Background. As demonstrated during the global Ebola crisis of 2014-2016, healthcare institutions in high resource settings need support concerning preparedness during threats of infectious disease outbreaks. is study aimed to exploratively develop a standardized preparedness system to use during unfolding threats of severe infectious diseases. Methods. A qualitative three-step study among infectious disease prevention and control experts was performed. First, interviews (푛 = 5) were conducted to identify which factors trigger preparedness activities during an unfolding threat. Second, these triggers informed the design of a phased preparedness system which was tested in a focus group discussion (푛 = 11). Here preparedness activities per phase and per healthcare institution were identified. ird, the preparedness system was completed and verified in individual interviews (푛 = 3). Interviews and the focus group were recorded, transcribed, and coded for emerging themes by two researchers independently. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results. Four preparedness phases were identified: preparedness phase green is a situation without the presence of the infectious disease threat that requires centralized care, anywhere in the world. Phase yellow is an outbreak in the world with some likelihood of imported cases. Phase orange is a realistic chance of an unexpected case within the country, or unrest developing among population or staff; phase red is cases admitted to hospitals in the country, potentially causing a shortage of resources. Specific preparedness activities included infection prevention, diagnostics, patient care, staff, and communication. Consensus was reached on the need for the development of a preparedness system and national coordination during threats. Conclusions. In this study, we developed a standardized system to support institutional preparedness during an increasing threat. Use of this system by both curative healthcare institutions and the (municipal) public health service, could help to effectively communicate and align preparedness activities during future threats of severe infectious diseases.
Purpose Venous thromboembolisms (VTE) are a major concern after acute survival from trauma. Variations in treatment protocols for trauma patients exist worldwide. This study analyzes the differences in the number of VTE events and the associated complications of thromboprophylaxis between two level I trauma populations utilizing varying treatment protocols. Methods International multicenter trauma registry-based study was performed at the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) in The Netherlands (early commencement chemical prophylaxis), and Harborview Medical Center (HMC) in the United States (restrictive early chemical prophylaxis). All severely injured patients (ISS ≥ 16), aged ≥ 18 years, and admitted in 2013 were included. Primary outcomes were VTE [deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (no screening), pulmonary embolism (PE)], and hemorrhagic complications. Results In UMCU, 279 patients were included and in HMC, 974 patients. Overall, 75% of the admitted trauma patients in UMCU and 81% in HMC (p < 0.001) received thromboprophylaxis, of which 100% in and 75% at, respectively, UMCU and HMC consisted of chemical prophylaxis. From these patients, 72% at UMCU and 47% at HMC (p < 0.001) were treated within 48 h after arrival. At UMCU, 4 patients (1.4%) (PE = 3, DVT = 1) and HMC 37 patients (3.8%) (PE = 22, DVT = 16; p = 0.06) developed a VTE. At UMCU, a greater percent of patients with VTE had traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Most VTE occurred despite adequate prophylaxis being given (75% UMCU and 81% HMC). Hemorrhagic complications occurred in, respectively, 4 (1.4%) and 10 (1%) patients in UMCU and HMC (p = 0.570). After adjustment for age, ISS, HLOS, and injury type, no significant difference was demonstrated in UMCU compared to HMC for the development of VTE, OR 2.397, p = 0.102 and hemorrhagic complications, OR 0. 586, p = 0.383. Conclusions A more early commencement protocol resulted in almost twice as much chemical prophylaxis being started within the first 48 h in comparison with a more delayed initiation of treatment. Interestingly, most episodes of VTE developed while receiving recommended prophylaxis. Early chemical thromboprophylaxis did not significantly increase the bleeding complications and it appears to be safe to start early.
Introduction Points of entry and other border regions educate, train, and exercise (ETEs) their staff to improve preparedness and response to cross-border health threats. However, no conclusive knowledge of these ETEs’ effectiveness exists. This study aimed to review the literature on ETEs in infectious disease control concerning their methods and effect, with an emphasis on cross-border settings and methods that enlarge ETEs’ reach. Methodology We systematically searched for studies in the databases Embase, Medline, Web of Science, PsycInfo, ERIC, and Cinahl. After successively screening titles and abstracts, full-texts, and citations, 62 studies were included using in- and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a data-extraction form. Quality assessment was performed. We developed a theoretical framework based on which we analyzed the ETE context (target group, recruitment, autonomy, training needs), input (topic, trainers, development and quality of materials), process (design, duration, interval, goals), evaluation (pre-, post- follow-up tests), and outcome (reaction, learning, behavior, and system). Results We found a limited number of published evaluations of ETEs in general ( n = 62) and of cross-border settings ( n = 5) in particular. The quality assessment resulted in seven ETE methodologies and 23 evaluations with a ‘good’ score. Both general studies and those in a cross-border setting contain a low-moderate detail level on context, input, and process. The evaluations were performed on reaction ( n = 45), learning (n = 45), behavior ( n = 9) and system (n = 4), mainly using pre- and post-tests ( n = 22). Online learning methods have a high potential in enlarging the reach and are effective, particularly in combination with offline training. Training-of-trainer approaches are effective for learning; new ETEs were developed by 20–44% of participants until six months after the initial training. Conclusion Our study reveals a limited number of publications on ETEs in infectious disease control. Studies provide few details on methodology, and use mainly short-term evaluations and low level outcomes. We call for more extensive, higher-level evaluation standards of ETEs, and an easy and sustainable way to exchange evaluations within the workforce of infectious disease control in cross-border settings. The theoretical framework developed in this study could guide future development and evaluation of ETEs in infectious disease control.
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