Articles: pandemics.
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Southern medical journal · Feb 2023
Retrospective Study of Psychiatric Hospitalizations in a West Texas Mental Health Treatment Facility during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The association between the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and adverse mental health outcomes has been well documented; however, little is known about its impact in rural areas of the United States. This study aims to characterize and compare inpatient psychiatric admissions in West Texas before and during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Rural communities in West Texas experienced a decrease in psychiatric hospitalizations during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by an increase as lockdown restrictions began to lift; this warrants further investigation into healthcare service utilization during the pandemic.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Feb 2023
ReviewHome oxygen monitoring and therapy: learning from the pandemic.
Home oxygen monitoring and therapy have been increasingly used in the management of patients with chronic diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the rapid uptake of remote monitoring programmes to support people with COVID-19 at home. This review discusses the recent evidence and learning in home oxygen monitoring and therapy from the pandemic. ⋯ Recent evidence indicates that home oxygen monitoring therapy programmes are feasible in acute disease, but further research is needed to establish whether they improve patient outcomes, are cost-effective and to understand their equity impact.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2023
ReviewWhat Is New in Obstetric Anesthesia: The 2021 Gerard W. Ostheimer Lecture.
The Gerard W. Ostheimer lecture is given annually to members of the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology. This lecture summarizes new and emerging literature that informs the clinical practice of obstetric anesthesiologists. ⋯ Themes include maternal mortality; disparities and social determinants of health; cognitive function, mental health, and recovery; quality and safety; operations, value, and economics; clinical controversies and dogmas; epidemics and pandemics; fetal-neonatal and child health; general clinical care; basic and translational science; and the future of peripartum anesthetic care. Practice-changing evidence is presented and evaluated. A priority list for clinical updates, systems, and quality improvement initiatives is presented.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 2023
Development of Moral Injury in ICU Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Serial Interview Study.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ICU professionals have faced moral problems that may cause moral injury. This study explored whether, how, and when moral injury among ICU professionals developed in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ ICU professionals exhibit symptoms of moral injury such as feelings of betrayal, detachment, self-alienation, and disorientation. Healthcare organizations and ICU professionals themselves should be cognizant that these feelings may indicate that professionals might have developed moral injury or that it may yet develop in the future. Awareness should be raised about moral injury and should be followed up by asking morally injured professionals what they need, so as to not risk offering unwanted help.