The impact of a segregated team roster on obstetric and gynecology services in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic in a tertiary care center in India

Abstract

Objective: To determine the impact of roster reorganization on ensuring uninterrupted services while providing necessary relief to healthcare workers (HCW) in the obstetrics department of a tertiary care center amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: The COVID-19 rostering response began in April 2020 and evolved in two phases: (1) development of new areas for screening and managing suspected/positive cases of COVID-19; and (2) team segregation according to area of work. The impact of these changes on HCWs and patients was assessed 3 months later. Results: Developing separate areas helped to minimize the risk of exposure of patients and HCWs to those with COVID-19. Residents and consultants worked intensively in clinical areas for 1 week followed by 1-2 weeks of non-clinical or standby assignments, providing adequate opportunity for isolation. Frequent re-evaluation of the roster was nevertheless required as the pandemic progressed. Segregating teams vertically significantly reduced the number of contacts identified on contact tracing and quarantine leaves, while maintaining patient satisfaction with no increase in adverse events. Residents found the roster to be "smart" and "pandemic-appropriate." Conclusion: The "COVID emergency roster" helped ensure quality care with minimum risk of exposure and sufficient breaks for physical and psychological recovery of HCWs.

Anxieties and apprehensions among women waiting for fertility treatments during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…As a tertiary care referral centre ( at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India), our unit was catering between 100 to 200 new registrations per month of infertile couples consulting for various infertility treatments before the pandemic ( Figure 1). However, these services were shut down following the sudden declaration of national lockdown in India on March 24, 2020, as manpower and infrastructure were shifted towards management of the pandemic [3].…”

Effective interventions to ensure MCH (Maternal and Child Health) services during pandemic related health emergencies (Zika, Ebola, and COVID-19): A systematic review

“…Engaging pregnant women and health care providers in promoting activities sensitized the community to utilize hospital-based care [ 66 ]. To manage the patients’ flow and infection transmission, providers reported a shift in their service delivery methods through rigorously following sanitization measures [ 22 ] and allocating dedicated areas for the infected cases [ 76 ].…”

“…Other strategies adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic include strict screening and testing for patients, restricting attendants, virtual follow-up of cases [ 76 ], patient triage, and screening before the appointment [ 43 , 48 ]. In some facilities, signposts were used to guide the patients to screening and triage areas [ 42 ].…”

“…In some facilities, signposts were used to guide the patients to screening and triage areas [ 42 ]. Proper staff management used a weekly roster to maintain the rhythm of services by dedicated team and space to keep a check on existing pandemics [ 76 ]. Based on the above interventions and strategies, a framework is developed ( Fig 5 ) for ensuring MCH care during emergencies.…”

Infection control strategies for patients and accompanying persons during the COVID-19 pandemic in German hospitals: a cross-sectional study in March–April 2021

“…Interestingly, next to a few case studies [ 44 , 45 , 46 ] no other multi-centre study could be found on this topic. It would also be interesting to see two years into the pandemic to see if the regulations in March/April 2021 were transitional or long-term solutions.…”