Articles: coronavirus.
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The potential excess flow of patients into emergency departments and community clinics for testing and examination during a pandemic poses a major issue. These additional patients may lead to the risk of viral transmission to other patients and medical teams. To contain the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), the Israeli Ministry of Health initiated a plan spearheaded by Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel's national emergency medical services (EMS) organization. ⋯ Maximizing EMS during a pandemic using phone triage, in addition to dispatching paramedics to perform home testing, may significantly distance infected patients from the public and health care system. These steps can further minimize the spread of disease.
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Pacing Clin Electrophysiol · Aug 2020
Low prevalence of arrhythmias in clinically stable COVID-19 patients.
No studies investigated the prevalence of arrhythmias among clinically-stable patients affected by COVID-19 infection. ⋯ Our single-day snapshot survey suggests that the prevalence of arrhythmias among clinically stable COVID-19 patients is low. In particular, no life-threatening arrhythmic events occurred.
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Wong briefly summarises COVID pharmaceutical therapies that are currently in trial, and importantly have received media attention.
Highlighting that off-label use of these drugs may be important causes of future toxicological presentations to emergency departments, especially for those widely used in the community for other indications (eg. Plaquenil, Kaletra, colchicine...).
Briefly discussed are:
- Chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine
- Azithromycin
- Kaletra (Lopinavir/ritonavir)
- Colchicine
- Ivermectin
- Tocilizumab
- Thaildomide
- Remdesivir
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Am J Infect Control · Aug 2020
ReviewInfection control practices in children during COVID-19 pandemic: Differences from adults.
Limited studies have been published on practices and management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children. Despite the fact that COVID-19 rarely caused any severe disease in children, the asymptomatic children might be playing an important role for spreading COVID-19 in healthcare facilities. This review aimed at sharing our experience of how to handle patients with COVID-19 in a pediatric referral and tertiary care hospital to prevent the possible transmissions to the healthcare workers (HCWs). ⋯ Infection control precautions to prevent the possible transmissions to HCWs as well as the other patients and their caregivers from children with COVID-19 are very critical. If sufficient precautions are not taken, healthcare settings may serve as additional source of transmission and spread of COVID-19 in the society.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2020
ReviewSupporting adults bereaved through COVID-19: a rapid review of the impact of previous pandemics on grief and bereavement.
The global COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have a major impact on the experience of death, dying, and bereavement. This study aimed to review and synthesize learning from previous literature focused on the impact on grief and bereavement during other infectious disease outbreaks. We conducted a rapid scoping review according to the principles of the Joanna Briggs Institute and analyzed qualitative data using thematic synthesis. ⋯ In view of the limited research, specific learning from the current COVID-19 crisis and the impact on the bereaved would be pertinent. Current focus should include innovative ways to promote connection and adapt rituals while maintaining respect. Strong leadership and coordination between different bereavement organisations is essential to providing successful postbereavement support.