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Jose S, Geller G, Bollinger J, Mathews D, Kahn J, Garibaldi BT. The ethics of using COVID-19 host genomic information for clinical and public health decision-making: A survey of US health professionals. HGG ADVANCES 2024; 5:100255. [PMID: 37978805 PMCID: PMC10746522 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2023.100255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Several genetic variants linked to COVID-19 have been identified by host genomics researchers. Further advances in this research will likely play a role in the clinical management and public health control of future infectious disease outbreaks. The implementation of genetic testing to identify host genomic risk factors associated with infectious diseases raises several ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSIs). As an important stakeholder group, health professionals can provide key insights into these ELSI issues. In 2021, a cross-sectional online survey was fielded to US health professionals. The survey explored how they view the value and ethical acceptability of using COVID-19 host genomic information in three main decision-making settings: (1) clinical, (2) public health, and (3) workforce. The survey also assessed participants' personal and professional experience with genomics and infectious diseases and collected key demographic data. A total of 603 participants completed the survey. A majority (84%) of participants agreed that it is ethically acceptable to use host genomics to make decisions about clinical care and 73% agreed that genetic screening has an important role to play in the public health control of COVID-19. However, more than 90% disagreed that it is ethically acceptable to use host genomics to deny resources or admission to individuals when hospital resources are scarce. Understanding stakeholder perspectives and anticipating ELSI issues will help inform policies for hospitals and public health departments to evaluate and perhaps adopt host genomic technologies in an ethically and socially responsible manner during future infectious disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheethal Jose
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Gail Geller
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Juli Bollinger
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Debra Mathews
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jeffrey Kahn
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Brian T Garibaldi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Lukowski J, Vasa A, Arguinchona C, ElRayes W, Frank MG, Galdys AL, Garcia MC, Garland JA, Kline S, Persson C, Ruby D, Sauer LM, Vasistha S, Carrasco S, Herstein JJ. A narrative review of high-level isolation unit operational and infrastructure features. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012037. [PMID: 37423621 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
High-level isolation units (HLIUs) are specially designed facilities for care and management of patients with suspected or confirmed high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs), equipped with unique infrastructure and operational features. While individual HLIUs have published on their experiences caring for patients with HCIDs and two previous HLIU consensus efforts have outlined key components of HLIUs, we aimed to summarise the existing literature that describes best practices, challenges and core features of these specialised facilities. A narrative review of the literature was conducted using keywords associated with HLIUs and HCIDs. A total of 100 articles were used throughout the manuscript from the literature search or from alternate methods like reference checks or snowballing. Articles were sorted into categories (eg, physical infrastructure, laboratory, internal transport); for each category, a synthesis of the relevant literature was conducted to describe best practices, experiences and operational features. The review and summary of HLIU experiences, best practices, challenges and components can serve as a resource for units continuing to improve readiness, or for hospitals in early stages of developing their HLIU teams and planning or constructing their units. The COVID-19 pandemic, a global outbreak of mpox, sporadic cases of viral haemorrhagic fevers in Europe and the USA, and recent outbreaks of Lassa fever, Sudan Ebolavirus, and Marburg emphasise the need for an extensive summary of HLIU practices to inform readiness and response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Lukowski
- College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | | | - Christa Arguinchona
- Special Pathogens Program, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, Washington, USA
| | - Wael ElRayes
- College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Global Center for Health Security, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Maria G Frank
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Biocontainment Unit, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Alison L Galdys
- Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine - Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School Twin Cities Campus, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mary C Garcia
- Department of Laboratory Services, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer A Garland
- Department of Hospital Epidemiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Susan Kline
- Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine - Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School Twin Cities Campus, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Caroline Persson
- Biocontainment Unit, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Darrell Ruby
- Special Pathogens Program, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, Washington, USA
| | - Lauren M Sauer
- College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Global Center for Health Security, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Sami Vasistha
- Global Center for Health Security, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Sharon Carrasco
- Serious Communicable Disease Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jocelyn J Herstein
- College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Global Center for Health Security, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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