ABSTRACT
Background: There is increasing evidence that COVID-19 survivors are at increased risk of experiencing a wide range of cardiovascular complications post infection; however, there are no validated models or clear guidelines for remotely monitoring the cardiac health of COVID-19 survivors. Objective: This study aims to test a virtual, in-home healthcare monitoring model of care for detection of clinical symptoms and impacts on COVID-19 survivors. It also aims to demonstrate system usability and feasibility. Methods: This open label, prospective, descriptive study was conducted in South Western Sydney. Included in the study were patients admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of COVID-19 between June 2021 and November 2021. Eligible participants after consent were provided with a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen saturation and a S-Patch EX to monitor their electrocardiogram (ECG) for a duration of 3 months. Data was transmitted in real-time to a mobile phone via Bluetooth technology and results were sent to the study team via a cloud-based platform. All the data was reviewed in a timely manner by the investigator team, for post COVID-19 related symptoms, such as reduction in oxygen saturation and arrhythmia. Outcome measure: This study was designed for feasibility in real clinical setting implementation, enabling the study team to develop and utilise a virtual, in-home healthcare monitoring model of care to detect post COVID-19 clinical symptoms and impacts on COVID-19 survivors. Results: During the study period, 23 patients provided consent for participation. Out of which 19 patients commenced monitoring. Sixteen patients with 81 (73.6%) valid tests were included in the analysis and amongst them seven patients were detected by artificial intelligence to have cardiac arrhythmias but not clinically symptomatic. The patients with arrhythmias had a higher occurrence of supraventricular ectopy, and most of them took at least 2 tests before detection. Notably, patients with arrhythmia had significantly more tests than those without [t-test, t (13) = 2.29, p < 0.05]. Conclusions: Preliminary observations have identified cardiac arrhythmias on prolonged cardiac monitoring in 7 out of the first 16 participants who completed their 3 months follow-up. This has allowed early escalation to their treating doctors for further investigations and early interventions.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To understand the views and motivations of healthcare workers at a vaccination hub who received a COVID-19 vaccination in March-May 2021. STUDY DESIGN: This is an observational study via an anonymous electronic survey of seven questions focus on where survey recipients received information about the vaccine roll-out, their motivations for receiving the vaccine and their level of comfort in receiving the vaccine. SETTING: The Liverpool Vaccination Hub is located in South Western Sydney. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were healthcare workers who received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the Australian Government's Phase 1a and 1b priority categories. The majority of survey respondents (70%) were female (median aged between 35 and 44 years). The majority of survey respondents were clinical workers, such as nurse, paramedics and doctors. OUTCOME MEASURES: χ2 analysis was used for analysis of survey responses in univariate analysis. Logistic regression was used to analyse survey responses, adjusting for week, type of health worker and age. RESULTS: 4746 healthcare workers responded to the survey after receiving their first vaccine dose, a response rate of 23%. Over 90% of respondents said that COVID-19 vaccination information from their organisation was easily available. Most of them reported that they were comfortable receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The majority of respondents were motivated to receive the vaccine due to concern about contracting COVID-19 themselves (75%), or concerns about transmitting it to other people such as patients (52%), family members (65%) or other community members (54%). Younger respondents were more likely to have preferred more information on vaccine safety (p<0.0001) and the effectiveness of the vaccine (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The majority of healthcare workers who received a COVID-19 vaccine reported that it was easy to find useful information about the vaccination roll-out and they had a positive experience being vaccinated.