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Lerman Ginzburg S, Vazquez-Dodero T, Mason C, Hudda N, Meunier L, Sprague Martínez L, Eliasziw M, Brugge D. Adapting an In-Home Randomized Intervention Trial Protocol for COVID-19 Precautions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1987. [PMID: 36767354 PMCID: PMC9915540 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the status of clinical trials in the United States, requiring researchers to reconsider their approach to research studies. In light of this, we discuss the changes we made to the protocol of the Home Air Filtration for Traffic-Related Air Pollution (HAFTRAP) study, a randomized crossover trial of air filtration in homes next to a major highway. The senior authors designed the trial prior to the pandemic and included in-person data collection in participants' homes. Because of the pandemic, we delayed the start of our trial in order to revise our study protocol to ensure the health and well-being of participants and staff during home visits. To our knowledge, there have been few reports of attempts to continue in-home research during the pandemic. METHODS When pandemic-related protective measures were imposed in March 2020, we were close to launching our trial. Instead, we postponed recruitment, set a new goal of starting in September 2020, and spent the summer of 2020 revising our protocol by developing increased safety precautions. We reviewed alternative approaches to installing portable air filtration units in study participants' homes, in order to reduce or eliminate entry into homes. We also developed a COVID-19 safety plan that covered precautionary measures taken to protect both field team staff and study participants. RESULTS Our primary approach was to minimize contact with participants when collecting the following measures in their homes: (1) placing portable air filtration units; (2) conducting indoor air quality monitoring; (3) obtaining blood samples and blood pressure measurements; and (4) administering screening, consent, and follow-up questionnaires that coincided with collection of biological measures. Adapting our public health trial resulted in delays, but also helped ensure ethical and safe research practices. Perceived risk of COVID-19 infection appeared to have been the primary factor for an individual in deciding whether or not to participate in our trial, particularly at the beginning of the pandemic, when less was known about COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS We needed to be flexible, creative, and calm when collaborating with community members, the IRB, and the universities, while repeatedly adjusting to changing guidelines as we determined what worked and what did not for in-home data collection. We learned that high-quality air monitoring data could be collected with minimal in-person contact and without compromising the integrity of the trial. Furthermore, we were able to collect blood pressure and phlebotomy data with minimal risk to the participant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shir Lerman Ginzburg
- Department of Public Health, School of Arts and Sciences, MCPHS University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Teresa Vazquez-Dodero
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Chermaine Mason
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Neelakshi Hudda
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02476, USA
| | - Leigh Meunier
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | | | - Misha Eliasziw
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Doug Brugge
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
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Hall AJ, Clement ND, MacLullich AMJ, Simpson AHRW, White TO, Duckworth AD. The IMPACT of COVID-19 on trauma & orthopaedic surgery provides lessons for future communicable disease outbreaks : minimum reporting standards, risk scores, fragility trauma services, and global collaboration. Bone Joint Res 2022; 11:342-345. [PMID: 35642467 PMCID: PMC9233405 DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.116.bjr-2022-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Research into COVID-19 has been rapid in response to the dynamic global situation, which has resulted in heterogeneity of methodology and the communication of information. Adherence to reporting standards would improve the quality of evidence presented in future studies, and may ensure that findings could be interpreted in the context of the wider literature. The COVID-19 pandemic remains a dynamic situation, requiring continued assessment of the disease incidence and monitoring for the emergence of viral variants and their transmissibility, virulence, and susceptibility to vaccine-induced immunity. More work is needed to assess the long-term impact of COVID-19 infection on patients who sustain a hip fracture. The International Multicentre Project Auditing COVID-19 in Trauma & Orthopaedics (IMPACT) formed the largest multicentre collaborative audit conducted in orthopaedics in order to provide an emergency response to a global pandemic, but this was in the context of many vital established audit services being disrupted at an early stage, and it is crucial that these resources are protected during future health crises. Rapid data-sharing between regions should be developed, with wider adoption of the revised 2022 Fragility Fracture Network Minimum Common Data Set for Hip Fracture Audit, and a pragmatic approach to information governance processes in order to facilitate cooperation and meta-audit. This editorial aims to: 1) identify issues related to COVID-19 that require further research; 2) suggest reporting standards for studies of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases; 3) consider the requirement of new risk scores for hip fracture patients; and 4) present the lessons learned from IMPACT in order to inform future collaborative studies. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(6):342–345.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Hall
- Department of Orthopaedics, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Clydebank, UK.,Edinburgh Orthopaedics, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Scottish Orthopaedic Research Trust into Trauma (SORT-IT), Edinburgh, UK.,Scottish Hip Fracture Audit (SHFA), NHS National Services Scotland, Edinburgh, UK.,Department of Orthopaedics & Trauma, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Nick D Clement
- Edinburgh Orthopaedics, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Scottish Orthopaedic Research Trust into Trauma (SORT-IT), Edinburgh, UK.,Scottish Hip Fracture Audit (SHFA), NHS National Services Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alasdair M J MacLullich
- Scottish Hip Fracture Audit (SHFA), NHS National Services Scotland, Edinburgh, UK.,Department of Ageing and Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Tim O White
- Edinburgh Orthopaedics, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Scottish Orthopaedic Research Trust into Trauma (SORT-IT), Edinburgh, UK.,Department of Orthopaedics & Trauma, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew D Duckworth
