Protection Of Staff Research Articles

Museum Security and Purloin: The Manhyia Palace Museum in perspective

AbstractSecurity in the museum is integral to the preservation of cultural heritage. Security, however, includes both the protection of collections, visitors and staff. The author undertakes a case study of the security issues at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Ghana. The study determined that lack of adequate security has led to the loss of essential collections through pilferage. The paper examines how these collections were stolen, through content analysis and a series of open‐ended systematic qualitative interviews with core staff. The author then recommends appropriate measures to prevent further loss. The findings from this case study also leads to the author to consider the state of security fractures in this case study as typical of many museums in countries with similar economic and political challenges By presenting these theories about museum theft, the author offers a set of remedies to close the loop holes for the most common forms of loss. Furthermore, the author provides a foundation for future research into the topic.

COVID-19 and Violence against doctors - Why a law is needed?

Today, when India is reeling under the COVID-19 epidemic, a new epidemic disease (Amendment) Ordinance has been brought out with regard to protection of the health care staff, which is a big welcome step to the medical fraternity. A much-needed step. The assaults on doctors have been happening in hospitals in India for a long time. This review article traces the journey of the Prevention of the Doctors Violence Act and suggests a way forward with regard to violence on the doctors and why there must be a permanent solution for the same. Methodology is based on a detailed study across a range of published literature in journals, articles, and other online sources. An extensive review has been undertaken of these articles based on an explanatory approach. The review provided insight into the current status of violence against doctors. Most of the initiatives on prevention of violence against doctors mentioned in the studies are mainly directed towards patient-doctor relationship, lack of infrastructure, strenuous working environment, and societal obligations. Study findings revealed that there was less emphasis on the current legal measures available and its implementation. This article highlights the critical aspect of protection of the health care workforce and also shares recommendations to enhance the protection of doctors at their workplace by sharing the current state-level legal measures available and advocates the impelling need for central legislation. These recommendations have been suggested as a combined effort of the medical fraternity, media, and the academic community.

The Value and Institutional Impact of an In-System Laboratory Testing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In-system clinical laboratories have proven themselves to be a fundamentally important resource to their institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic of the past year. The ability to provide SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing to our hospital system allowed us to offer the best possible care to our patients, and to support neighboring hospitals and nursing homes. In-house testing led to significant revenue enhancement to the laboratory and institution, and attracted new patients to the system. Timely testing of inpatients allowed the majority who did not have COVID-19 infection to be removed from respiratory and contact isolation, conserving valuable personal protective equipment and staff resources at a time that both were in short supply. As 2020 evolved and our institution restarted delivery of routine care, the availability of in-system laboratory testing to deliver both accurate and timely results was absolutely critical. In this article, we attempt to demonstrate the value and impact of an in-system laboratory during the COVID-19 pandemic. A strong in-house laboratory service was absolutely critical to institutional operational and financial success during 2020, and will ensure resiliency in the future as well.

Barriers, Attitudes, Confidence and Knowledge of Mental Health and Psychosocial Humanitarian Staff in Cox’s Bazar in Responding to Suicide Risk

Although suicide is a significant global health priority, it is underexamined in humanitarian crises. Over 850,000 Rohingya reside as refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh; suicide risk may be high in this community by some indicators, but little is definitively known. Even less is known about humanitarian workers’ capacity to recognise and respond to suicide risk in affected communities. Participants were mental health and psychosocial support (30%), protection (31%), gender-based violence (17%) and others (22%) multisectoral humanitarian staff having weekly face-to-face contact with Rohingya refugees as part of their professional duties. We assessed barriers, attitudes, competence and knowledge regarding suicide-risk response. The survey was disseminated over 3 weeks in June 2020, engaging 181 respondents from multiple sectors of the coordinated response. Respondents who had prior training scored higher on the overall scale compared to those without (P ≤ 0.001), and there was a significant impact of prior training on attitudes (P = 0.005), confidence (P = 0.002) and knowledge (P ≤ 0.001). Humanitarian staff from multiple sectors reported low confidence or readiness to respond to suicide risk in the field. Training on suicide identification, intervention and response for such staff and related community gatekeepers is an urgent need in the Rohingya refugee response.

