ABSTRACT
The pandemic spread of the SARS-CoV2 viruses is leading to the use of new ventilation concepts in Europe. One of these options is the usage of Mobile Air Cleaning Devices. These are used as an alternative to central HVAC-systems (Heating-, Ventilation- and Air Conditioningsystems) and reduce the load of pathogens in the room. However, there are still no consistent methods for evaluating the performances of such devices. Thatswhy the effect on the pathogens, the benefit to the room, and the influence thereof on the room occupants are nearly unknown.This paper presents the measurements and results of different devices in the range of 500 m3/h to 1500 m3/h and beyond. Attention is given to the applied methods to define the different characteristics. Specifically, the parameters of volumetric flow rate, electrical power consumption, sound power, separation efficiency, effect on pathogens, room air flow, draught risk, and effects in the room show the need for development. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences.
ABSTRACT
The spread of the SARS Cov2 virus in Europe clearly reveals the need of new ventilation concepts. Schools are considered to be one of the main origins of the spread. Therefore, ways to reduce the possibility of indirect infection in everyday school life are investigated. In this paper, the results of field studies are presented. In the course of these studies, different modes of action (filtration, UV-C, photo-catalysis) and room flow concepts (mixed ventilation, displacement ventilation) were considered. The evaluations of the measurements show how the devices influence the sensations of the students (sound pressure level, draught risk, etc.). Furthermore, it shows how the exhaust air capture works and how the room flow is affected. Therefore, ways to reduce the possibility of indirect infection in everyday school life are sought here. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted nearly every boardroom in the world. However, neither the extant leadership literature nor the corporate governance literature offers succinct guidance on what constitutes effective board leadership during such a calamity. To address this theoretical and practical need, we develop a moderated mediation model, in which directive leadership from the board chair promotes competitive simplification at the onset of the crisis, which in turn promotes firm financial performance during the crisis. Using survey responses from 120 directors of U.S. public firms in Spring of 2020, combined with firm-level archival data from multiple sources and time periods, we find support for this mediated relationship—but only if the chair is not CEO. If the chair is CEO, we find no evidence of a positive relationship between directive leadership and either competitive simplification or firm financial performance;rather, we find some evidence of a negative relationship. We explore the implications of these findings for the theory and practice of corporate governance and crisis management. © The Author(s) 2022.
ABSTRACT
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has challenged the provision of healthcare in ways that are unprecedented in our lifetime. Planning for the sheer numbers expected during the surge has required public hospitals to de-escalate all non-essential clinical services to focus on COVID-19. Western Cape Province was the initial epicentre of the COVID-19 epidemic in South Africa (SA), and the Cape Town metro was its hardest-hit geographical region. We describe how we constructed our COVID-19 hospital-wide clinical service at Groote Schuur Hospital, the University of Cape Town's tertiary-level teaching hospital. By describing the barriers and enablers, we hope to provide guidance rather than a blueprint for hospitals elsewhere in SA and in low-resource countries that face similar challenges now or during subsequent waves.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis , Coronavirus Infections/therapy , Hospitals, University/organization & administration , Pneumonia, Viral/diagnosis , Pneumonia, Viral/therapy , Tertiary Care Centers/organization & administration , Betacoronavirus , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Electronic Health Records/organization & administration , Emergency Service, Hospital/organization & administration , Humans , Intensive Care Units/organization & administration , Materials Management, Hospital , Pandemics , Patient Care Team , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2 , Secondary Care Centers , South Africa/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has presented clinicians with an enormous challenge in managing a respiratory virus that is not only capable of causing severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, but also multisystem disease. The extraordinary pace of clinical research, and particularly the surge in adaptive trials of new and repurposed treatments, have provided rapid answers to questions of whether such treatments work, and has resulted in corticosteroids taking centre stage in the management of hospitalised patients requiring oxygen support. Some treatment modalities, such as the role of anticoagulation to prevent and treat potential thromboembolic complications, remain controversial, as does the use of high-level oxygen support, outside of an intensive care unit setting. In this paper, we describe the clinical management of COVID-19 patients admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital, a major tertiary level hospital at the epicentre of South Africa's SARS-CoV-2 epidemic during its first 4 months.