Talent Management in Healthcare Administration

The health system is extraordinarily complex and more than other sectors requires building consensus among independent constituents, many of whom have existed for more than centuries. Health is a mission driven industry. The “end-consumer” for health is ultimately people everywhere, although the trend may be toward specialty delivery organizations (hospitals, pharmaceuticals, biotech start–up, insurance company) have at the core of their strategies making people healthy. These organizations recognize that health is about serving people at their most vulnerable and when they are in crisis. Healthcare facilities today face talent challenges. The ability to sustain a steady supply of talents is a challenge facing all organizations worldwide. Among the issues confronting the “next generation” workforce are impending skill shortages, an increasingly generational gap and diverse workforce, the need for knowledge transfer from retiring healthcare providers, and significant leadership gaps. At a time when organizations like the healthcare, aviation industry, and others need to optimize their workforces, most agree that talent management is of strategic importance. Health leaders are especially challenged to create work climates that motivate high-quality, patient-centered care and retain high demand talent in a competitive market. This paper aims to present strategies to maximizing talent management in the healthcare administration or system. Keywords: Healthcare, Talents management, Health system, Healthcare administration, Talent Strategy

Catheter intervention for branch and crossed pulmonary arteries

IntroductionOver the last decade, stent implantation has become a widely accepted, effective therapy for the treatment of pulmonary arterial (PA) stenoses. Stent implantation has proved to be a safe procedure with minimal complications.ObjectivesTo review our experience with branch PA stenting. We reviewed also catheter based interventions for patients with right aortic arch and crossed pulmonary arteries associated with branch PA stenosis.MethodRetrospective data analysis of all patients who had branch PA stenting at KACC, NGHA, Riyadh KSA, during the period from January 2006 till October 2009. Patients with pulmonary atresia VSD and MAPCAS were excluded.ResultsTwenty-one patients were identified to have PA stenting during the study period. 14 were females (66.7%). Six patients (29%) were syndromic (Alagile syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, Down syndrome, Goldenhar Syndrome, and Noonan Syndrome). Five patients (24%) had crossed Pas. Seven patients (33%) had PA, VSD, PDA, Two had TOF, one had AVSD with TOF, one DORV, one TGA, one truncus arteriosus with IAA type B, and one had Bicuspid AV with aortic stenosis as a primary diagnosis. All of them had branch PA stenting as a secondary procedure (post surgical intervention). Six patients (29%) had PA stenting as a primary intervention with no prior surgical intervention. Six patients (29%) had Bilateral branch PAs stenting, 11 (52%) had LPA stenting and 4 (19%) had RPA stenting. The median age at branch PA stenting was 35months (range 2months to 45years). The median weight was 10.5kg (2.8–100kg). The median F/U period was 32months (40days to 61months). Ten patients (48%) required stent dilatation after a median period of 28months (12–38months). One patient had failed LPA stenting (stent embolized and parked into RPA) who later underwent another intervention with successful LPA stenting.ConclusionStent implantation has proved to be a safe procedure with minimal complications.Even in those with crossed Pas. Restenoses is long term concerns which are amenable to redilatation with excellent results

Epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis in the Middle East and north Africa: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis in the Middle East and north Africa is poorly understood. We aimed to provide a comprehensive epidemiological assessment of C trachomatis infection in the Middle East and north Africa. METHODS: We did a systematic review of C trachomatis infection as well as a meta-analysis and meta-regression of C trachomatis prevalence. We searched PubMed and Embase, as well as regional and national databases up to March 13, 2019, using broad search terms with no language or year restrictions. Any document or report including biological measures for C trachomatis prevalence or incidence was eligible for inclusion. We extracted all measures of current (genital or rectal), recent, and ever infection with C trachomatis. We estimated pooled average prevalence in different populations using random-effects meta-analysis. Factors associated with prevalence and sources of between-study heterogeneity were determined using meta-regression. FINDINGS: We identified a total of 1531 citations, of which 255 reports contributed to 552 C trachomatis prevalence measures from 20 countries. No incidence measures were identified. Pooled prevalence of current genital infection was 3·0% (95% CI 2·3-3·8) in general populations, 2·8% (1·0-5·2) in intermediate-risk populations, 13·2% (7·2-20·7) in female sex workers, 11·3% (9·0-13·7) in infertility clinic attendees, 12·4% (7·9-17·7) in women with miscarriage, 12·4% (9·4-15·7) in symptomatic women, and 17·4% (12·5-22·8) in symptomatic men. Pooled prevalence of current rectal infection was 7·7% (4·2-12·0) in men who have sex with men. Substantial between-study heterogeneity was found. Multivariable meta-regression explained 29·0% of variation. Population type was most strongly associated with prevalence. Additional associations were found with assay type, sample size, country, and sex, but not with sampling methodology or response rate (about 90% of studies used convenience sampling and >75% had unclear response rate). There was no evidence for temporal variation in prevalence between 1982 and 2018. INTERPRETATION: C trachomatis prevalence in the Middle East and north Africa is similar to other regions, but higher than expected given its sexually conservative norms. High prevalence in infertility clinic attendees and in women with miscarriage suggests a potential role for C trachomatis in poor reproductive health outcomes in this region. FUNDING: National Priorities Research Program from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation)

SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity are associated with genetic variants affecting gene expression in a variety of tissues

Variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity between individuals is partly due to genetic factors. Here, we identify 4 genomic loci with suggestive associations for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and 19 for COVID-19 disease severity. Four of these 23 loci likely have an ethnicity-specific component. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals in 11 loci colocalize with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with the expression of 20 genes in 62 tissues/cell types (range: 1:43 tissues/gene), including lung, brain, heart, muscle, and skin as well as the digestive system and immune system. We perform genetic fine mapping to compute 99% credible SNP sets, which identify 10 GWAS loci that have eight or fewer SNPs in the credible set, including three loci with one single likely causal SNP. Our study suggests that the diverse symptoms and disease severity of COVID-19 observed between individuals is associated with variants across the genome, affecting gene expression levels in a wide variety of tissue types

A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

peer reviewe

Predictors of poor glycaemic control among type two diabetic patients

Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death and results in high morbidity[1]. In Saudi Arabia, diabetes affected 24.7% of the population and cost 51 Billion Saudi Riyal for treatment[10]. Furthermore, the prevalence of poor physical activity and obesity was high in Saudi Arabia which was 96.1% and 35.5% respectively[11, 12]. However, it is very limited information on obesity, physical activity and glycemic control in Saudi. Since, diabetes management includes not only pharmacotherapy but also modification of lifestyles, thus, this study is conducted to determine which factors, including obesity, level of physical activity, dietary intake and socio-demographic characteristics are associated with poor glycemic control among type two diabetic patients in the Almadinah Diabetic Centre. Study showed that the proportion of adult in the U.S. with adequately glycemic controlled decreased between 1988 and 2000 from 44.5% to 35.8%[9]. The predictors of Poor glycemic control can be determined to be age above 40 years old, poor diet, lack of participation in regular physical activities, oral treatment and combination therapies with oral and diet, low income, lack of knowledge and education on the issue, obesity and duration of diabetes