Continuing medical education during pandemic waves of COVID-19: Consensus from medical faculties in Asia, Australia and Europe.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Medical faculties have the responsibility to train tomorrow's doctors and in a crisis face the challenge of delivering students into the workforce promptly and safely. Worldwide, medical faculties have faced unprecedented disruptions from viral outbreaks and pandemics including SARS, Ebola, H1N1 and COVID-19 which bring unique challenges. Currently there is worldwide disruption to medical faculties and medical education due to COVID-19. Despite close links with clinical medicine and the known risks of pandemics, many medical faculties have been caught off guard without pandemic planning in place, to deal with an exponential rise in infections and deaths, overwhelmed health services and widespread community risk of transmission. Assessing transmission risk of COVID-19 in teaching, clinical and community attachments and continuing medical education is paramount as medical faculties face subsequent pandemics waves. Consensus statements based on best available evidence and international expertise from medical faculties in Asia, Australia and Europe were developed to help guide the protection of staff and students, priorities on teaching activities and further educational development. Infection prevention, infection control, contact tracing and medical surveillance are detailed to minimise transmission and to enhance safety. Recommendations on teaching activities planning can enhance responsiveness of medical faculties to tackle subsequent waves of COVID-19 infection. A global approach and dialogue are encouraged.

Otolaryngology in the COVID-19

An overview of the present knowledge about COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on otolaryngology clinical practice. Recent findings about SARS-CoV- 2 virus and therefore the COVID-19 infection it causes are reviewed. The role of anosmia as a COVID-19 related symptom is presented. Further, considerations about steroid administration in ENT-related conditions are discussed. Due to the close work with mucosa surfaces of the upper aerodigestive tract, otolaryngologists and surrounding staff are considered high risk for coronavirus transmission. Hence, staff protection measures for ENT examinations, surgeries and other procedures during COVID-19 pandemic are recommended. Knowledge and evidence about the impact of COVID-19 infection on otolaryngology clinical practice are accumulating rapidly. Additionally to patient’s management, safety of health care professionals should be a main goal as of now.

Saudi orthopedic society guidelines for treating patients with bone and soft-tissue tumors during the COVID-19 pandemic

<b>Objectives:</b> The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a global effect and the Saudi Government has reacted aggressively to control the disease. Cancer patients are more susceptible to disease due to reduced immunity and are at higher risk of developing severe disease. In this article, we discuss the recommendations on slowing down the spread and easing the severity of COVID-19 in such patients. <b>Methods:</b> We have outlined guidelines and recommendations to be followed by orthopedic oncology centers in Saudi Arabia. These have been distributed to the Saudi Orthopedic Association-Oncology Chapter (SOA-OC) members for suggestions and recommendations. <b>Results:</b> A review of the literature was performed by searching for articles discussing COVID-19 measures related to cancer patients or patients undergoing surgical interventions during the pandemic. The authors discussed the recommendations and algorithmic pathways that were created to be implemented in orthopedic oncology centers around the country. Recommendations were reviewed by the SOA-OC members, who reached an agreement on application and publication. These recommendations focused on orthopedic cancer patient protection during clinical visits, inpatient, and surgical interventions. In addition, we discussed the recommendations for staff protection, including minimizing patient contact and continuing medical education during the pandemic. <b>Conclusion:</b> The reported algorithms and recommendations could help orthopedic oncology centers protect both their patients and staff from COVID-19 infection. These measures are highly recommended for continuing the treatment offered to orthopedic oncology patients, regardless of their infection status with COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Problems and Strategies: Building a Future for Cultural Heritage Protection in Shaanxi, China

