ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chest radiographs are the most basic and readily available imaging modality for visualizing the lungs and are potentially useful for describing the disease severity in patients showing respiratory symptoms in COVID-19 patients. The early diagnosis of COVID-19 features on radiography helps in triaging and starting treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study consisted of 145 radiographs, and these were reported by two radiologists, two emergency physicians and one intern working in the Emergency department. The scores given by them were correlated. A targeted short lecture for the scoring was imparted and after a sufficient latent period the scoring of chest radiographs was done again, and the scores correlated and compared. RESULTS: We observed agreement between radiologists with emergency medicine physicians was "none to slight" to "fair," before the dedicated online teaching course. Following the meeting, there was an increase in interobserver agreement in-between radiologists and between radiologists and emergency medicine physicians. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a focused online meeting, targeted at explaining radiological features of a specific pathology, in a pandemic situation like COVID, to our clinical counterparts in the emergency medicine department can help in increasing their interpretation skills. This can directly benefit triaging, admission/discharge and monitoring of the status of patients, in intensive care units and emergency medicine. This also helps in allaying the anxiety, while waiting for a final report from the Radiologist.
ABSTRACT
The risk for severe illness with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. Adults 65-years-old and older who were fully vaccinated with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine had a 94% reduction in risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations, and vaccination was 64% effective among those who were partially vaccinated. How to cite this article: Sharma A, Ranjan A. Veterans Health Administration COVID-19 Index to Risk Stratify the Geriatric Population with COVID-19 Infection. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(5):632-633.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented global demand for personal protective equipment (PPE). A paucity of data on PPE burn rate (PPE consumption over time) in pandemic situations exacerbated these issues as there was little historic research to indicate volumes of PPE required to care for surges in infective patients and thus plan procurement requirements. METHODS: To better understand PPE requirements for care of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in our Australian quaternary referral hospital, the number of staff-to-patient interactions in a 24-h period for three patient groups (ward-based COVID suspect, ward-based COVID confirmed, intensive care COVID confirmed) was audited prospectively from 1st to 30th April 2020. RESULTS: The average number of staff-to-patient interactions in a 24-h period was: 13.1 ± 5.0 (mean ± SD) for stable ward-managed COVID-19 suspect patients; 11.9 ± 3.8 for stable ward-managed confirmed COVID-19 patients; and 30.0 ± 5.3 for stable, mechanically ventilated, ICU-managed COVID-19 patients. This data can be used in PPE demand simulation modelling for COVID-19 and potentially other respiratory illnesses. CONCLUSION: Data on the average number of staff-to-patient interactions needed for the care of COVID-19 patients is presented. This data can be used for PPE demand simulation modelling.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/therapy , Hospitals/statistics & numerical data , Personal Protective Equipment/statistics & numerical data , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Humans , Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional/prevention & control , New South Wales/epidemiology , Patient-Centered Care , Personal Protective Equipment/trendsABSTRACT
Introduction: Since the outbreak of Coronavirus on December 31, 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China, the number of cases from China that have been imported into more than 180 countries and regions around the world. Objective: The goal of this study is to flatten the curve of new infection, through nosocomial transmission by health care system along with early identification of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases. Methods: A Survey was conducted over a period of 35 days. A total of 1709 individuals were screened (647 patients and 1062 patient attendees) coming to emergency Department. The waiting area of Emergency Care was divided into 3 screening zones and a separate second triage is established. The individuals entering are ensured that they are screened at all the 3 zones. Individuals were divided into two Groups after screening: Group A (suspected COVID-19) and Group B (unsuspected COVID-19). In Acute emergencies, the patient was directly treated at second triage. Results: A total of 1709 individuals, 247 in Group A (Suspected COVID-19) and 1462 in Group B (Unsuspected COVID-19). Among 247 individuals, 141 were males and 106 were females. Age ranged from 14-72 years with a mean age of 46.7years. Among 247 individuals (Group A), 81 were patients, of which one case was found to be COVID-19 Positive. Two Health care workers (HCW's) found to be positive. Conclusion: Challenges from the widespread pandemic underscores the importance of early implementation of a second triage and vigorous screening for all the individuals to minimize the spread of infection, failing which pandemic infection may turn into an epidemic.