Willingness and preparedness to work during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey among registered nurses in a Danish university hospital

Nurses are imperative for healthcare systems' ability to effectively function during pandemics, yet multiple factors may affect their willingness and preparedness to work. The aim of the present cross-sectional survey was to identify factors associated with registered nurses' (RN) willingness and preparedness to work during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The study was reported following the STROBE guidelines. A total of 358 nurses completed a self-administered online questionnaire. The participants were a part of a COVID-19 task force at a Danish university hospital during spring 2020. The results showed that the majority of RNs felt a professional obligation to engage in clinical work during the pandemic;however, their willingness and preparedness to work were affected by multiple factors, such as being relocated voluntarily, being prepared for the task and feeling safe. This study highlights that these factors are essential for the hospital management and nurse leaders to take responsibility for. © The Author(s) 2023.

The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Management of Colorectal Cancer in Denmark: What Lessons Can Be Learned from a Country Achieving Good Control of the Initial Wave

Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a global impact on cancer care. However, little is known as to what extent this impact has varied between different countries. Denmark was one of the first European nations to introduce national lockdown measures and achieved comparatively good control of the initial wave. We sought to determine the impact of the pandemic's initial wave on colorectal cancer care and investigate what lessons may be learned for future pandemics. Method(s): The Danish national cancer registry was used to identify patients newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 01/03/2020 -01/ 08/2020 (pandemic period) and the corresponding dates in 2019 (pre-pandemic period). This registry comprise > 95% of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancers in Denmark. Data regarding clinicopathological demographics and peri-operative outcomes were retrieved and compared between the two cohorts. Result(s): 2,794 patients were identified during the study period. Surgical practices were unaltered during the pandemic, with no alterations in the use of minimally invasive surgery (colon 84% vs 87%, rectum 93% vs 96%) nor in the formation of anastomoses or stomata noted between cohorts. No significant differences in 30-day or 90-day mortality rates were identified and on multivariable analysis treatment during the pandemic period was not found to be independently associated with peri-operative death. However, a marked reduction in total (359/month versus 201/month, P = 0.008) and screening diagnoses (80/month versus 38/month, P = 0.016) was noted during the pandemic. Conclusion(s): The Covid-19 pandemic had limited impact on the technique or outcomes of colorectal cancer care in Denmark, perhaps due to the success of early control of the initial wave when compared to other European nations. However, a concerning reduction in new diagnoses was still noted, highlighting the need to encourage patients to seek medical attention during the current and future pandemic in order to avoid delays in cancer diagnoses.

Patients experiences of their relationships with relatives and their collaboration with nurses during contact in non-COVID-19 hospital wards – A qualitative study

COVID-19 restrictions prevented relatives from visiting and accompanying patients to hospital and required that nurses wore personal protective equipment. These changes affected patients’ relationships with relatives and challenged their ability to connect with nurses. Individual, semi-structured interviews with 15 patients were carried out to explore patients’ experiences of their relationships with relatives and their collaboration with nurses during in- and outpatient contacts in non-COVID-19 hospital wards. The analysis of data was guided by phenomenological hermeneutic frame of reference and the study was reported according to the COREQ checklist. The findings illustrated that patients felt lonely and insecure when separated from relatives, caught between relatives and professionals during information exchange, and experienced the absence of relatives as both beneficial and burdening. Visitor restrictions provided patients with time to heal but prevented provision of informal care. Patients had to take responsibility for maintaining contact with relatives independent of their health condition. COVID-19 restrictions created distance with nurses, which potentially led to insufficient physical and psychosocial care. © The Author(s) 2022.

Lessons from Contact Tracing in Mid-Missouri

The public health community has used contact tracing to address pandemics since the eighteenth century. With the emergence of COVID-19, these classical skills are the primary defense for communities to limit morbidity and mortality during the pandemic. Here we describe the methods, strengths, and challenges of contact tracing. Copyright 2021 by the Missouri State Medical Association.