Labour force management in maritime ports: A comprehensive systematic literature review.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a labour shortage crisis at maritime ports. Therefore, stakeholders of this industry must have robust tools to maintain good performance indicators of productivity and competitiveness. One of the most critical issues is the labour force related to allocation, performance evaluation, and foreseeing/adapting to new requirements. Many authors have studied the characteristics, elements, trends, and factors crucial in its management. However, there needs to be a comprehensive understanding of this concern. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a systematic literature review on labour force management in the maritime ports to (1) understand the elements and factors that strongly relate to human management and (2) identify future research directions to address the impact of labour shortages. Research questions and keywords were used to search academic databases for peer-reviewed papers, articles, or books. The search, selection and quality assessment processes were performed using the PRISMA methodology. This resulted in 32 documents for review and categorised based on their contributions to the research questions and content. The main findings include factors in labour force management, challenges in optimisation, technology and automation use, methods for evaluating performance, and the impact of the regulatory framework. In addition, potential future research streams were proposed to guide further studies into the needs of this industry.

Electric shortages and mental health in Maracaibo, Venezuela: A cross-sectional study.

For the past 10 years, Venezuela has undergone a severe electric crisis. However, not all regions have been equally affected. The city of Maracaibo has endured more blackouts than other cities, and they have now become routine. This article sought to study the impact of electric shortages on the mental health of Maracaibo's inhabitants. Using a sample from all districts in the city, the study sought to test if there are correlations between the number of hours without electricity (per week), and four dimensions of mental health: anxiety, depression, poor sleep quality, and boredom. Results came out showing that there are moderate correlations across all four variables.

COVID-19 contagious health care personnel 5-day early return-to-work program.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 contagious health care personnel (HCP) who are self-isolating for a 10-day period increases burden to workforce shortages. Implementation of a 5-day early return-to-work (RTW) program may reduce self-isolation periods, without increasing transmission risk, during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN AND METHODS: This observational cohort quality improvement study included newly diagnosed COVID-19 HCP at a multifacility health care system. The program allowed HCP to return to work 6 days after date of a positive test result if they were not immunocompromised, had mild and improving symptoms, and self-reported a SARS-CoV-2 antigen negative test on day 5. RESULTS: Between January 4 and April 3, 2022, 1,023 HCP self-enrolled and 344 (33.6%) self-reported negative test results. Among these, 161 (46.8%) self-reported negative test results on day 5 and were eligible for early RTW on day 6. A total of 714 days were saved from missed work in self-isolation. The number of tests purchased, dispensed, and reported per day of HCP time saved was 4.4. No transmission events were observed originating from HCP who participated in early RTW. CONCLUSION: Implementing a 5-day early RTW program that includes HCP self-reporting SARS-CoV-2 antigen test results can increase staffing availability, while maintaining a low risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Drug shortages in low- and middle-income countries: Colombia as a case study.

BACKGROUND: Drug shortages are a global problem. Analyzing shortages worldwide is important to identify possible relationships between drug shortages across countries, determine strategies that reduce drug shortages, and reduce the inequality in access to medicines between countries. In contrast to well-documented shortages in high-income countries, there are few studies that consider low- and middle-income economies. We evaluate drug shortages in one middle-income country, Colombia. METHODS: We collected data from INVIMA, the institution responsible for managing medicine shortage alerts in Colombia. We classified the data using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system and analyzed them using descriptive statistics. We considered a study period from 2015 to 2021 (vital medicines) and from 2010 to 2020 (non-vital medicines). RESULTS: In total, 173 unique ATC codes were in shortage. These included antidotes, alimentary tract and metabolism products, anesthetics, cardiac stimulants and antithrombotic agents. The major causes were manufacturing problems and few suppliers. Drug shortages substantially increased from 2020 to May 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among resolved shortages, the average duration was 1.6 years with a standard deviation of 1.9 years. The longest, naloxone tablets, were in shortage for almost 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Drug shortages are a persistent problem in Colombia. Government institutions have made progress in implementing systems and procedures to report them. However, the approaches implemented need to be maintained and refined. This study lays the groundwork for the analysis of drug shortages in other LMICs. We highlight the necessity of addressing drug shortages in their global context and reducing the inequality in access to medicines between countries.

Healthcare personnel early return-to-work program after higher-risk SARS-CoV-2 exposure: A learning health system quality improvement project.

