Infection prevention and control, pillar for safety of healthcare worker: COVID-19 experience, Patan Hospital, Nepal

Infection prevention and control (IPC) programs play an integral part in the safety of patients, visitors, health care workers and environment as these programs provide guidelines and standard for recognition, prevention and control of infection. With COVID-19 pandemic, Patan Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal, is amongst the few hospitals in Nepal to have undertaken the responsibility of managing COVID patients. The COVID response plan has been activated and is currently the best prepared institution to manage this pandemic. Keywords: COVID-19, Infection prevention and control (IPC), Nepa

Assessment of metered dose inhalation technique in patients with chronic lung disease at a tertiary health care center

Introduction: Poor inhalation technique among patients using Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) is one of the most common causes of increased acute exacerbations and hospital visits and leads to poor health outcome. Hence, the purpose of this research is to evaluate the correctness of inhalation steps in patients using MDI visiting Patan Hospital. Method: A total of 128 patients participated in the research. The study involved collection of basic sociodemographic information and visual observation of the inhalation technique of the patients using a standard checklist. Any mistakes made during the procedure were recorded. They were also asked to say each step as they performed it so that all of the steps could be clearly observed. Result: Out of 128 participants, only 3(2.34%) of the participants were able to perform all the eight steps correctly. Holding breath for five second was the most commonly made mistake 80(62.7%) followed by failure to exhale to residual volume 74(57.7%). Majority of participants were able to perform five steps correctly 29(22.6%). There seemed to be no association of inhalation technique with age, sex and educational status of the patient. Conclusion: Majority of the patients were unable to perform the inhalation steps correctly indicating the need for regular training programs to improve the inhalation technique and improve health outcome

Non-COVID and COVID emergency department healthcare workers’ perception of COVID-19 at Patan Hospital, Nepal

Introduction: Patan Hospital (PH), Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) has separated non COVID and COVID emergencies for the safety of health care workers (HCWs). This study was conducted to assess the safety perception of healthcare workers working in emergency departments during the outbreak of COVID-19. Method: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among HCWs in non COVID and COVID emergency departments at PH, PAHS, Nepal, in April 2020 during COVID-19 outbreak. Questionnaires containing open and closed questions were used. Ethical approval was obtained. Result: Out of 72 HCWs, 58 (80.5%) responded, 47 (81%) felt need to have separate non COVID and COVID emergencies, 27 (46.6%) answered they were not comfortable working with the partial PPE (masks, gloves), 29 (50%) felt the need of having primary and secondary triaging. Conclusion: Emergency staff expressed need of having separate non COVID and COVID emergencies, and importance of primary and secondary triage. Keyword: COVID-19, emergency, primary and secondary triag

Awareness of COVID-19 and perception of work satisfaction among healthcare workers at Patan Hospital, Nepal

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) awareness of disease outbreak, and working efficiently in a changed environment is vital to fight pandemic. How an institution responds to the crisis depends on HCWs response. This study aims to find out awareness of COVID-19 and work satisfaction of HCWs at Patan Hospital (PH), Nepal. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaires base descriptive study was conducted at PH, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal, in April 2020. The HCWs were grouped in to technical staff, doctors, and support staff. There were 20 questions each in the awareness of COVID-19 and work satisfaction domain. Ethical approval was obtained. Result: Of all the staff, 223 various level staffs responded to the questionnaire. There were 80 (35.9%) technical staff, 77 (34.5%) doctors and 66 (29.6%) support staff in the study. In the technical staff group 1106 (69.2%) responses were in favour of having good awareness and 1337 (83.5%) responses were in favour of satisfaction. In the doctors’ group 1233 (80.1%) responses were in favour of having good awareness and 1000 (65%) responses were in favour of satisfaction. In the support staff group 236 (17.7%) responses were in favour of having good awareness and 347 (26.2%) responses were in favour of satisfaction. Conclusion: Our study showed that technical staff and doctors had higher levels of perception of work satisfaction and awareness for COVID-19. Keyword: awareness, COVID-19, health care workers, perception, work satisfactio