In China’s ancient history, 14 dynasties set their capitals in Shaanxi. The most glorious periods included the Zhou, the Qin, the Han and the Tang Dynasties. Owing to Shaanxi’s particular historical position, a large quantity of cultural heritage had been left underground and overground. Protecting well these cultural heritage is of great significance. By literature review, it is indicated that different types of research have been conducted from the perspectives of protection work (investigation report, annual report, material assembly), academic exploration (Shaanxi cultural heritage protection in earlier period, macro-research), monographic study (great site protection, revolutionary cultural heritage protection, field cultural heritage protection, cultural heritage protection and social economy, archaeological site and cultural heritage protection, legal system, cultural heritage crime, fight against cultural heritage crime, cultural heritage digitization) and case studies. However, these studies are inadequate in quantity, quality, depth, analysis and creativity. In particular, besides the natural deterioration, the cultural heritage is suffering from human damages during the economic activities, such as urbanization, commercialism, consumerism, tourism and cultural heritage crime. The existing protection management and utilization approach are no longer effective and influential enough, deserving improvements. This paper aims to investigate the problems in cultural heritage protection in Shaanxi, and then analyze their causes and finally put forward targeted strategies and suggestions. Field investigation, literature review and comparative data analysis methods have been adopted. It is found that the cultural protection problems in Shaanxi lie in natural damage, human destruction, constructive damage, protective damage and commercial damage, which are caused by incomplete and inadequate execution of protective policies and conservative measures, incompetence to carry out an overall and sustainable protection thoroughly, insufficient investment in cultural heritage protection, insufficient professional protection staff, underdeveloped infrastructural facilities, inadequate public supports, severe challenges in capacity building, imperfect legal system and conservative concepts. Correspondingly, the multi-approaches strategies concerning improvements in investment, archaeological excavation, security supervision, fight against tomb robbing and smuggling and public interest litigation system are put forward. And suggestions on enhancing value recognition, digitization, big data platform, talents and team building, revolutionary cultural heritage protection and collaboration are also discussed. It concludes that the new protective conception of “both object and humanity spirit take equal priority” should be implemented.

Canadian Cancer Centre Response to COVID-19 Pandemic: A National and Provincial Response.

Background: COVID-19 has spread rapidly, requiring health delivery systems to undertake dramatic transformations. To evaluate these system changes, we undertook one of the first Canadian health delivery system reviews and the first Canadian cancer centre evaluation of pandemic system modifications. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to the Canadian Association of Provincial Cancer Agencies (CAPCA) members in order to assess changes to cancer centre services and patient management. Documentation relating to COVID-19 from the CAPCA electronic space was accessed, and all publicly available cancer centre documentation related to COVID-19 was reviewed. Results: Seven provinces completed the questionnaire and had documentation available from the CAPCA electronic space. All screening programs across Canada were suspended. In most provinces surveyed, ≥50% of outpatient appointments were occurring virtually, with <25% using video platforms. Generally, the impact on diagnostic imaging and new patient referrals correlated with the impact of COVID-19. Most provinces had a reduction in operating room availability, with chemotherapy and radiation treatments continuing. Public health modification, including personal protective equipment and screening staff, varied across the country. Conclusion: Canadian cancer centres underwent a rapid and aggressive transformation of services in response to COVID-19, with many similarities and differences across provinces. In part, this response was facilitated by communication under a national association, which in Canada remains unique to cancer. This response may serve to inform changes in other jurisdictions or disease states now and in future waves of the pandemic, as well as a record of changes for future health services and patient outcome research.

Resuming eye bank services during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience and inferences.

Purpose:The aim of this study was to formulate a methodological approach for resuming eye bank services during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:Eye bank operations were temporarily halted in March after the government-mandated “Lockdown” in response to COVID-19 pandemic. Before restarting eye bank operations in May, we studied sources of exposure, performed risk assessment, instituted additional process validations and redefined the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in consultation with the guidelines published by the Eye bank Association of India and All India Ophthalmological Society. The eye bank staff were rigorously trained before and after operations were restarted. We conducted a survey at the end of July to gauge staff attitude and reaction.Results:Eye banks services resumed on 20th May 2020. Since reopening till the end of July total 41 keratoplasties have been done. 91.75% of all keratoplasties done were therapeutic surgeries and 17% of the surgeries were done using glycerine preserved tissues. No staff had COVID-19 symptoms when the operations restarted and none developed symptoms up to the end of July. All eye bank staff were aware of COVID-19 pandemic and 86% said they felt safe working at the eye bank. 86% of the staff said that they received adequate training and 66% of the staff expressed that they always received proper PPE and kits. Overall, 93% of the staff expressed that the measures taken by the eye bank ensured their safety.Conclusion:Based on our experience we suggest the following activities for planned resumption of eye bank services during the pandemic: Exposure Risk Analysis, Personal Protective Equipment usage training, SOP Revision and staff training on modified SOPs. Criteria based selection of donor sources, participatory planning involving the staff and double-checking at critical process junctions helped us in managing a smooth transition.

