Emergency medicine response to the COVID-19 pandemic in England: a phenomenological study.
Emerg Med J
; 37(12): 768-772, 2020 Dec.
Artículo
en Inglés
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-807792
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The COVID-19 pandemic has stretched EDs globally, with many regions in England challenged by the number of COVID-19 presentations. In order to rapidly share learning to inform future practice, we undertook a thematic review of ED operational experience within England during the pandemic thus far.METHODS:
A rapid phenomenological approach using semistructured telephone interviews with ED clinical leads from across England was undertaken between 16 and 22 April 2020. Participants were recruited through purposeful sampling with sample size determined by data saturation. Departments from a wide range of geographic distribution and COVID-19 experience were included. Themes were identified and included if they met one of three criteria demonstrating a consistency of experience between EDs, demonstrating a conflict of approach between emergency departments or encapsulating a unique solution to a common barrier.RESULTS:
Seven clinical leads from type 1 EDs were interviewed. Thematic redundancy was achieved by the sixth interview, and one further interview was performed to confirm. Themes emerged in five categories departmental reconfiguration, clinical pathways, governance and communication, workforce and personal protective equipment.CONCLUSION:
This paper summarises learning and innovation from a cross-section of EDs during the first UK wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Common themes centred around the importance of flexibility when reacting to an ever-changing clinical challenge, clear leadership and robust methods of communication. Additionally, experience in managing winter pressures helped inform operational decisions, and ED staff demonstrated incredible resilience in demanding working conditions. Subsequent surges of COVID-19 infections may occur within a more challenging context with no guarantee that there will be an associated reduction in A&E attendance or cessation of elective activity. Future operational planning must therefore take this into consideration.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
Disponible
Colección:
Bases de datos internacionales
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Neumonía Viral
/
Infecciones por Coronavirus
/
Planificación en Desastres
/
Medicina de Emergencia
/
Servicio de Urgencia en Hospital
Tipo de estudio:
Estudios diagnósticos
/
Estudio observacional
/
Estudio pronóstico
/
Investigación cualitativa
/
Ensayo controlado aleatorizado
Límite:
Humanos
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
Inglés
Revista:
Emerg Med J
Asunto de la revista:
Medicina de Urgencia
Año:
2020
Tipo del documento:
Artículo
País de afiliación:
Emermed-2020-210220
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