observations. A structured approach is needed during the design process to understand the impact of spatial configuration on healthcare flows. Method: Site tours were conducted at four surgery centers to develop and test an evidence-based flow mapping approach. Idealized flows within surgical facilities were first identified from the literature, followed by the development of a data collection tool aimed at documenting these flows in each case study through a pre-assessment questionnaire, a physical assessment, and interviews with staff. Results: The flow mapping tool kit was effective in allowing the design team to systematically understand the physical configuration of surgical flows across case studies. The tool also allowed the team to identify spatial configuration characteristics acting as barriers and facilitators to idealized flows. Conclusions: The flow mapping approach was able to provide structure for conducting these short tours more effectively via observations and staff inquiry, enabling design teams to draw more meaningful conclusions from case study tours and conduct comparisons between healthcare facilities visited.

scholarly journals eHBB: a randomised controlled trial of virtual reality or video for neonatal resuscitation refresher training in healthcare workers in resource-scarce settings

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e048506
Author(s):  
Rachel Umoren ◽  
Sherri Bucher ◽  
Daniel S Hippe ◽  
Beatrice Nkolika Ezenwa ◽  
Iretiola Bamikeolu Fajolu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Neonatal Resuscitation ◽  
Pass Rates ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of mobile virtual reality (VR) simulations using electronic Helping Babies Breathe (eHBB) or video for the maintenance of neonatal resuscitation skills in healthcare workers in resource-scarce settings.DesignRandomised controlled trial with 6-month follow-up (2018–2020).SettingSecondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.Participants274 nurses and midwives assigned to labour and delivery, operating room and newborn care units were recruited from 20 healthcare facilities in Nigeria and Kenya and randomised to one of three groups: VR (eHBB+digital guide), video (video+digital guide) or control (digital guide only) groups before an in-person HBB course.Intervention(s)eHBB VR simulation or neonatal resuscitation video.Main outcome(s)Healthcare worker neonatal resuscitation skills using standardised checklists in a simulated setting at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months.ResultsNeonatal resuscitation skills pass rates were similar among the groups at 6-month follow-up for bag-and-mask ventilation (BMV) skills check (VR 28%, video 25%, control 22%, p=0.71), objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) A (VR 76%, video 76%, control 72%, p=0.78) and OSCE B (VR 62%, video 60%, control 49%, p=0.18). Relative to the immediate postcourse assessments, there was greater retention of BMV skills at 6 months in the VR group (−15% VR, p=0.10; −21% video, p<0.01, –27% control, p=0.001). OSCE B pass rates in the VR group were numerically higher at 3 months (+4%, p=0.64) and 6 months (+3%, p=0.74) and lower in the video (−21% at 3 months, p<0.001; −14% at 6 months, p=0.066) and control groups (−7% at 3 months, p=0.43; −14% at 6 months, p=0.10). On follow-up survey, 95% (n=65) of respondents in the VR group and 98% (n=82) in the video group would use their assigned intervention again.ConclusioneHBB VR training was highly acceptable to healthcare workers in low-income to middle-income countries and may provide additional support for neonatal resuscitation skills retention compared with other digital interventions.

scholarly journals Siting of Healthcare Care Facilities Based on the Purpose of Their Operation, Demographic Changes, Environmental Characteristics, and the Impact on Public Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 379
Author(s):  
Marko Jausovec ◽  
Nande Korpnik ◽  
Branko Gabrovec ◽  
Vanja Skalicky Klemencic
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Demographic Changes ◽  
Social Significance ◽  
Environmental Characteristics ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
The Impact

A contemporary approach to the spatial design of healthcare care facilities faces numerous challenges at the crossroads of multidisciplinary topics of architecture and urbanism, healthcare, security, and organisational sciences. Due to the unique combination of uses, users and architectural expression, they are defined as urban nodes. With their inclusion, architects facilitate a better placing of healthcare facilities, indirectly improving human health. The purpose of the article is to seek guidelines for the siting of healthcare facilities to provide suitable and equal healthcare to different social structures, and for the optimal and fair spatial distribution of healthcare services. The descriptive method was used to review literature on the siting of healthcare facilities based on the purpose of their operation, demographic changes, environmental characteristics, and the impact on public health. This method was selected as it facilitates data acquisition from various sources and a comprehensive understanding of the topic discussed. The results of the research show how important the impact of the healthcare care facilities siting on human health and the wider social significance of the topic discussed is. The findings may provide guidelines and proposals for future spatial decisions.

