-
Infection Control and Hospital... Mar 2022To describe a pilot project infection prevention and control (IPC) assessment conducted in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in New York State (NYS) during a pivotal...
OBJECTIVE
To describe a pilot project infection prevention and control (IPC) assessment conducted in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in New York State (NYS) during a pivotal 2-week period when the region became the nation's epicenter for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
DESIGN
A telephone and video assessment of IPC measures in SNFs at high risk or experiencing COVID-19 activity.
PARTICIPANTS
SNFs in 14 New York counties, including New York City.
INTERVENTION
A 3-component remote IPC assessment: (1) screening tool; (2) telephone IPC checklist; and (3) COVID-19 video IPC assessment (ie, "COVIDeo").
RESULTS
In total, 92 SNFs completed the IPC screening tool and checklist: 52 (57%) were conducted as part COVID-19 investigations, and 40 (43%) were proactive prevention-based assessments. Among the 40 proactive assessments, 14 (35%) identified suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases. COVIDeo was performed in 26 (28%) of 92 assessments and provided observations that other tools would have missed: personal protective equipment (PPE) that was not easily accessible, redundant, or improperly donned, doffed, or stored and specific challenges implementing IPC in specialty populations. The IPC assessments took ∼1 hour each and reached an estimated 4 times as many SNFs as on-site visits in a similar time frame.
CONCLUSIONS
Remote IPC assessments by telephone and video were timely and feasible methods of assessing the extent to which IPC interventions had been implemented in a vulnerable setting and to disseminate real-time recommendations. Remote assessments are now being implemented across New York State and in various healthcare facility types. Similar methods have been adapted nationally by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Infection Control; New York City; Nursing Homes; Pilot Projects; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33736719
DOI: 10.1017/ice.2021.100 -
Medical Education Online Dec 2021: In Italy, medical simulation is undergoing a phase of intense diffusion, establishing a more decisive and uniform role in medical education. Educators receive many...
: In Italy, medical simulation is undergoing a phase of intense diffusion, establishing a more decisive and uniform role in medical education. Educators receive many opportunities to train in simulation education, but these provide little room for personal growth and collaboration. This could have a negative impact on education quality and the standardization of processes. Thus, we found a gap in new information technology use, specifically in the informal diffusion of medical simulation content knowledge. Using a blog platform, we identified a space in which people can disseminate information, share their experiences, criticisms, and perspectives.: From March 2016 to November 2019, we implemented a novel pilot project, creating the first Italian blog on simulations, dedicated to simulation educators. It contained the following main sections: communication, debriefing, simulation experiences, instructions for use, journal club, and psychology.: Multidisciplinary personnel contributed to the blog's content. With over 70 posts, the blog accumulated 25,615 pageviews and 9,056 sessions, without promotional, monetary support or diffusion efforts. The average visitor session was 2.17 minutes long and the average pages viewed in a session was 2.83. Additionally, 30.5% of the users were returning visitors and 58.67% found the website through Google.: Despite the blog's niche subject, the results were encouraging. The materials were not only meant for personal viewing, but also as a source for announcing public events (meetings and workshops). The project provided educators with an easy tool for continuous education. We believe that it enabled and organized the informal sharing of educational simulation content. As such, it also offered significant insights into formal program consolidation and the standardization of simulation instruction, while we wait for further local scientific literature production. For future developments, we believe that collaborations with other stakeholders, scientific societies, and ethical sponsorship could foster this project's continuation.
Topics: Blogging; Humans; Information Dissemination; Italy; Pilot Projects; Simulation Training
PubMed: 33899698
DOI: 10.1080/10872981.2021.1920089 -
BMC Health Services Research Jul 2022Globally, 19 million children have preventable vision impairment simply because refractive and eye health services are inaccessible to most of them. In Zambia,...
BACKGROUND
Globally, 19 million children have preventable vision impairment simply because refractive and eye health services are inaccessible to most of them. In Zambia, approximately 50,000 school children need spectacle provision. The School-based Eye Health Programme (SEHP) has been identified worldwide as a proven strategy to address childhood blindness. Given its great benefits, the Zambian government intends to scale up the programme. This scalability assessment aims to identify and evaluate the essential components of an effective SEHP, determine roles, assess existing capacities within user organisations, identify environmental facilitating and inhibiting factors, and estimate the minimum resources necessary for the scaling up and their proposed scale-up strategies.
METHODS
Five elements (innovation, user organisation, resource team, environment, and strategies for horizontal and vertical scaling-up) were assessed guided by the ExpandNet-WHO Nine Steps for Developing a Scaling-Up Strategy. Literature review on proven strategies to reduce childhood blindness and the credibility of SEHP implemented in resource-limited settings, document review on the pilot project, questionnaires, and stakeholders' interviews were conducted to collect data for this assessment. Subsequently, twenty questions in the Worksheets for Developing a Scaling-up Strategy were used to report the assessment outcome systematically.
