SARS-CoV-2, the agent of COVID-19, is similar to two other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, in causing life-threatening maternal respiratory infections and systemic complications. Because of global concern for potential intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from pregnant women to their infants, this report analyzes the effects on pregnancy of infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory RNA viruses, and examines the frequency of maternal-fetal transmission with SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza (HPIV) and metapneumovirus (hMPV). There have been no confirmed cases of intrauterine transmission reported with COVID-19 or any other coronavirus infections. Influenza virus, despite causing approximately one billion annual infections globally, has only a few cases of confirmed or suspected intrauterine fetal infections reported. RSV is in an unusual cause of illness among pregnant women, and with the exception of one premature infant with congenital pneumonia, no other cases of maternal-fetal infection are described. Parainfluenza virus and human metapneumovirus can produce symptomatic maternal infections but do not cause intrauterine fetal infection. In summary, it appears that the absence thus far of maternal-fetal transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the COVID-19pandemic is similar to other coronaviruses, and is also consistent with the extreme rarity of suggested or confirmed cases of intrauterine transmission of other respiratory RNA viruses. This observation has important consequences for pregnant women as it appears that if intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 does eventually occur, it will be a rare event. Potential mechanisms of fetal protection from maternal viral infections are also discussed.
of communication such as phone calls and mail reminders had a positive impact on screening practices and that follow-up after an initial mHealth contact was required to be effective.Cervical cancer is a preventable disease, and with screening, precancers can be identified, treated successfully, and invasive disease successfully averted. However, screening compliance in the United States is 60%, and the reasons for this are multifactorial, including many barriers to general health care involving economics and transportation.Most Americans have cell phones so use of mHealth to improve cervical cancer screening makes sense. The best approach still needs to be identified: 1 text and 1 phone call, follow-up mailing, reminder text alone, or reminder text with specific information regarding barriers? Which is the best approach? Given the abundance of cell phone use for all aspects of daily living, it seems that additional studies in this area are highly warranted to take advantage of this approach to facilitating cervical cancer screening.-LVL)
INTRODUCTION:
With the advancement of To Err Is Human and Crossing the Quality Chasm, medical institutions have recognized the need to implement succinct Quality Improvement (QI) programs into the already packed Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) residency curricula. While several residents conduct projects to teach quality improvement (QI), establishing QI methodology as a habit in Ob/Gyn requires several further integrated measures in the curricula.
METHODS:
This study aims to conduct a qualitative review of 84 articles in the last 30 years of literature through scientific databases on topics regarding Ob/Gyn QI training, outcomes, and education in order to propose a novel integrated framework for education in Ob/Gyn.
RESULTS:
Of 321 abstracts determined, 84 articles were analyzed. There are currently multiple training methods including simulations, audio and video seminars and webinars are in practice to improve QI. The review establishes methods to efficiently integrate such models into day-to-day teaching rather than single projects. The framework suggests for reducing gaps between determinants for improvements in QI training, the emerging characteristics of a system that enables trainees to learn hands on skills and broaden their horizon to predict upcoming challenges, and the measures of qualitative and quantitative efficiency in Ob/Gyn.
CONCLUSION:
The proposed integrated framework provides an evidence-based curriculum for improvement of QI training in the Ob/Gyn setting. In turn, this will assist in the training of Ob/Gyn residents to use QI measures as a habit, rather than a method of action.
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