Overlapping Impacts of HIV/COVID-19 Pandemic on HIV Vaccine Development

The quest for a safe and effective HIV vaccine holds life-saving potential for people globally. Interestingly, the HIV/COVID-19 overlapping pandemic have impacted each other in diverse ways, some being advantageous, while others detrimental. On one hand, the HIV platforms for development of rapid test kits, neutralizing antibodies, vaccine development and trials, collaboration and mobilization etc. has proved very helpful and a promising template for the development of interventions for the COVID-19 pandemic; while on the other hand, a number of ongoing HIV vaccine safety and efficacy trials are being abridged, stopped or suspended amidst the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) crisis. The COVID-19 outbreak that begun in Wuhan, megacity of China late December, 2019, has spread to 220 countries and territories, with more than 36 million total confirmed cases and 1,057,505 total deaths globally as at 08 October, 2020 and still counting. Currently, no approved vaccines exist to prevent infection with the novel Coronavirus, however, the impact of the pandemic has been enormous with devastating effects on the global health and economy, with many countries introducing stringent response measures to de-escalate the spread of the virus. Recruiting and retaining volunteers for HIV vaccine trials this period has become very challenging due to a lot of factors including fear of potential exposure to the new coronavirus, ethical issues and safety concerns amongst others. The protection and safety of participants and clinic staff remain a priority for HIV vaccine investigators worldwide. They are at the moment making conscious efforts to execute measures necessary to prevent potential exposure and transmission of COVID-19 among study participants and clinic staff in various study sites. This review takes a look at the overlapping impacts of the HIV/COVID-19 pandemic on HIV vaccine development.

Triage in the context of COVID-19 pandemic: conflict of law and ethics

In the article the author explores the features of the world's existing triage models. The principles and criteria that can be used as a basis for the development of such recommendations in Ukraine are ana-lyzed. It is concluded that the criteria of triage in its primary sense, which ensure the provision of effective medical care to the largest number of people in a situation of limited resources, do not include social criteria. The ethical problem of redistribution of limited human resources and equipment, reduction of volume of medical care and termination of specialized assistance is analyzed. Conclusions are made on the principles of legal protection of medical staff in the case of a decision on triage. Author substantiates, that a mandatory component of the psychological well-being of medical staff and patients is the division of responsibilities for patient triage and treatment, as well as the provision of psychological, counseling, palliative care to patients.

LOOK Container Systems for the African Market

The light observation-protective container (LOOK) is intended for security and protection of soldiers/officers performing observation missions, defence and control tasks at checkpoints, military bases or other important strategic locations. It increases the level of protection of staff performing observation and defence tasks thanks to the container's armouring, technical means of observation in both visible and infra-red light spectrums, as well as offering the possibility of armouring the container with weapons. LOOK equipped with integrated weapons reduces personnel losses and effectively combats threats in surveilled zones. LOOK is equipped with an operator (guard commander) post enabling observation and control, a gunner-sentry post with a control and observation desk, communication system, armoured windows with firing positions on three sides and a hatch in the roof for an additional external manual shooting position. In addition, the LOOK container system is equipped with a ventilation and heating subsystem with air conditioning and can be retrofitted with an emergency power supply subsystem. High mobility and transportability by land and sea are characteristics of LOOK.

Work, Health, and COVID-19

Work, Health, and COVID-19

Risk factors and prevention strategies for the occupational exposure of medical staff during the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic (Review).

During the sudden epidemic of this novel coronavirus-induced pneumonia, a number of medical staff were infected and even succumbed to coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Based on the experience of medical professionals from The Hubei 672 Orthopedics Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine on this COVID-19 pandemic, the present review summarizes the risk factors associated with the occupational exposure of front-line medical staff. Challenges encountered include insufficient understanding, lack of early protection, environmental factors and routine procedures and the lack of adequate prevention strategies. Overcoming these challenges can potentially enhance awareness of COVID-19 prevention and control among medical staff, in addition to strengthening the personal protection of front-line medical staff, rational area layout, regular disinfection, standardization of daily procedures, reasonable scheduling and early psychological intervention. The present article may serve as a referencing point for the prevention and control of this epidemic.

Head and Neck Cancer Treatment during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Central Experience in Rome. Emergency Management, Infection Prevention and Control.

