Reconfiguring the radiology leadership team for crisis management during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large tertiary hospital in Singapore.

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak poses a serious public health risk. To date, the disease has affected almost all countries in the world. The enormous scale of the outbreak and the relative lack of knowledge and information regarding a new virus, as well as the unpredictability of events, make it challenging for leadership teams to respond. This paper shares how we have reconfigured our radiology leadership team into a smaller disease outbreak task force (DOTF) to respond and coordinate all related efforts during this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The DOTF format is modelled after the military with domain groups looking at manpower, intelligence, operations, and logistics matters on a daily basis so that timely decisions can be made and action plans executed promptly. In managing the DOTF, discipline, flexibility, and teamwork are key principles, and these are built upon a strong foundation of focus on infection prevention and control, and patient and staff safety as well as staff well-being. The DOTF has positioned us well to confront the many challenges to date. We believe it will also help us navigate the complex issues that will arise with future surges in cases and in formulating strategies to manage exit from the present and future lockdowns. KEY POINTS: • In a pandemic, regular and directed meetings by a smaller leadership core group are required, for prompt decision making and execution of action plans. • The military format, with domain groups to look at manpower, intelligence, operations, and logistics matters, is useful in managing a pandemic. • Discipline, flexibility, and teamwork with strong focus on infection prevention and control, and patient and staff safety as well as staff well-being are key principles for leadership teams managing a pandemic.

The bug stops with me: Prevention of COVID-19 nosocomial transmission during radiographic procedures.

INTRODUCTION: Nosocomial transmission of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a preventable risk to the patient population and radiographer workforce. This article aims to describe the prevention of COVID-19 nosocomial transmission during radiographic procedures by the utilization of stringent infection prevention measures at a leading tertiary hospital in Singapore. METHODS: The implemented measures are the appropriate use of personal protective equipment, staff education, infection controls measures such as equipment disinfection, physical distancing and segregation of staff and patients. RESULTS: Despite the handling of 1637 COVID-19 cases as of July 25, 2020, there has not been a single case of known nosocomial transmission of the disease in the institution. DISCUSSION: The absence of nosocomial transmission suggests that the implemented measures are adequate. These measures will need to be sustainable for the long term in order to ensure continued success. CONCLUSION: Radiographers are a crucial part of the team in the fight against COVID-19 and are at risk of contracting COVID-19. Strict adherence to appropriate infection control measures is essential for the safety of Radiology staff and their patients, and the successful control of this pandemic.

Adapting Lessons From SARS for the COVID-19 Pandemic-Perspectives From Radiology Nursing in Singapore.

When severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) hit Singapore in 2003, we began to formulate rigorous protocols and reconfigure our facilities to prevent in-hospital transmission. This became the foundation of our practices in COVID-19. However, some adaptations were made to suit the current needs of the department, and technology has been used for communication. This article describes the preparation and response of nursing in the radiology department in Singapore in SARS and coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Protocols and measures taken during SARS and COVID-19 outbreak are described. Stringent infection control and prevention measures, detailed standard operating protocols for handling SARS and COVID-19 patients coming for radiological examinations and interventions, team segregation, safe distancing, efficient communication, and rigorous staff surveillance are paramount to ensure patient and staff safety. Our SARS experience has shaped our preparations and response toward the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, there have been zero health care worker transmissions in the department. The crisis has also enhanced the cohesiveness among staff because of the camaraderie and shared experience. The response and measures taken by the radiology department in a large acute care teaching hospital could be practiced in other similar health care settings.