LEADERSHIP AND MOTIVATION IN THE GREEK PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY

In today's rapidly changing environment, leadership style and employee motivation are considered as crucial factors for organizations to operate effectively and achieve their missions and objectives. The pharmaceutical industry makes a major contribution worldwide, and in Greece particularly, not only to public health and welfare but also to the economy and employment. The annual turnover of pharmaceutical production in Greece was estimated over one billion euros for the years 2018-2019 (Tsakanikas et al., 2020), and more than 23,300 employees were employed in the sector in 2020, demonstrating a significant increase (9.8%) compared to the previous year (SFEE-IOBE, 2020). In this study, leadership and motivation in the Greek pharmaceutical industry is studied via an empirical analysis. The primary data, collected via questionnaires answered by pharmaceutical industry employees located in Greece, aimed at identifying the impact that leaders, communication, and motives have on employees' performance in the context of the altered and volatile environment the COVID-19 pandemic - which unavoidably changed people's attitude, needs, and ways of communication - has shaped. A general framework was indeed identified (democratic and transformational leadership);however, characteristics of other distinct leadership styles were also observed. Managers' opinions about themselves regarding their contribution to employees' effectiveness were positive but did not achieve the highest grade. Subordinates were positive in this regard, albeit with more tending to agree than strongly agree. Similar findings were extracted regarding motivation. Communication was affected by the new environment that the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped. Face-to-face communication was considered more effective than distance communication;however, employees had positive feelings when they worked remotely and felt more flexible. Finally, according to the above, the overall outcome was positive, yet still indicates that there is room for improvement or for adaptation to the new situation. © 2022 Mykolo Romerio Universitetas. All rights reserved.

Managing a Vaccinated Versus a Non-Vaccinated COVID 19 Positine Diagnosed Elderly Patient Who Had Sustained Intracapsular Neck of Femur Hip Fracture Challenges and Complications

Introduction: hip fractures in elderly patients have been associated with high morbidity and mortality rate and are dependent on the presence of associated comorbidities. SARS-CoV-2 disease (Covid-19) is nowadays considered to be an independent risk factor increasing mortality rates. The aim of our report was to analyse the management of a vaccinated versus a non-vaccinated elderly patient that were both diagnosed positive to SARS-CoV-2 after having sustained an intracapsular neck of femur fracture. Methods: Two patients (Patient A 91 and Patient B 88 years old, both female) were referred to our hospital after sustaining an intracapsular neck of femur hip fracture as a result of low energy trauma. Both patients tested positive for Covid-19 during their preoperative screening tests. Patient A had not been vaccinated against Covid-19 in contrast to patient B who had completed the 2 dose regimen of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Patient A presented on arrival Leukopenia (WBC: 1.2 μc/l, Neutrophils 0.4 mcL) and Thrombocytopenia (PLT 70.000). The Procalcitonin, C-Reactive Protein and Ferritin levels long as Arterial blood Gases were measured in both patients on arrival. Patient A required administration of Granulocyte colony stimulating factor and platelet transfusion prior to surgery. Results: Both patients underwent uncemented hip hemiarthroplasty. Patient A was operated 5 days after hospital admission as optimization of the patient's Covid-19 related Leukopenia and Thrombocytopenia was required and Patient B was operated within 24 hours after hospital admission. Patient A required transfusion of 4 blood Units (bleeding related to Thrombocytopenia) compared to 2 blood units that were administered in Patient B. Patient A developed Covid 19 related Pneumonia and Lung disease on the 6th post-operative day (PO2 SO2) and required high flow nasal cannula therapy for 7 days followed by oxygen therapy for 8 days delaying her mobilization and hospital discharge. Patient A was discharged on the 29th post-operative day and Patient B was discharged on the 6th post-operative day. Conclusion: Covid 19 related complications in elderly hip fracture patients are challenging and require multidisciplinary approach and hospital resources. However, Vaccination against covid-19 seems to prevent Covid related complications and can improve the outcome. Large series studies and further research is required to support our thesis.

Meta-analysis of diagnostic performance of serological tests for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies up to 25 April 2020 and public health implications

We reviewed the diagnostic accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 serological tests. Random-effects models yielded a summary sensitivity of 82% for IgM, and 85% for IgG and total antibodies. For specificity, the pooled estimate were 98% for IgM and 99% for IgG and total antibodies. In populations with 5% of seroconverted individuals, unless the assays have perfect (i.e. 100%) specificity, the positive predictive value would be 88%. Serological tests should be used for prevalence surveys only in hard-hit areas.