Simple SummaryThe COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been spreading in our country since the beginning of 2020. Despite the emergency patients with head and neck cancer could not wait for treatment. Surgery in head and neck tumors, which consists of resection and reconstruction, must be timely, considering crucial further adjuvant treatments. Furthermore, the therapeutic results and morbidity depend on the size and progression of the disease. The management protocol included: telephone triage, nasopharyngeal swab tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA before hospitalization, application of infection prevention and control (IPC) policies. This preliminary study reports our experience in managing oncological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluating the efficacy of the safety and containment measures implemented in our unit for the protection of the whole staff as well. In our opinion, even though restrictions have to be developed first and foremost for the patient’s safety, medical and paramedical staff need to be protected as well.The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the surgical units, especially those operating on the airways. This study evaluates the series of patients with tumors of the head and neck treated by our unit during Phase-1 of the pandemic and the efficacy of the preventive measures implemented for protecting both the patients and staff. A screening program was administered to all the patients who had to undergo surgery. None of the patients tested and operated during Phase 1, between 10 March and 18 May 2020, were positive for COVID-19. A significant portion of the patients was suffering from tumors in advanced stages (T3 and T4). Two patients developed respiratory symptoms during their stay at the unit, so they were put in precautionary isolation and tested, but resulted negative for COVID-19. All the surgical department staff followed the Italian Ministry of Health’s prevention protocol and underwent serological testing. IgG and IgM were negative in everyone, thus confirming that nobody had been exposed to the virus. This study highlights the commitment to efficiently treating patients suffering from tumors of the head and neck region and confirms the effectiveness of the safety measures used to protect our patients and staff’s health.

Portable Epidemiological Isolation Unit. Ephemeral Architecture for Covid-19 Emergency

In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Colombian Ministry of Science and Technology launched the call for research proposals MinCienciatón. The call invited researchers in different fields, including epidemiology and biomedical design, to present solutions that help mitigate the health emergency produced by the fast spread of the virus worldwide. Among other subjects of interest, the call encouraged researchers to present ideas for the isolation of infected patients and the protection of medical staff. In this context, the LAB[1] was selected to design and produce a Portable Epidemiological Isolation Unit. Product of the laboratory’s research in polyhedral geometry and ephemeral architecture, we designed a pneumatic structure which permits the treatment of infected patients in aseptic and well ventilated spaces – as well as the isolation of medical staff and equipment. In the event that the health system becomes saturated, the Portable Epidemiological Isolation Unit will allow the sanitary authorities to expand its hospital capacity when needed. It will also permit the installation of field hospitals in isolated areas of the national territory that do not count with the necessary infrastructure to cope with the sanitary crisis. [1] In compliance with the blind evaluation policy of the journal, this proposal does not mention the name of the laboratory in question nor its institutional bond.

MONITORING THERMOTECHNICAL PARAMETERS OF THE PROCESSING INSTALLATIONS FROM A COMPOUND FEED FACTORY

To satisfy the growing and diversified demand for food from the population, all compound feed factories propose to obtain finished products of the best possible quality, in the shortest time and at the lowest possible cost. Given the complexity of the activities performed during the technological flow from a compound feed factory, this article proposes monitoring the thermotechnical parameters of installations by made experimental measurements using sensors installed at critical points. The measurements shown in this article were made during the production of two compound feed types, because each recipe involves different work parameters. The scope of this monitoring of thermotechnical parameters is to confirm the reliability of the devices that ensure the automated control of the equipment, so as to respect the European Union norms regarding the protection of staff and the environment.

Roadmap: one anesthesiology department's strategic approach to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven transformation in every aspect of the healthcare delivery system. The unpredictable onset and magnitude of COVID-19 infections resulted in wide gaps in preparedness for healthcare systems. The development of protocols to address both scarcity of resources and staff protection continues to be essential for risk mitigation. The northeast region of the United States had a rapid early surge of COVID-19 infections leading to the exhaustion of critical care capacity. In addition, northeastern hospitals experienced decrease in elective surgical interventions, including organ transplantation. Limited availability of COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment further fueled the pandemic. This commentary highlights a comprehensive innovative approach to addressing the operating room and hospital demands, as well as the shortages in resources and staffing during the pandemic. The VCU Department of Anesthesiology operated at 40% of its regular operating room volume throughout the COVID-19 pandemic because of the increased demand from emergency cases. The delay in the peak surge allowed Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Anesthesiology to develop a comprehensive infrastructure resulting in resulting is maximal workforce risk mitigation.

Safety and Precautionary Measures for Staff and Students During the Covid 19 Pandemic: A Malawian College of Health Sciences Case

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is exacting a huge toll on individuals, families, communities and societies across the world [1]. Furthermore, the pandemic has changed the lives of individuals, families, communities and societies globally (Inter-Agency Standing Committee; 2020). The protection of students, staff and educational facilities is particularly important during Covid-19 pandemic [2]. According to the Centre for Health protection [3]