Low yield of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) asymptomatic routine screen testing, despite high community incidence

Kain, Dylan; Stall, Nathan M.; McGeer, Allison; Evans, Gerald A.; Allen, Vanessa; Johnstone, Jennie

doi:10.1017/ice.2021.304

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Despite a lack of evidence demonstrating that family caregivers or essential care partners played a role in the transmission of COVID-19 in hospitals [ 38 – 41 ], and the growing evidence of the negative impacts of restrictive visiting policies, hospitals across Canada have been slow to adopt more accommodating visiting policies during the pandemic. Interview participants highlighted the importance of balancing risk of COVID-19 contagion with potential harms of restrictive family presence policies and the resultant increase in workload to HCPs in their absence, something that can be achieved by ensuring flexibility regarding how family presence is defined and supported.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family caregivers as essential partners in care: examining the impacts of restrictive acute care visiting policies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

Montesanti

MacKean

Fitzpatrick

et al. 2023

BMC Health Serv Res

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Introduction During the pandemic many Canadian hospitals made significant changes to their ‘open family presence’ and ‘visitor policies’ to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by instituting restrictive or ‘zero visiting’ policies in healthcare facilities. These policies have the potential to create great hardship, anxiety and stress for patients, families, caregivers and frontline healthcare providers (HCPs); along with concerns about the quality and safety of patient care. The presence of family members and other caregivers as essential partners in care is an explicit expression of the philosophy of patient- and family-centred care (PFCC) in action. The purpose of this study is to increase our understanding of how changes to family presence and visiting policies and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted patients, family caregivers and frontline healthcare providers (HCPs) in acute care hospitals. Methods A total of 38 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients, family caregivers and HCPs in Canadian provinces who had experience with visiting policies in acute care settings during the pandemic. COVID patients, and the caregivers of COVID patients, were excluded from this study. A maximum variation sampling strategy was used to guide the selection and recruitment of patients, family caregivers and HCPs, based on our interest in gaining a diversity of perspectives and experiences. Results Many patients, family caregivers, and HCPs view family caregiver presence as integral to PFCC, describing the essential roles played by family caregivers prior to the pandemic. There were commonalities across all three groups with respect to their perspectives on the impacts of restrictive visiting policies on patients, family caregivers and HCPs. They fell into four broad integrated categories: (1) emotional and mental health; (2) communication and advocacy; (3) safety and quality of care; and (4) PFCC, trust in the healthcare system, and future decisions regarding accessing needed healthcare. Recommendations for pandemic visiting policies were also identified. Conclusions The findings from this study highlighted several impacts of restrictive family caregiver presence or visiting policies implemented during COVID-19 on patients, family caregivers and HCPs in acute healthcare settings across Canada. Participants emphasized that there is no “one-size-fits-all” caregiver presence policy that will address all patient needs. To be consistent with the practice of PFCC, patients and family caregivers are welcomed as part of the healthcare team in ways that work for them, demonstrating that flexibility in family presence and visiting policies is essential.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family caregivers as essential partners in care: examining the impacts of restrictive acute care visiting policies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

Montesanti

MacKean

Fitzpatrick

et al. 2023

BMC Health Serv Res

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“…Asymptomatic screen testing (i.e., asymptomatic testing in the absence of documented exposure), is not routinely recommended, especially in the low to moderate COVID-19 risk scenarios. 71,72 The use of asymptomatic screen testing as a temporary measure in the high COVID-19 risk scenario is an area that requires further study and should not be broadly implemented without further pilot data. There are substantial logistical and equity concerns that need to be taken into consideration (Table 3).…”

Section: Sars-cov-2 Testing For Schoolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

School Operation for the 2021-2022 Academic Year in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Science¹,

Thampi²,

Bitnun³

et al. 2021

Self Cite

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In-person learning is essential for the learning and overall well-being of children and youth. Therefore, barring catastrophic circumstances, schools should remain open for in-person learning.The level of community COVID-19 burden should inform the degree of school-based measures: the provided framework should be implemented at the regional level by public health units, considering local vaccination coverage rate and metrics of COVID-19 disease severity and to a lesser extent, SARS-CoV-2 transmission rate.Permanent measures that support the ongoing operation of schools, irrespective of the COVID-19 pandemic, include vaccination of all eligible individuals, exclusion of sick students and staff, hand hygiene, adequate ventilation, and environmental cleaning.Temporary measures (e.g., masking, physical distancing, cohorting) implemented in response to changes in COVID-19 disease burden should take into consideration student age, grade, and vaccination status.Re-initiation and maintenance of extracurricular activities (e.g., music, sports, clubs) is an important component of return-to-school plans.

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Covid-19 Surveillance Testing in Nursing Homes

2023

N Engl J Med

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Low yield of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) asymptomatic routine screen testing, despite high community incidence

Abstract: Low yield of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) asymptomatic routine screen testing, despite high community incidence.

Cited by 3 publications

References 6 publications

Family caregivers as essential partners in care: examining the impacts of restrictive acute care visiting policies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

Family caregivers as essential partners in care: examining the impacts of restrictive acute care visiting policies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

School Operation for the 2021-2022 Academic Year in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Covid-19 Surveillance Testing in Nursing Homes

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