COVID-19

Emotional Resilience and Bariatric Surgical Teams: a Priority in the Pandemic (2021)

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Type of publication:Conference abstract

Author(s):Graham Y.; Mahawar K.; Omar I.; *Riera M.; Bhasker A.; Wilson M.

Citation:British Journal of Surgery; Oct 2021; vol. 108, Supplement 7

Abstract:The infection control measures implemented as a result of COVID-19 led to a postponement of bariatric surgical procedures across many countries worldwide. Many bariatric surgical teams were in essence left without a profession, with many redeployed to other areas of clinical care and were not able to provide the levels of patient support given before COVID-19. As the pandemic continues, some restrictions have been lifted, with staff adjusting to new ways of working, incorporating challenging working conditions and dealing with continuing levels of stress. This article explores the concept of emotional labour, defined as 'inducing or suppressing feelings in order to perform one's work', and its application to multidisciplinary teams working within bariatric surgery, to offer insight into the mental health issues that may be affecting healthcare professionals working in this discipline.

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Cerebrospinal fluid leak following a COVID-19 nasopharyngeal swab (2021)

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Type of publication:Journal article

Author(s):*Hill, Thomas ; *Sivapatham, Stefan; *Metcalfe, Christopher; *Tzortzis, Sevina

Citation:British Journal of Hospital Medicine (17508460); Nov 2022; vol. 82 (no. 11); p. 398-400

Abstract:The article describes the case of an adult who developed cerebrospinal fluid leak after taking a COVID-19 nasopharyngeal swab.

Blood Cultures in Patients with Acute Covid-19 Pneumonitis: Contamination or Bacterial Co-Infection? (2021)

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Type of publication:Conference abstract

Author(s):*Nikhita Moudgil, *Afrah Riaz, *Annabel Makan *Emma-Jane Crawford, *Koottalai Srinivasan, *Nawaid Ahmad, *Harmesh Moudgil

Citation:Chest Infections, October 2021, Vol 160, Issue 4, Supplement, A546

Abstract:PURPOSE: INTRODUCTION: Research shows that 90% of blood cultures show no growth and a third of the remainder who test positive are identified as false positives [Garcia RA et al. Am J Infect Control 2015]. Although blood culture contamination rates of <1% are achievable, historical rates at <3% are industry accepted standards[Wayne PA. Clinical and laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document M47-A; 2007];contaminants from skin flora are the most common, but 20% are from microbes deep in the dermis layer which may be drawn into blood specimens. Evidence for early use of antibiotics managing patients with COVID19 pneumonitis is lacking but there are anecdotal concerns that more blood cultures than usual have identified organisms usually considered contaminants in sampling. Objectives were to quantify our local findings and relate these to outcome at discharge and during follow up.METHODS: Computer based retrospective review of 228 patients, mean age 71.8 (SD 8.7, range 29-87) years admitted at this hospital between March-May 2020 during the UK COVID-19 (SARS-Cov-2 RNA) peak and surge. Blood cultures reported here correspond to initial presentation with COVID-19 following a sepsis protocol. Comparative analysis by chi square (X2).RESULTS: 137/228 (60%) of patients had blood cultures at admission. 21/137 (15.3%) identified organisms from either one (n¼13) or both (n¼8) aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles. 12/21 (57.1%) (8 died) were identified as coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS), traditionally considered contaminants at sampling; others included coagulase positive staph aureus (2), Klebsiella (2), E coli (2), and one each for Diptheroids, Proteus Miribalis and Aerococcus Viridans. The remaining 116 reported no growth from initial samples but 3 had positive results later in the admission (2 with CoNS, 1 with E Coli). 7/21 (33.3%) of those with any growth had died during the admission and this was proportionately similar to the 38/116 (32.8%) with no growth on blood cultures [X2 0.0027, p=.9588, not significant]. At 6 month follow up however, 15/21 (71.4%) of those who had positive findings on original cultures had died compared with 48/116 (41.4%) that had shown no growth [X2 6.4639, p=.0110, statistically significant].CONCLUSIONS: Although death rates during admission did not differ, comparing those with and without positive findings on initial blood cultures, a large percentage with positive initial findings then died during follow up. Despite several organisms traditionally considered contaminants, the higher (15.3%) reporting and potential false positive rates requires further study; this should address sampling errors but also revisit bacterial co-infection in COVID-19.CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Improving sampling for blood cultures, but research is also needed to make sure this is not a signal for underlying bacterial co-infection