RESULTS
Additional components of SEHP incorporated in Zambia's model enhanced the innovation's credibility and relevance. The resource team was relatively competent in the pilot project, and the same team will be employed during the scaling-up. Potential change in political parties, the lack of supply chain, and unstable financial support were identified as inhibiting factors. The objectives of SEHP were aligned with the National Eye Health Strategic Plan 2017-2021, which supports the institutionalisation of the SEHP into the existing School Health and Nutrition Programme. For the pace of expansion, replicating SEHP to another district rather than a province will be more realistic.
CONCLUSION
Scaling up a comprehensive SEHP in Zambia is feasible if sufficient funding is available. Additionally, the pace must be adapted to the local context to ensure that every component within the SEHP is intact.
Topics: Blindness; Child; Health Promotion; Humans; Pilot Projects; Schools; Zambia
PubMed: 35879794
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08350-2 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023This study explored the perceptions of registered nurses on the facilitators and barriers to implementing an AI/IoT (Artificial Intelligence/Internet of Things)-based...
Perceptions of registered nurses on facilitators and barriers of implementing the AI-IoT-based healthcare pilot project for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored the perceptions of registered nurses on the facilitators and barriers to implementing an AI/IoT (Artificial Intelligence/Internet of Things)-based healthcare pilot project, designed to prevent frailty and improve health behaviors by providing Bluetooth-enabled smart devices (including blood pressure and blood glucose meters) for the older adults aged over 65 years and above in South Korea.
METHODS
Using a qualitative descriptive methodology, interviews and qualitative surveys were conducted with 15 registered nurses from 11 public health centers. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
The study found that the AI·IoT-based healthcare pilot project was well received by participants, leading to increased client satisfaction and improved health behaviors. Government support and funding were crucial facilitators of project implementation. However, technical challenges and disparities in digital literacy among older adults pose significant barriers.
CONCLUSION
The findings highlight the potential of AI·IoT technologies in improving the healthcare of older adults. Efforts to address technological challenges and enhance digital literacy among vulnerable populations are necessary for successfully implementing such interventions. Government support and ongoing training for healthcare professionals can help optimize the AI·IoT-based healthcare services for older adults.
Topics: Humans; Aged; COVID-19; Pilot Projects; Artificial Intelligence; Pandemics; Republic of Korea; Patient Satisfaction; Nurses
PubMed: 37886046
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1234626 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Dec 2021Cross-border malaria in Laiza City of Myanmar seriously affected Yingjiang County of China and compromised reaching the goal of malaria elimination by 2020. Since 2017,...
BACKGROUND
Cross-border malaria in Laiza City of Myanmar seriously affected Yingjiang County of China and compromised reaching the goal of malaria elimination by 2020. Since 2017, a pilot project on 3 + 1 strategy of joint cross-border malaria prevention and control was carried out for building a malaria buffer in these border areas. Here, 3 were the three preventive lines in China where different focalized approaches of malaria elimination were applied and + 1 was a defined border area in Myanmar where the integrated measures of malaria control were adopted.
METHODS
A 5-year retrospective analysis (2015 to 2019) was conducted that included case detection, parasite prevalence and vector surveillance. Descriptive statistics was used and the incidence or rates were compared. The annual parasite incidence and the parasite prevalence rate in + 1 area of Myanmar, the annual importation rate in Yingjiang County of China and the density of An. minimus were statistically significant indictors to assess the effectiveness of the 3 + 1 strategy.
RESULTS
In + 1 area of Myanmar from 2015 to 2019, the averaged annual parasite incidence was (59.11 ± 40.73)/1000 and Plasmodium vivax accounted for 96.27% of the total confirmed cases. After the pilot project, the annual parasite incidence dropped 89% from 104.77/1000 in 2016 to 12.18/1000 in 2019, the microscopic parasite prevalence rate dropped 100% from 0.34% in 2017 to zero in 2019 and the averaged density of An. Minimus per trap-night dropped 93% from 1.92 in June to 0.13 in September. The submicroscopic parasite prevalence rate increased from 1.15% in 2017 to 1.66% in 2019 without significant difference between the two surveys (P = 0.084). In Yingjiang County of China, neither indigenous nor introduced case was reported and 100% cases were imported from Myanmar since 2017. The averaged annual importation rate from 2015 to 2019 was (0.47 ± 0.15)/1000. After the pilot project, the annual importation rate dropped from 0.59/1000 in 2016 to 0.28/1000 in 2019 with an overall reduction of 53% in the whole county. The reduction was 67% (57.63/1000 to 18.01/1000) in the first preventive line, 52% (0.20/1000 to 0.10/1000) in the second preventive line and 36% (0.32/1000 to 0.22/1000) in the third preventive line. The averaged density of An. Minimus per trap-night in the first preventive line dropped 94% from 2.55 in June to 0.14 in September, without significant difference from that of + 1 area of Myanmar (Z value = - 1.18, P value = 0.24).