BACKGROUND: Incidence of health care personnel (HCP) with a higher-risk SARS-CoV-2 exposure and subsequent 14-day quarantine period adds substantial burden on the workforce. Implementation of an early return-to-work (RTW) program may reduce quarantine periods for asymptomatic HCP and reduce workforce shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This observational quality improvement study included asymptomatic HCP of a multi-facility health care system with higher-risk workplace or non-household community SARS-CoV-2 exposure ≤4 days. The program allowed HCP to return to work 8 days after exposure if they remained asymptomatic through day 7 with day 5-7 SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification test result negative. RESULTS: Between January 4 and June 25, 2021, 384 HCP were enrolled, 333 (86.7%) remained asymptomatic and of these, 323 (97%) tested negative and were early RTW eligible. Mean days in quarantine was 8.16 (SD 2.40). Median day of early RTW was 8 (range 6-9, IQR 8-8). Mean days saved from missed work was 1.84 (SD 0.52). A total of 297 (92%) HCP did RTW ≤10 days from exposure and days saved from missed work was 546.48. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing an HCP early RTW program is a clinical approach for COVID-19 workplace safety that can increase staffing availability, while maintaining a low risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Alternativas para la sedación, analgesia, relajación y delirium en pacientes COVID-19. Revisión narrativa / Alternatives for sedation, analgesia, neuromuscular blockade and delirium in patients with COVID-19. A narrative review / Alternativas para sedação, analgesia, relaxamento e delírio em pacientes com COVID-19. Revisão narrativa

Resumen: En los últimos años, el mundo entero se vio enfrentado al manejo de pacientes con una patología totalmente nueva y desafiante en términos de su entendimiento fisiopatológico y estrategias de manejo, mientras que su tasa de contagio se incrementaba de manera importante. Se trata de la enfermedad COVID-19, originada por el virus SARS-CoV-2 y que puso en alerta a toda la humanidad. Por lo tanto, se presentaron grandes problemas de salud pública, incluyendo el desabastecimiento de medicamentos y recursos de primera línea para el control de la enfermedad, y en los pacientes críticos se afectó el manejo de soporte óptimo a medida que se superaba la compleja respuesta inmunológica, que terminaba afectando en sus primeros estadios el parénquima pulmonar, y según el estado fisiológico, mórbido y genético del huésped, generando una disfunción orgánica múltiple. En el presente documento se establecen las mejores alternativas para enfrentar un desabastecimiento de medicamentos asociados al abordaje integral de la analgosedación, prevención y manejo de delirium y abstinencia, así como la necesidad de relajación neuromuscular en cada una de las fases por las que atraviesa el paciente crítico hospitalizado en Unidades de Cuidado Intensivo con soporte respiratorio invasivo o no invasivo.

Abstract: In recent years, the entire world has been faced with the management of patients with a totally new and challenging pathology in terms of its pathophysiological understanding and management strategies, while its rate of infection was increased significantly. It is the COVID-19 disease, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and that put all of humanity on alert. Therefore, major public health problems arose, including shortages of medicines and first-line resources for disease control, and in critical patients, optimal support management was affected as the complex immune response was overcome, which ended up affecting the lung parenchymal in its early stages, and depending on the physiological, morbid and genetic state of the host, generating multiple organ dysfunction. This document establishes the best alternatives to face a shortage of medications associated with the comprehensive approach to analgesia and sedation, prevention and management of delirium and withdrawal, and the need for neuromuscular relaxation in each of the phases that critically hospitalized patients go through in Intensive Care Units with invasive or non-invasive respiratory support.

Resumo: Nos últimos anos, o mundo inteiro se deparou com o manejo de pacientes com uma patologia totalmente nova e desafiadora em termos de compreensão fisiopatológica e estratégias de manejo, enquanto sua taxa de contágio aumentava significativamente. Trata-se da doença COVID-19, causada pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2 que colocou toda a humanidade em alerta. Surgiram, assim, grandes problemas de saúde pública, incluindo a escassez de medicamentos e recursos de primeira linha para o controle da doença, em pacientes em estado crítico afetou-se o manejo do suporte ideal à medida que superavase a complexa resposta imune, que terminava afetando o parênquima pulmonar em seu estágio inicial, e dependendo do estado fisiológico, mórbido e genético do hospedeiro, gerando múltiplas disfunções orgânicas. Este documento estabelece as melhores alternativas para enfrentar a escassez de medicamentos associada à abordagem integral da analgesedação, prevenção e manejo do delirium e abstinência, e a necessidade de relaxamento muscular em cada uma das fases que atravessa o paciente em estado crítico internado na UTI com suporte respiratório invasivo ou não invasivo.

Médicos, enfermeras y pacientes: entre las contradicciones, la incertidumbre y las carencias en tiempo de covid-19 en México / Doctors, nurses and patients: dealing with contradictions, uncertainty and shortages during covid-19 in Mexico

Resumen La pandemia de covid-19 puso al descubierto las innumerables carencias que durante décadas han formado parte del inequitativo y fragmentado sistema nacional de salud. Las siguientes reflexiones tienen como propósito central enunciar la fragilidad en la que labora el personal de salud en México, al igual que las contradictorias declaraciones que han acompañado el desarrollo de la pandemia en el país, una conjunción de elementos que han acentuado la incertidumbre frente a la nueva enfermedad y su manejo.

