ABSTRACT
Central line-associated bloodstream infection rates increased during the Omicron surge at our rural academic medical center. To identify potential drivers of this increase, we investigated period- and patient-specific factors associated with the increase in central line-associated bloodstream infection. Increased central line utilization, decreased central line bundle compliance monitoring, increased proportion of traveling nurses, increased short-term venous catheter use in the internal jugular vein, increased multilumen catheter use, decreased port-associated infection, and increased patient acuity were significantly associated with the surge. Our results helped us target our local infection prevention efforts.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To share the experience of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-COVID-19 at a tertiary care hospital in Quetta, Baluchistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pathology, Combined Military Hospital Quetta, from Mar to Dec 2020. Methodology: This study included 14,741 study participants presenting to CMH Quetta with signs and symptoms of Corona-virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) and others undergoing COVID-19 PCR for screening purpose. Nasopharyngeal swab collected from these study participants were tested for COVID-19 viral RNA by real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. Results: Out of these 14,741 study participants, 1886 (12.7%) were found to be SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive. Among 1886 study participants, 1503 (80%) were males while 383 (20%) were females. Mean age of the study participants was 36 ± 14 years. Most frequent clinical presentations were body aches (96.5%), fever (94.1%), cough (66.8%) and loss of appetite (68.2%). Around 67 (3.5%) positive study participants were asymptomatic. Conclusion: In this study, we observed male predominance but severity of signs and symptoms among female study participants. SARS-COVID-19 caused disease with wide range of clinical spectrum and disease can be fatal as well. © 2021, Army Medical College. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To find out the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of medical students and its repercussions on academic achievement. Methodology: Present cross-sectional study was carried out amongst the medical students of Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. A sample size of 123 medical students filled a questionnaire-based survey of 21 questions, which were specifically designed to find the relationship between COVID-19, mental health, and its effect on medical education. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: Out of all the participants, 70.7% received their education online. 67.6% had a negative impact on their mental health during the pandemic, and 26.8% had a mixed response of both positive and negative impacts. A total of 80.5% of students documented that their learning experience worsened over the last two years, and 48.8% of participants had a poor academic performance. 26.8% of the medical students experienced mixed academic performance, showing both improvements and decline. Out of the 26.8%, 45.4% of the students experienced challenges adapting to the new medium of learning, and 54.6% had reduced motivation and focus. There is a strong association between mental health and academic prowess, and the new medium of learning, lack of motivation, and declined focus are contributing factors to poor academic performance. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is a strong relationship between mental health, learning experience, and academic achievement in medical students. The pandemic and isolation led to increased levels of mental stress, which then affected medical studies. For the majority of the students, there was a decline in mental health, academic learning, and academic performance.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 pandemic has increased the generalized anxiety among nursing staff. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study aimed to determine the generalized anxiety disorders among the nursing staff working in secondary and tertiary care hospitals in Punjab province, Pakistan. A GAD-7 scale was used to assess anxiety. Non-parametric statistics were applied to estimate the difference among the groups. Multiple regression model was adopted to explore the impact of covariates on the GAD-7 score. A total of 133 nurses responded to this survey. It was revealed that being female (7.38 +/- 4.20, p=0.032) and having an age of >= 31 years (7.68 +/- 5.14) might lead to a higher GAD-7 score. 19.6% of the respondents had a high level of generalized anxiety (GAD-7 score >= 10), and about 49.6% were falling in the range of mild anxiety. Female nursing staff have the probability of higher GAD-7 score up to 15% [0.148(-0.450 - 4.697), p= 0.049]. Job experience, especially being new to the field (<= 3 years) might increase the likelihood of having a higher GAD-7 score by 14%. In conclusion, 19.6% of the respondents were meeting the GAD-7 criteria of moderate-severe level of generalized anxiety and depressive disorder. Being female, having less job experience, and no training on how to handle COVID patients were revealed to the main factors influencing the GAD-7 score. Risk of getting COVID, transmission of COVID to family members through them, and uncertainty about the consequence of COVID in Pakistan were some of the common stressors reported by the nurses who participated in this study.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To evaluate Pakistani healthcare workers' knowledge, attitude and preventive practices related to COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the healthcare workers (medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, hospital technicians and technologists) providing services at seven hospitals of Punjab province of Pakistan. A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate COVID-19 related knowledge, attitude and practices. Results: A total of 458 healthcare workers were approached and 429 were recruited (response rate = 93%). The mean age of the participants was 29.8 ± 5.7 years, with majority of medical doctors (42%) followed by nurses (38%) and pharmacists (14.9%). All of the participants reported that they were aware of COVID-19 outbreak and social media was the major source (65%) of this information. Mean knowledge score was 12 ± 2.1, with 75.5% of participants having satisfactory knowledge of COVID-19. Doctors were found have significantly better knowledge scores than other healthcare workers (p = 0.001). Mean attitude score was 8.0 ± 1.2, with a wide majority of healthcare workers (86.5%) having positive attitudes. Regarding COVID-19 related preventive practices, around 64% reported of always covering nose and mouth with a tissue during sneezing or coughing and nearly 65% disposed of the dirty tissue in trash bins. Only 40% of the participants reported that ‘if they do not have tissue, they cough or sneeze into upper sleeve’. Only 56% reported of always washing their hands, with soap and water, quickly after coughing or sneezing or touching contaminated objects like a tissue. Overall, mean practice score was 23.3 ± 3.6, with 73.4% of healthcare professionals having satisfactory preventive practices. Conclusions: Although overall COVID-19 related knowledge, attitude and practices of Pakistani healthcare workers are satisfactory, there are some misconceptions and malpractices that must be addressed.