CONCLUSION
The pilot project on 3 + 1 strategy has been significantly effective in the study areas and a buffer zone of border malaria was successfully established between Laiza City of Myanmar and Yingjiang County of China.
Topics: China; Humans; Malaria; Myanmar; Pilot Projects; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34906092
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06920-z -
Zeitschrift Fur Gerontologie Und... Feb 2021The rehabilitation of people after suffering a stroke is a long-term process, in which patients, their families and friends are reliant on social support and assistance.... (Review)
Review
The rehabilitation of people after suffering a stroke is a long-term process, in which patients, their families and friends are reliant on social support and assistance. Therefore, the individual promotion of available resources and autonomy of those affected represents an important task. The College for Health in Bochum and the German Stroke Help Foundation have developed the volunteer-supported model "Trained stroke helpers-a partnership-based model for local care (GeSa)" that educates stroke helpers as experts for individual local support of stroke patients and their relatives. The stroke helpers offer a patient-oriented care and individual assistance in the daily routine and therefore make a contribution to improvement of the health-related quality of life of those affected and their relatives. A training curriculum was developed and successfully tested and evaluated in a course with 21 stroke helpers. Up to summer 2020 a total of 480 stroke helpers have been trained at 16 locations in 37 courses. The experiences with the project have so far been consistently positive, which was confirmed by two scientific studies. The inclusion of cooperation partners for the coordination of the volunteers, which was already implemented in the model project, has been shown to be the most important success factor for the sustainability of the project. This article presents the results of the pilot study and the standardized process on implementation of a regional stroke helper project and describes the experiences with the previous course of the project.
Topics: Aftercare; Humans; Outpatients; Pilot Projects; Quality of Life; Stroke
PubMed: 33231762
DOI: 10.1007/s00391-020-01816-0 -
GMS Journal For Medical Education 2021More and more educational institutions are discovering the advantages of settings for digital teaching and learning and the technology of virtual reality (VR). This...
More and more educational institutions are discovering the advantages of settings for digital teaching and learning and the technology of virtual reality (VR). This also holds true for the BZ Pflege in the field of continuing education with age-heterogeneous groups of participants. The question arises whether baby-boomers and X and Y generation learners accept, understand and perceive the digital form of learning with VR glasses as beneficial for their learning. A course has been developed with the goal of teaching the anatomy of the heart by immersive visualisation. A questionnaire was used to determine how the use of VR glasses influenced participants` learning, acceptance, understanding and cognitive load. The participants reacted positively to the VR technology. The new learning technology did not lead to cognitive overload. Participants indicated that they were able to link new knowledge with already existing knowledge. They also found the VR glasses easy to use. From the perspective of participants and project management alike, it can be said that age- heterogeneous groups present no obstacle for new innovative teaching methods, such as the use of VR glasses.
Topics: Adult; Anatomy; Education, Medical; Humans; Intergenerational Relations; Learning; Middle Aged; Motivation; Pilot Projects; Teaching; Virtual Reality
PubMed: 33763522
DOI: 10.3205/zma001433 -
BMC Health Services Research Mar 2022The Health Action for Psychiatric Problems In Nigeria including Epilepsy and SubstanceS (HAPPINESS) project trains non-specialist and primary health care workers in Imo...
Integrating mental health into primary care: evaluation of the Health Action for Psychiatric Problems In Nigeria including Epilepsy and SubstanceS (HAPPINESS) pilot project.
BACKGROUND
The Health Action for Psychiatric Problems In Nigeria including Epilepsy and SubstanceS (HAPPINESS) project trains non-specialist and primary health care workers in Imo State, Nigeria. This project adapted the World Health Organization's Mental Health Gap Action Programme-Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG), emphasizing stigma reduction among trainees. This convergent mixed-methods proof-of-concept study evaluates the HAPPINESS pilot project mhGAP-IG training's impact on mental illness stigma among trainees and barriers, facilitators, and opportunities to consider for project improvement.
METHODS
Trainees (n = 13) completed a 43-item questionnaire before and after their 5-day training to assess perceptions of mental disorders and attitudes towards people with mental illness. These responses were analyzed using paired-sample t-tests for four subscales of the questionnaire: acceptance of socializing with people with mental illness, normalizing activities and relationships with people with mental illness, supernatural causation of mental illness, and endorsement of a biopsychosocial approach to mental illness. Semi-structured key informant interviews (n = 11) with trainees, trainers, and local health officials who participated in or supported the HAPPINESS project were thematically analyzed to understand their experiences and perspectives of the project's barriers, facilitators, and opportunities.
