Management Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis: The Experiences of Health Managers from Iran, Ardabil Province.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 outbreak is the most threatening public health challenge in the 21th century, and more than 200 countries are affected. Considering that Iran was one of the first countries influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to explain the crisis management strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ardabil province. METHODS: This study employed a qualitative method using content analysis in which 12 healthcare managers or decision makers involved in the management of the COVID-19 crisis were recruited through purposeful sampling. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used to collect data which continued until data saturation. RESULTS: Data analysis led to 9 categories, including prior preparation for the COVID-19 crisis; challenges and management of workforce shortages; benefiting from the participation of volunteer staff; challenges and strategies for physical space, supplies, and PPE; designation of referral centers for COVID-19; protocolized patient transport; benefiting from donations and charity support; management of information about COVID-19; and learning from the prior stages of crisis. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that in critical situations, managers use multiple and, to some extent, unique strategies for decision making and crisis control. Therefore, the health system can use the findings of the current study for proper response to similar crises and training of future managers.

Experiences of Radiology Personnel About the COVID-19 Crisis: A Qualitative Content Analysis.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all health care systems. During these critical times, radiology personnel and nurses have been heavily involved in the diagnosis and management of patients with COVID-19. Purpose: This study investigates the experiences of radiology personnel about the COVID-19 crisis. Methods: This qualitative content analysis was conducted on seven radiology personnel. In-depth semistructured interviews were used to collect data. Purposive sampling was carried out to select the participants. Findings: The data analysis led to the emergence of six categories, including psychological-emotional reactions, knowledge-related challenges, humaneness, workplace conditions, hopefulness, and support. Conclusion: Learning from the experiences of radiology personnel and nurses during the COVID-19 crisis can help better manage any subsequent health crises.

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome in Covid-19 Patients Discharged From the Intensive Care Unit.

Patients with Covid-19, after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU), experience some psychological, physical, and cognitive disorders, which is known as the post-intensive care syndrome and has adverse effects on patients and their families. The aim of this study was to evaluate the post-intensive care syndrome and its predictors in Covid-19 patients discharged from the ICU. In this study, 84 Covid-19 patients discharged from the ICU were selected by census method based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. After completing the demographic information, the Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor Self Report Tool was used to assess post-intensive care syndrome. Sixty-nine percent of participants experienced different degrees of post-intensive care syndrome, and its mean score was 8.86 ± 12.50; the most common disorder was related to the physical dimension. Among individual social variables, age and duration after discharge were able to predict 12.3% and 8.4% of the variance of post-intensive care syndrome, respectively. Covid-19 patients who are admitted to the ICU, after discharge from the hospital, face cognitive, psychological, and functional disorders, and there is a need for planning to prevent, follow up, and care for them by health care providers in the hospice and palliative care centers.

Investigating hand dermatitis among nurses in Iran during the outbreak of COVID-19: Comparison of COVID and non-COVID wards

Background & Aim: Hand dermatitis is one of the occupational skin diseases among nurses. Due to the prevalence of COVID-19, nurses' exposure to disinfectant solutions has increased, which can increase the incidence of dermatitis among them. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hand dermatitis among nurses in COVID and non-COVID wards and its related factors during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Iran. Methods & Materials: This descriptive-correlational study was performed by available sampling on 287 nurses. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on hand dermatitis. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 22. Results: The prevalence of hand dermatitis among COVID wards nurses was 65.7% and among non-COVID wards nurses was 36.2%. However, the logistic regression showed that Female gender (P= 0.001, odds ratio=3.19, CI=1.57-6.46), marital status (single) (P= 0.011, odds ratio=2.64, CI=1.25-5.57), age 31-40 (P=0.003, odds ratio=0.16, CI=0.06-0.55), COVID wards (P= 0.000, odds ratio=4.99, CI=2.36-10.59), Allergy history (P= 0.000, odds ratio=13.07, CI=6.12-27.95) increase the prevalence of hand dermatitis among nurses. Conclusion: Hand dermatitis is a serious problem among corona ward nurses. Therefore, timely identification and treatment of this injury can be very helpful. Nurses should receive adequate training and care for hand dermatitis.