scholarly journals Impact of Language Barriers on Access to Healthcare Services by Immigrant Patients: A systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasan Rasi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Access To Care ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Language Barriers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Access To Healthcare ◽  
Native People ◽  
The Impact

Background: Research has demonstrated lower access to healthcare services by immigrant patients in comparison to native people. Cultural and linguistic differences have been considered as main factors that impede this access and as barriers to creating an effective relationship between immigrant patients and health professionals.  Objective: The aim of this study was to better understand and synthesize the available evidence regarding the impact of immigrant patients’ language proficiency on access to health care. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies published between January 2000 and January 2019 that examined the impact of language proficiency on access to and use of health services by immigrant patients. Only articles in English were included. Cross-referencing of the identified articles was also performed.  Results: A total of 140 publications was identified through online databases. In all 24 studies were reviewed, and the results were reported using four interrelated themes identified from the articles. These reports consistently showed a clear association between inadequate language ability and underuse of health care services, ineffective communication, and increased use of emergency care by immigrant patients. Identifying factors that can influence access to care, applying immigrant-friendly solutions such as provision of professional interpreters, and encouraging culturally and linguistically sensitive education may improve the quality of care and increase access to care. One study recommended utilisation of communication technologies such as telemedicine to bridge the communication gap and increase accessibility of healthcare services by immigrant patients.  Conclusions: All included studies indicated that language barriers hindered access to healthcare services. The data resulting from this study can update policy and practical solutions for language barriers on access to care by immigrant patients and provide an agenda for further investigations. 

The implementation of a chronic disease management program (Prolanis) in Indonesia: a literature review

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sesty Rachmawati ◽  
Hanni Prihhastuti-Puspitasari ◽  
Elida Zairina
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Disease Management ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Disease Management Program ◽  
Social Insurance ◽  
Chronic Disease Management ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The Chronic Disease Management Program or Program Pengelolaan Penyakit Kronis (Prolanis) is a program initiated by the Social Insurance Administration Organization or Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Social (BPJS) in Indonesia. Prolanis aim to provide a proactive healthcare service approach for patients with chronic diseases particularly those with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Prolanis also aims to achieve the optimal quality of life in patients with chronic disease through effective and efficient healthcare services including cost. All primary healthcare centers and a few of the private clinics in Indonesia have implemented Prolanis, however, the impact of the program has not been reviewed. This review aimed to see the implementation of Prolanis in healthcare facilities in Indonesia. Methods A literature review was conducted by searching articles through Google Scholar and PubMed databases up to August 2019. The following keywords or terms were used: Prolanis, BPJS indexed with terms related to blood pressure or hypertension in Indonesia. The references, citations and similar articles from the identified articles were used to identify additional sources. Results Twenty-four articles were identified through the first search using the key terms although only eight articles met the inclusion criteria. This review showed that the implementation of Prolanis in the healthcare facilities in Indonesia was varied in terms of the activities and services provided. The healthcare professional involved in the implementation of Prolanis were also varied. There were some barriers faced by the healthcare facilities including the availability of funding, the healthcare facilities and infrastructures, the unavailability of standard operating orocedures (SOPs) as well as the limitation of human resources involved in Prolanis. Conclusions The implementation of Prolanis in Indonesia has not been optimized, as there were some barriers during its implementation in the healthcare facilities.

scholarly journals Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infections Among Healthcare Workers, Los Angeles County, February–May 2020

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacy Hartmann ◽  
Zachary Rubin ◽  
Heidi Sato ◽  
Kelsey O Yong ◽  
Dawn Terashita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Los Angeles County ◽  
Infectious Period ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Patient Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Across the world, healthcare workers (HCW) are at a greater risk of infection by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the nature of their work. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH) set out to understand the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare facilities and HCWs by tracking and analyzing data from case-patient interviews of HCWs. As of 31 May, over 3 months into the pandemic, nearly 5500 positive HCWs were reported to LAC DPH, representing 9.6% of all cases. Cases reported working in 27 different setting types, including outpatient medical offices, correctional facilities, emergency medical services, and so forth, with the highest proportion from long-term care facilities (46.6%) and hospitals (27.7%). Case patients included both clinical and nonclinical roles, with nearly half (49.4%) of positive HCWs being nurses. Over two-thirds of HCWs (68.6%) worked at some point during their infectious period, and nearly half (47.9%) reported a known exposure to a positive patient and/or coworker within their facility. Overall, compared to all LAC cases, HCWs reported lower rates of hospitalization (5.3% vs 12.2%) and death (0.7% vs 4.3%) from COVID-19. There are many factors that increase HCWs risk of infection, including high-risk work environment, limited supply of personal protective equipment, and even pressure to help and work during a pandemic. In response to these data, LAC DPH created resources and provided guidance for healthcare facilities to best protect their patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals ESMO Management and treatment adapted recommendations in the COVID-19 era: Pancreatic Cancer

