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Kuo YS, Lu CH, Chiu PW, Chang HC, Lin YY, Huang SP, Wang PY, Chen CJ, Lin IC, Tang JS, Chang YH, Chang RH, Lin CH. Challenges of Using Instant Communication Technology in the Emergency Department during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Focus Group Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182312463. [PMID: 34886188 PMCID: PMC8656867 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A record outbreak of community-spread COVID-19 started on 10 May 2021, in Taiwan. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, care facilities have adopted various protocols using instant communication technology (ICT) to provide remote yet timely healthcare while ensuring staff safety. The challenges of patient evaluation in the emergency department (ED) using ICT are seldom discussed in the literature. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the utility of ICT for patient assessment in emergency settings during the pandemic. The patient flow protocol and the ED layout were modified and regionalized into different areas according to the patient’s risk of COVID-19 infection. Nine iPads were stationed in different zones to aid in virtual patient assessment and communication between medical personnel. A focus group study was performed to assess and analyze the utility of the ICT module in the ED. Eight emergency physicians participated in the study. Of them, four (50%) had been directly involved in the development of the ICT module in the study hospital. Three main themes that influenced the application of the ICT module were identified: setting, hardware, and software. The setting theme included six factors: patient evaluation, subspecialty consultation, patient privacy and comfortableness, sanitation, cost, and patient acceptability. The hardware theme included six factors: internet connection, power, quality of image and voice, public or personal mode, portable or fixed mode, and maintenance. The software theme included six factors: platform choices, security, ICT accounts, interview modes, video/voice recording, and time limitation. Future studies should focus on quantifying module feasibility, user satisfaction, and protocol adjustment for different settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuh-Shin Kuo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-S.K.); (C.-H.L.); (P.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.L.); (S.-P.H.); (P.-Y.W.); (C.-J.C.); (I.-C.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Chien-Hsin Lu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-S.K.); (C.-H.L.); (P.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.L.); (S.-P.H.); (P.-Y.W.); (C.-J.C.); (I.-C.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Po-Wei Chiu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-S.K.); (C.-H.L.); (P.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.L.); (S.-P.H.); (P.-Y.W.); (C.-J.C.); (I.-C.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Hung-Chieh Chang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-S.K.); (C.-H.L.); (P.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.L.); (S.-P.H.); (P.-Y.W.); (C.-J.C.); (I.-C.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Yu-Yuan Lin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-S.K.); (C.-H.L.); (P.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.L.); (S.-P.H.); (P.-Y.W.); (C.-J.C.); (I.-C.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Shao-Peng Huang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-S.K.); (C.-H.L.); (P.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.L.); (S.-P.H.); (P.-Y.W.); (C.-J.C.); (I.-C.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Pei-Yu Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-S.K.); (C.-H.L.); (P.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.L.); (S.-P.H.); (P.-Y.W.); (C.-J.C.); (I.-C.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Cheng-Jen Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-S.K.); (C.-H.L.); (P.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.L.); (S.-P.H.); (P.-Y.W.); (C.-J.C.); (I.-C.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - I-Chen Lin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-S.K.); (C.-H.L.); (P.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.L.); (S.-P.H.); (P.-Y.W.); (C.-J.C.); (I.-C.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Jing-Shia Tang
- Department of Nursing, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan 71703, Taiwan;
- International Doctoral Program in Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Hsin Chang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-S.K.); (C.-H.L.); (P.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.L.); (S.-P.H.); (P.-Y.W.); (C.-J.C.); (I.-C.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Ray Hsienho Chang
- Department of Security and Emergency Services, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA
- Correspondence: (R.H.C.); (C.-H.L.)
| | - Chih-Hao Lin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-S.K.); (C.-H.L.); (P.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-Y.L.); (S.-P.H.); (P.-Y.W.); (C.-J.C.); (I.-C.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
- Correspondence: (R.H.C.); (C.-H.L.)
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Interfacility transfer communication of multidrug-resistant organism colonization or infection status: Practices and barriers in the acute-care setting. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2021; 43:448-453. [PMID: 33858543 DOI: 10.1017/ice.2021.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe interfacility transfer communication (IFTC) methods for notification of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) status in a diverse sample of acute-care hospitals. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS Hospitals within the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Research Network (SRN). METHODS SRN members completed an electronic survey on protocols and methods for IFTC. We assessed differences in IFTC frequency, barriers, and perceived benefit by presence of an IFTC protocol. RESULTS Among 136 hospital representatives who were sent the survey, 54 (40%) responded, of whom 72% reported having an IFTC protocol in place. The presence of a protocol did not differ significantly by hospital size, academic affiliation, or international status. Of those with IFTC protocols, 44% reported consistent notification of MDRO status (>75% of the time) to receiving facilities, as opposed to 13% from those with no IFTC protocol (P = .04). Respondents from hospitals with IFTC protocols reported significantly fewer barriers to communication compared to those without (2.8 vs 4.3; P = .03). Overall, however, most respondents (56%) reported a lack of standardization in communication. Presence of an IFTC protocol did not affect whether respondents perceived IFTC protocols as having a significant impact on infection prevention or antimicrobial stewardship. CONCLUSIONS Most respondents reported having an IFTC protocol, which was associated with reduced communication barriers at transfer. Standardization of protocols and clarity about expectations for sending and receipt of information related to MDRO status may facilitate IFTC and promote appropriate and timely infection prevention practices.
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