Abstract The covid-19 pandemic revealed the innumerable shortages that have characterized the nation's inequitable and fragmentary health care system for decades. The main goal of the following reflections is to outline the precarity of working conditions for health care personnel in Mexico, as well as the contradictory statements issued as the epidemic developed in the country, a combination of factors that magnified uncertainty about the new disease and how to deal with it.

Where are they working? A case study of twenty Cuban-trained South African doctors.

BACKGROUND: The year 2017 marked the 21st anniversary of the South African Cuban Medical Collaboration (SACMC) programme that offers disadvantaged South African (SA) students an opportunity for medical training in Cuba. Graduates are expected to return to practice at a primary care level in rural communities; however, little is known about the professional trajectories and career choices of graduates from the programme. AIM: This study explored the reasons why students enrolled in the programme, their professional and career choices as graduates and their career intentions. SETTING: The study setting was the whole of SA although participants were primarily drawn from KwaZulu-Natal. METHODS: An exploratory, qualitative case study used a purposive sampling strategy to gather data through semi-structured interviews from participants. RESULTS: Graduates (N = 20) of the SACMC programme were all practicing in local SA settings. Participants preferred the SACMC programme as it offered them a full scholarship for medical training. Nineteen doctors had fulfilled their obligation to work in rural areas. Thirteen doctors are engaged in primary healthcare practice, either as private practice generalists or as public service medical officers. Three doctors had completed specialty training: one doctor was training towards specialisation, one doctor was employed at national government and two doctors were employed as medical managers. At the time of the study, 11 doctors were practicing in rural locations and 19 had indicated a long-term intention to work and live within South Africa. CONCLUSION: The participants of this study who graduated from the SACMC programme are fulfilling their obligations in rural communities. They all intend to contribute to the SA medical workforce in the long-term.

Medicine Shortages: Gaps Between Countries and Global Perspectives.

Introduction: Over the last decade, global health policies and different research areas have focused on the relevance and impact of medicine shortages. Published studies suggest there have been difficulties with access to medicines since the beginning of the 20th century, and there have been advances in our understanding and management of the problem since then. However, in view of global and regional health care concerns with shortages, we believe this phenomenon needs to be characterized and described more fully regarding the types of medicines affected, possible causes, and potential strategies to address these. The aim of this scoping review was to identify, compare if possible, and characterize the recent literature regarding the situation of medicines shortages between countries, and provide different perspectives, including a global context and national approaches. Methodology: A scoping study presented as a narrative review of the situation and findings principally based on published articles. Results: Based on the reported cases in the literature, a typology of medicines shortage and supply interruption episodes and their causes were proposed; national approaches to notify and manage the medicines shortages cases were described and classified by update frequency; principal differences between market and supply chain management perspectives of the situation were identified and global and countries' perspectives were described. Conclusion: Policy makers require solutions that prevent those cases in which the population's health is affected by episodes of medicine shortages and/or interruption in the supply chain. There is also a need to generate a glossary related to logistics management and the availability of medicines which will be useful to understand and overcome shortages. In addition, recognize that potential solutions are not only related with actions linked to research, development and innovation, but much wider. Overall, we believe this article can act as a basis for future discussions in this important area.

Prescription Drug Shortages: Implications for Ambulatory Pediatrics.

OBJECTIVE: To describe contemporary drug shortages affecting general ambulatory pediatrics. STUDY DESIGN: Data from January 2001 to December 2015 were obtained from the University of Utah Drug Information Service. Two pediatricians reviewed drug shortages and identified agents used in ambulatory pediatrics. Shortage data were analyzed by the type of drug, formulation, reason for shortage, duration, marketing status, if a pediatric friendly-formulation was available, or if it was a single-source product. The availability of an alternative, and whether that alternative was affected by a shortage, also was noted. RESULTS: Of 1883 products in shortage during the study period, 314 were determined to be used in ambulatory pediatrics. The annual number of new pediatric shortages decreased initially but then increased to a high of 38 in 2011. Of the 314 pediatric shortages, 3.8% were unresolved at the end of the study. The median duration of resolved shortages was 7.6 months. The longest shortage was for ciprofloxacin 500-mg tablets. The most common class involved was infectious disease drugs. Pediatric-friendly dosage forms were affected in 19.1% of shortages. An alternative agent was available for 86% drugs; however, 29% of these also were affected. The most common reason for shortage was manufacturing problems. CONCLUSIONS: Drug shortages affected a substantial number of agents used in general ambulatory pediatrics. Shortages for single-source products are a concern if a suitable alternative is unavailable. Providers working in the ambulatory setting must be aware of current shortages and implement mitigation strategies to optimize patient care.