ESMO Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. e000804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Catanese ◽  
George Pentheroudakis ◽  
Jean-Yves Douillard ◽  
Florian Lordick
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Levels Of Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Therapeutic Algorithms ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging the capacities of health systems in many countries. National healthcare services have to manage unexpected shortages of healthcare resources that have to be re-allocated according to the principles of fair and ethical prioritisation, in order to maintain the highest levels of care to all patients, ensure the safety of patients and healthcare workers, and save as many lives as possible. Also, cancer care services have to pursue restructuring, following the same evidence-based dispositions. In this article, we propose a guidance to the management of pancreatic cancer during the pandemic, prioritised according to a three-tiered framework, and based on expert clinical judgement and magnitude of benefit expected from specific interventions. Since the availability of resources for diagnostic procedures, surgery and postoperative care, systemic therapy and radiotherapy may differ, the authors have separated the prioritisation analyses. The impact of postponing or abrogating cancer interventions on outcomes according to a high, medium or low priority scale is outlined and discussed. The implementation of healthcare services using telemedicine is explored; it reveals itself as functional and effective for limiting patients’ need to travel to centres and thereby has the potential to reduce diffusion of SARS-CoV-2. Pancreatic cancer demands a considerable amount of medical resources. Therefore, the redefinition of its diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms with a rigorous method is crucial in order to ensure the highest quality of continuum of care in the broader context of the pandemic and the challenged healthcare systems.

scholarly journals Critical Issues in Melanoma Follow-up and Treatment, Safety of Patients and Communication with Healthcare Professionals During Covid-19 Pandemic in Romania

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-33
Author(s):  
Violeta Astratinei ◽  
Andreea Strambu-Dima ◽  
Bettina Ryll
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Original Research ◽  
State Of Emergency ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Patient Reports ◽  
Social Media Networks ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Treatment Safety ◽  
The Impact

"Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted cancer care worldwide. The aim of this study was to capture the impact of Covid-19 on melanoma patients during the national state of emergency. Material and methods: We sent a survey to the members of the Romanian Melanoma patient community between April - May 2020. Results: We received feedback from 108 patients. Forty percent of the respondents experienced difficulties in accessing healthcare services, while 56% found it difficult or impossible to speak with their physician. With regard to feeling safe in healthcare facilities, 60% of patients felt safe in the private sector, versus 48% in public hospitals. Over half of the respondents delayed investigations such as dermoscopy, imaging, and laboratory tests by their own initiative, while a third saw investigation delayed upon their physician’s initiative. We found no significant delays in the administration of systemic therapies for advanced disease. While e-prescriptions for melanoma treatments were not communicated and implemented consistently, we noted an increased interest in telemedicine and social media networks by physicians. Spontaneous patient reports collected in the same period further show the lack of access to melanoma diagnostic surgery, insufficient management of side effects of different treatments, difficulties in obtaining pain medication, alterations in the administration schemes of both immunotherapies and target therapies, and cumbersome access to Covid-19 testing. Conclusions: Our results provide a melanoma-specific perspective on the impact of Covid-19 on patients that is unexpectedly nuanced with regards to patient subpopulations and captures differences in impact between systemic treatment and Journal of Medical and Radiation Oncology Journal homepage: www.jmedradonc.org Original research 16 other interventions. In addition, this proof-of-concept study demonstrates the ability of virtual patient communities to sensitively detect and report issues in health care provision, offering the opportunity for timely intervention. Based on our findings, we formulate a set of recommendations on how to save-guard melanoma care during the pandemic, some of which we believe to be generalizable to other patient communities."

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