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Lessons from the frontline: The value of emergency care processes and data to pandemic responses across the Pacific region.
Mitchell, Rob; O'Reilly, Gerard; Herron, Lisa-Maree; Phillips, Georgina; Sharma, Deepak; Brolan, Claire E; Körver, Sarah; Kendino, Mangu; Poloniati, Penisimani; Kafoa, Berlin; Cox, Megan.
  • Mitchell R; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
  • O'Reilly G; Emergency & Trauma Centre, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Herron LM; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Phillips G; Emergency & Trauma Centre, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Sharma D; School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
  • Brolan CE; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Körver S; Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Kendino M; Emergency Department, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji.
  • Poloniati P; School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
  • Kafoa B; Centre for Policy Futures, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
  • Cox M; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Lancet Reg Health West Pac ; 25: 100515, 2022 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1914788
ABSTRACT

Background:

Emergency care (EC) addresses the needs of patients with acute illness and injury, and has fulfilled a critical function during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Processes' (e.g. triage) and 'data' (e.g. surveillance) have been nominated as essential building blocks for EC systems. This qualitative research sought to explore the impact of the pandemic on EC clinicians across the Pacific region, including the contribution of EC building blocks to effective responses.

Methods:

The study was conducted in three phases, with data obtained from online support forums, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. There were 116 participants from more than 14 Pacific Island Countries and Territories. A phenomenological approach was adopted, incorporating inductive and deductive methods. The deductive thematic analysis utilised previously identified building blocks for Pacific EC. This paper summarises findings for the building blocks of 'processes' and 'data'.

Findings:

Establishing triage and screening capacity, aimed at assessing urgency and transmission risk respectively, were priorities for EC clinicians. Enablers included support from senior hospital leaders, previous disaster experience and consistent guidelines. The introduction of efficient patient flow processes, such as streaming, proved valuable to emergency departments, and checklists and simulation were useful implementation strategies. Some response measures impacted negatively on non-COVID patients, and proactive approaches were required to maintain 'business as usual'. The pandemic also highlighted the value of surveillance and performance data.

Interpretation:

Developing effective processes for triage, screening and streaming, among other areas, was critical to an effective EC response. Beyond the pandemic, strengthening processes and data management capacity will build resilience in EC systems.

Funding:

Phases 1 and 2A of this study were part of an Epidemic Ethics/World Health Organization (WHO) initiative, supported by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office/Wellcome Grant 214711/Z/18/Z. Co-funding for this research was received from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Foundation via an International Development Fund Grant.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Prognostic study / Qualitative research Language: English Journal: Lancet Reg Health West Pac Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.lanwpc.2022.100515

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Prognostic study / Qualitative research Language: English Journal: Lancet Reg Health West Pac Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.lanwpc.2022.100515