RESULTS
Trainees showed significant improvements on socializing, normalizing, and supernatural causation subscales of the stigma questionnaire (p < 0.05). No significant effect was seen on the biopsychosocial subscale; however, evidence of biopsychosocial beliefs was found in interview responses. Key informant interviews revealed that the HAPPINESS project enhanced trainees' diagnostic and treatment abilities, mental health awareness, and empathy towards patients. Misinformation, stigma, inadequate funding, and lack of road access to clinics were identified as barriers to mental health care integration into general care in Imo State. Respondents also suggested ways that the HAPPINESS project could be improved and expanded in the future.
CONCLUSIONS
This study adds to the limited evidence on the implementation of mhGAP-IG in Nigeria. Using mixed methods, it evaluates how mhGAP-IG can impact perceptions and knowledge of stigma among primary care trainees. It also highlights barriers, facilitators, and opportunities to consider for project growth. Future efforts should focus on clinical support, supervision, health outcomes, as well as scaling up and assessing the cost-effectiveness of the HAPPINESS project intervention.
Topics: Epilepsy; Humans; Mental Health; Nigeria; Pilot Projects; Primary Health Care
PubMed: 35279154
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07703-1 -
Globalization and Health Apr 2020In 2016-2017, Vietnam's Ministry of Health (MoH) implemented an event-based surveillance (EBS) pilot project in six provinces as part of Global Health Security Agenda...
BACKGROUND
In 2016-2017, Vietnam's Ministry of Health (MoH) implemented an event-based surveillance (EBS) pilot project in six provinces as part of Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) efforts. This manuscript describes development and design of tools for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of EBS in Vietnam.
METHODS
A strategic EBS framework was developed based on the EBS implementation pilot project's goals and objectives. The main process and outcome components were identified and included input, activities, outputs, and outcome indicators. M&E tools were developed to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The tools included a supervisory checklist, a desk review tool, a key informant interview guide, a focus group discussion guide, a timeliness form, and an online acceptability survey. An evaluation team conducted field visits for assessment of EBS 5-9 months after implementation.
RESULTS
The quantitative data collected provided evidence on the number and type of events that were being reported, the timeliness of the system, and the event-to-signal ratio. The qualitative and subjective data collected helped to increase understanding of the system's field utility and acceptance by field staff, reasons for non-compliance with established guidelines, and other factors influencing implementation.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of M&E tools for the EBS pilot project in Vietnam provided data on signals and events reported, timeliness of reporting and response, perceptions and opinions of implementers, and fidelity of EBS implementation. These data were valuable for Vietnam's MoH to understand the function of the EBS program, and the success and challenges of implementing this project in Vietnam.
Topics: Disease Outbreaks; Epidemiological Monitoring; Global Health; Humans; Pilot Projects; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vietnam
PubMed: 32354353
DOI: 10.1186/s12992-020-00567-2 -
Drug and Alcohol Dependence Feb 2022The assessment of alcohol consumption during a drinking bout, known as drinking topography, may help improve understanding of biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying...
BACKGROUND
The assessment of alcohol consumption during a drinking bout, known as drinking topography, may help improve understanding of biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying alcohol consumption. However, past studies have been limited by effort-intensive, time-consuming, and error-prone processes involved in collecting, organizing, and standardizing drinking topography data. Recent technologies allowing integrated data collection and greater environmental control, such as virtual reality (VR), could resolve these problems.
METHODS
In this pilot project, we assessed alcohol consumption topography of participants in a VR drinking environment with a programmable virtual confederate (i.e., bar goer) during two testing sessions. In one, the confederate drank quickly (30-60 s sip interval). In the other, the confederate drank slowly (60-120 s sip interval). Participants' hands and beverage were represented in VR. Between sips, beverages were placed on a Bluetooth-enabled scale, allowing real-time updates of drink weight. Participant experience was assessed after each testing visit. Multilevel modeling was used to characterize the effect of confederation condition on sip interval and sip volume. Descriptive analyses were used for participant experience data.
RESULTS
Results showed significant, moderate-to-strong between-visit correlations for topographic measures (r = 0.50 to r = 0.84) and indicate participants found the experience to be comfortable and acceptable. Multilevel models indicated participants had greater sip volumes and lower sip intervals when the confederate drank quickly.
CONCLUSIONS
Future studies should take advantage of the considerable translational value of this technology to improve understanding of risk associated with individual drinking bouts and develop novel interventions for reducing hazardous drinking.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Humans; Pilot Projects; Virtual Reality
PubMed: 34998252
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109246