- Edinburgh Orthopaedics, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Scottish Orthopaedic Research Trust into Trauma (SORT-IT), Edinburgh, UK.,Department of Orthopaedics & Trauma and Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Hsu CH, Huang HT, Chen CH, Fu YC, Chou PH, Hsu NC. Global Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Orthopedics and the Implications of Telemedicine: A Systematic Review of the Literature. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11112983. [PMID: 35683371 PMCID: PMC9181233 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11112983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to systematically review the literature on the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on the orthopedics field by focusing on multiple aspects, including orthopedic training and application, performance, work loading, change of practice, research work, and other psychological factors. Published articles were searched using the PubMed database. Articles were selected in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Of 58 studies published between 1 January 2020 and 1 October 2021, 57 peer-reviewed original articles were included. Nearly 90% of students experienced an impact of the pandemic on application. The impact on training stemmed from redeployment rates of 20.9–23.1%. The rate of emergency or outpatient visits decreased from 18% to 58.6%. The rates of all surgeries or emergency surgeries decreased by 15.6–49.4%, while the rates of elective surgeries decreased by 43.5–100%. The rate of work loading ranged from 33% to 66%. Approximately 50–100% of surgeons had a change of practice. A total of 40.5% of orthopedic surgeons experienced mild psychological pressure. Approximately 64% had stopped research participant recruitment. Most of the included studies were conducted in Europe, followed by Asia and North America. It is suggested orthopedic surgeons prepare more sufficient, flexible, and reservable staffing measures, proper preventive strategies and surgical scheduling algorithms, and set up dedicated venues and equipment for routine telemedicine with staff training for virtual teaching or consultations in case of future impacts on orthopedics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hao Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shiquan 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-H.H.); (C.-H.C.); (P.-H.C.)
- Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, No. 68, Jhonghua 3rd Rd., Cianjin District, Kaohsiung 80145, Taiwan;
- Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
- Department of Orthopedics, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shiquan 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Ti Huang
- Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
- Department of Orthopedics, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shiquan 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hwan Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shiquan 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-H.H.); (C.-H.C.); (P.-H.C.)
- Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, No. 68, Jhonghua 3rd Rd., Cianjin District, Kaohsiung 80145, Taiwan;
- Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
- Department of Orthopedics, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shiquan 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yin-Chih Fu
- Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, No. 68, Jhonghua 3rd Rd., Cianjin District, Kaohsiung 80145, Taiwan;
- Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
- Department of Orthopedics, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shiquan 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsi Chou
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shiquan 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-H.H.); (C.-H.C.); (P.-H.C.)
- Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
- Department of Orthopedics, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shiquan 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Nin-Chieh Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-23123456 (ext. 65130)
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Snowden GT, Clement ND, Zhang S, Xue Q, Simpson AHRW. Orthopaedic long COVID - the unknown unknowns : are we facing a pandemic of avascular necrosis following COVID-19? Bone Joint Res 2022; 11:10-11. [PMID: 35014543 PMCID: PMC8801165 DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.111.bjr-2021-0505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nick D. Clement
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh , Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, University of Edinburgh Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Shenqi Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qingyun Xue
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - A. Hamish R. W. Simpson
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh , Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, University of Edinburgh Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
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COVID-19 Impact on Musculoskeletal Regenerative Medicine Research: Maintaining Lab Continuity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18116110. [PMID: 34198945 PMCID: PMC8201300 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18116110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research in the fields of musculoskeletal tissue engineering and regenerative medicine may suffer a slowdown during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic emergency. This is likely to harm the development of new therapeutic strategies and their translation into the clinic in the long term. Recently, the need to maintain continuity in research activities in those fields has assumed even greater importance due to the accumulation of data concerning the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the musculoskeletal system. This study is aimed at the identification of a series of safe handling practices against COVID-19 diffusion to apply in a research environment, thus allowing the maintenance of research lab activities. METHODS The control measures to apply to mitigate the COVID-19 risk were identified and categorized utilizing the Hierarchy of Controls. We also compared our analysis with that assessed before the pandemic to consider the additional risk of COVID-19. RESULTS Results highlighted that the most relevant implemented measures to control SARS-CoV-2 were based on protecting people through engineering (e.g., ventilation and social distancing), and administrative (e.g., hand sanitization, work shifts) measures or Personnel Protective Equipment, rather than eliminating hazards at the source (e.g., smart working). CONCLUSIONS Work continuity in research labs during the COVID-19 emergency should be guaranteed by ensuring the protection of researchers in the workplace and considering the physical environment, the type of operators and work activity, and the proven ability of workers to face biological risks. The increased knowledge and awareness on lab' risks should be useful to prevent and mitigate future viral outbreaks.
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