Assessing the Importance of Domestic Vaccine Manufacturing Centers: An Overview of Immunization Programs, Vaccine Manufacture, and Distribution.

Vaccines have significantly reduced the detrimental effects of numerous human infectious diseases worldwide, helped to reduce drastically child mortality rates and even achieved eradication of major pathogens, such as smallpox. These achievements have been possible due to a dedicated effort for vaccine research and development, as well as an effective transfer of these vaccines to public health care systems globally. Either public or private institutions have committed to developing and manufacturing vaccines for local or international population supply. However, current vaccine manufacturers worldwide might not be able to guarantee sufficient vaccine supplies for all nations when epidemics or pandemics events could take place. Currently, different countries produce their own vaccine supplies under Good Manufacturing Practices, which include the USA, Canada, China, India, some nations in Europe and South America, such as Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, France, Argentina, and Brazil, respectively. Here, we discuss some of the vaccine programs and manufacturing capacities, comparing the current models of vaccine management between industrialized and developing countries. Because local vaccine production undoubtedly provides significant benefits for the respective population, the manufacture capacity of these prophylactic products should be included in every country as a matter of national safety.

A contribuição do Programa Mais Médicos: análise a partir das recomendações da OMS para provimento de médicos / Mais Médicos (More Doctors) Program: its contribution in view of WHO recommendations for provision of doctors

Resumo Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar se o Programa Mais Médicos (PMM) contemplou as recomendações da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) relacionadas ao aprimoramento da atração, do recrutamento e da retenção de profissionais de saúde em áreas remotas e rurais. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, qualitativo, baseado em análise documental, no intuito de comparar se as recomendações publicadas em 2010 pela OMS foram contempladas na Lei 12.871/13, que instituiu o PMM. Ao total, foram sistematizadas 16 recomendações da OMS, para as quais o PMM atendeu a 37,5%. Entre as recomendações não contempladas, encontram-se a ausência de programas de desenvolvimento da carreira e de medidas de reconhecimento público. Algumas recomendações que não foram atendidas pela PMM já estavam sendo desenvolvidas, tais como o Programa Nacional de Bolsa Permanência para estudantes de nível superior e a inserção de diferentes profissionais de saúde no SUS (Estratégia Saúde da Família). O programa apresenta fatores inovadores, como a mudança curricular do curso de medicina e o serviço médico obrigatório, entretanto, poderia ter feito mais investimentos na categoria de apoio pessoal e profissional.

Abstract In order to examine whether Brazil's Mais Médicos (More Doctors) Programme (PMM) reflected World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations for improved attraction, retention and recruitment of health workers in remote and rural areas, this descriptive, qualitative study drew on document analysis in order to compare the WHO recommendations published in 2010 with Brazil's Law No. 12,871/13, which instituted the PMM. Of the 16 WHO recommendations systematised here, the PMM met 37.5%. Recommendations not incorporated into the PMM include career development programmes and public recognition strategies. Although reflecting WHO recommendations and already in place elsewhere in the SUS prior to announcement of the PMM, the National Retention Grant Programme and multi-professional teams (as in the Family Health Strategy) were not implemented by the PMM. The programme contains innovative components such as a new curriculum for medical schools and compulsory medical service. On the other hand, the PMM could have invested more in personal and professional support.

Desabastecimento de medicamentos: determinantes, conseqüências e gerenciamento / Drug shortage: determinants, consequences and management

O artigo analisa o desabastecimento de medicamentos como um problema que transcende o aspecto logístico da área de saúde, discutindo suas implicações para a qualidade, segurança e custo da assistência. A cadeia de abastecimento farmacêutico e os fatores que interferem na capilaridade da distribuição e na disponibilidade do medicamento são discutidos. Ressalta a contribuição da comissão de farmácia e terapêutica para a prevenção e gerenciamento do desabastecimento de medicamentos nos estabelecimentos de saúde. Sugestões de medidas para gestão do desabastecimento de medicamentos são apresentadas. Enfatiza-se a necessidade do medicamento ser considerado pelos componentes da cadeia logística um produto de saúde, com tratamento diferenciado dos bens de consumo comuns.

The present study analyzes drug shortage as a problem reaching beyond the logistic aspect of the health field and discusses its consequences with respect to quality, safety and cost of health care delivery. The pharmaceutical supply chain and the factors that determine the distribution and availability of drugs are discussed. The contribution of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee in preventing and managing drug shortage in health institutions is stressed and measures for drug shortage management are suggested. Finally it is emphasized that drugs should be considered health products rather than consumer goods and as such be given a different treatment by the supply chain.