Responding to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Outbreak: Lessons Learned in a Toronto Emergency Department

Abstract

Controlling the Spread in the Emergency Department In an effort to deal with the transmission and onset of illness within health care and community settings, the province of Ontario designated a Provincial Operations Centre (POC),

Influence of N95 Mask-related Hypoxemia on Headache, Stress, Anxiety, and Quality of Sleep during COVID-19 Patient Care among Frontline Health Care Professionals

“…4 Though the use of N95 face masks in the primary prevention of COVID-19 is undeniable, its prolonged use is accompanied by adverse health effects including reduced SpO 2 and increased pulse rate. 5 Breathing through the mask leads to insufficient oxygen intake thereby stimulating the sympathetic nervous system and resulting in tachycardia. 6 Rapid breathing and higher incidence of chest discomfort develop as a result of hypoxemia due to usage of an N95 face mask for a continuous 4 hours duration.…”

“…4 Humidity and temperature are altered significantly on the facial region exposed to the mask. 5 Health care workers involved in COV I D -19 p a t i e n t c a r e e x p e r i e n ce compromised psychological well-being evident by increasing levels of anxiety and depression. 7 The stress documented among COVID-19 health care providers was found to have a significant association with the work environment, long working hours, irregular work schedules, and challenging duties at the intensive care unit (ICU).…”

Infection Control and Vaccine Hesitancy in the Emergency Department

“…With our recent experience with the second severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) pandemic, we reprint the timely "Responding to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Outbreak: Lessons Learned in a Toronto Emergency Department" from the first global SARS pandemic in 2003. 2 This JEN issue also includes 7 COVID-19-specific manuscripts. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] As the state of knowledge and evidence-based practice have been rapidly evolving in the pandemic, the manuscripts reflect updated knowledge at the time of submission.…”