Outcome ventricular septal defect Closure using the Nit-O

Introduction: The main goal is to study outcome ventricular septal defect Closure using the Nit-Occlud Le VSD-Coil. Methodology: Following IRB approval from KAIMRC with number RC17/285/R, a retrospective chart review analysis were conducted of all pediatric patients with VSD who underwent transcatheter closure of VSD at King Abdul-Aziz Cardiac Center during the period from 2011till 2016. Demographic data, diagnosis, intraprocedure and post-procedure events were reviewed. Results: The patients referred for VSD interventional closure are 46 patients, 29 cases fulfill the criteria for VSD closure using Nit-Occlud Lê VSD-Coil, twenty-four patients of them had successful interventional closure of VSD with successful rate of 83% and 5 cases were referred to surgery due to device not fit or hemolysis. In this study, age group from 2 years up to 18 years. Ninety percent of VSD is the perimembranous (PM) type, 26 patients, and 3 patients (10%) with muscular VSD. From the 26 PM VSD cases 10 with TV accessory tissue partially covering the VSD defects. Immediate closure of the defect was achieved in 11/24 patients (45%); in five patients, there was tiny residual and 8 with small residual, at 6 months follow up only 6 patients with tiny residual VSD defect. Conclusion: The Nit-Occlud”-Lê VSD coil device with high safety level used for selected cases of VSDs. The device has minimal effects on the aortic and tricuspid valve, and there was no permanent AV block especially in patients with PM VSDs. Patients with a residual shunt should be followed, especially for the hemolysis

Adoption of on-farm feed safety practices among livestock farmers: Evidence from Saudi Arabia

Compliance with feed safety standards and practices on the farm promotes sustainable livestock production and can positively affect the environment and human health. This study aims to examine farmers' on-farm adoption of feed safety practices and determine the differences in adoption according to the socio-economic characteristics of farmers. An online survey was conducted to collect the study data. The study participants consisted of 442 livestock farmers in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia. The study findings revealed that farmers highly adopted categories of feed purchasing (77.9 %) and feed mixing and distribution (75.05 %), whereas they were considered as a moderate level adoption regarding feed storing (70.9 %). The cluster analysis results showed two main patterns of adoption— “high adopters” and “moderate adopters”—based on the average level of adoption for 25 feed safety practices examined. The cluster of “high adopters” accounted for 59.9 % of the sample and had higher average adoption in all practices examined. The findings revealed that there are significant differences between the two segments of farmers, corresponding to gender, membership in livestock association, extension contact, raising sheep, and feeding system. This study proposes the regular monitoring of farms to ensure strict adherence to feed safety regulations, with the implementation of awareness and capacity development initiatives pertaining to feed safety concerns

Palliative emergency stenting of the vertical vein in obstructive supracardiac pulmonary venous drainage prior to surgical repair

Obstructed “total anomalous pulmonary venous connection” mostly presents with respiratory distress secondary to pulmonary congestion. We report two very sick patients who were referred to our cardiac center for intervention to relieve vertical vein (VV) obstruction. Due to hemodynamic instability and associated morbidity, the decision in our combined meeting was to go for interventional cardiac catheterization. Keywords: Obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, Palliative stent, surgical repai

Level of anxiety among healthcare providers during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: cross-sectional study

Background: The burden of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted widely on the healthcare providers physically and mentally. Many healthcare providers are exposed to psychological stressors due to their high risk of contracting the virus. Aims: This study aimed to measure the level of anxiety among healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. In addition, this study aimed to measure the level of anxiety based on demographic characteristics. Method: A cross-sectional survey was employed to recruit a convenience sample of healthcare providers. A pencil and paper self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from demographic and generalized anxiety disorder GAD-7 data. However, this study received written informed consent from participants of the study. In addition, the study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group (IRB Log No. RC20.06.88-03). Results: A total of 650 participants were recruited, results of GAD-7 showed that 43.5%, 28.9% and 27.5% of healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia experienced mild, moderate and severe anxiety, respectively, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results indicated that age, health specialty, nationality, and sleeping disorders before COVID-19 were associated with anxiety levels. Conclusion: The generalized anxiety among healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia was mild. Older healthcare providers were found to have a higher level of anxiety compared to other participating healthcare providers. Several factors may contribute to a higher level of anxiety including age, socioeconomic status, marital status, having chronic conditions, and sleeping disorder before the COVID-19 pandemic. To further understand the level of anxiety among healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, longitudinal and mixed-method research is needed