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Machine learning risk prediction of mortality for patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2: The COVIDSurg mortality score (2021)

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Type of publication:Journal article

Author(s):COVIDSurg Collaborative (includes Blair, J of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust)

Citation:British Journal of Surgery; 2021; vol. 19 (no. 4) p.1-19

Abstract:Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic tens of millions of operations have been cancelled as a result of excessive postoperative pulmonary complications (51.2 per cent) and mortality rates (23.8 per cent) in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. There is an urgent need to restart surgery safely in order to minimize the impact of untreated non-communicable disease. As rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in elective surgery patients range from 1–9 per cent, vaccination is expected to take years to implement globally9 and preoperative screening is likely to lead to increasing numbers of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection will remain a challenge for theforeseeable future. In order to inform consent and shared decision making, a robust, globally applicable score is needed to predict individualized mortality risk for patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. The authors aimed to develop and validate a machine learning-based risk score to predict postoperative mortality risk in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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Effect of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns on planned cancer surgery for 15 tumour types in 61 countries: an international, prospective, cohort study (2021)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
COVIDSurg Collaborative (includes *Blair J, *Lakhiani A, *Parry-Smith W, *Sahu B of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust)

Citation:
The Lancet Oncology;  November 2021, Volume 22, Issue 22, Pages 1507-1517

Abstract:
Background: Surgery is the main modality of cure for solid cancers and was prioritised to continue during COVID-19 outbreaks. This study aimed to identify immediate areas for system strengthening by comparing the delivery of elective cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic in periods of lockdown versus light restriction.
Methods; This international, prospective, cohort study enrolled 20 006 adult (≥18 years) patients from 466 hospitals in 61 countries with 15 cancer types, who had a decision for curative surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic and were followed up until the point of surgery or cessation of follow-up (Aug 31, 2020). Average national Oxford COVID-19 Stringency Index scores were calculated to define the government response to COVID-19 for each patient for the period they awaited surgery, and classified into light restrictions (index <20), moderate lockdowns (20–60), and full lockdowns (>60). The primary outcome was the non-operation rate (defined as the proportion of patients who did not undergo planned surgery). Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to explore the associations between lockdowns and non-operation. Intervals from diagnosis to surgery were compared across COVID-19 government response index groups. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04384926.
Findings; Of eligible patients awaiting surgery, 2003 (10·0%) of 20 006 did not receive surgery after a median follow-up of 23 weeks (IQR 16–30), all of whom had a COVID-19-related reason given for non-operation. Light restrictions were associated with a 0·6% non-operation rate (26 of 4521), moderate lockdowns with a 5·5% rate (201 of 3646; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·77–0·84; p<0·0001), and full lockdowns with a 15·0% rate (1775 of 11 827; HR 0·51, 0·50–0·53; p<0·0001). In sensitivity analyses, including adjustment for SARS-CoV-2 case notification rates, moderate lockdowns (HR 0·84, 95% CI 0·80–0·88; p<0·001), and full lockdowns (0·57, 0·54–0·60; p<0·001), remained independently associated with non-operation. Surgery beyond 12 weeks from diagnosis in patients without neoadjuvant therapy increased during lockdowns (374 [9·1%] of 4521 in light restrictions, 317 [10·4%] of 3646 in moderate lockdowns, 2001 [23·8%] of 11 827 in full lockdowns), although there were no differences in resectability rates observed with longer delays.
Interpretation: Cancer surgery systems worldwide were fragile to lockdowns, with one in seven patients who were in regions with full lockdowns not undergoing planned surgery and experiencing longer preoperative delays. Although short-term oncological outcomes were not compromised in those selected for surgery, delays and non-operations might lead to long-term reductions in survival. During current and future periods of societal restriction, the resilience of elective surgery systems requires strengthening, which might include protected elective surgical pathways and long-term investment in surge capacity for acute care during public health emergencies to protect elective staff and services.

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Predictors of in-hospital mortality in Covid-19: A study across two peripheral district general hospitals in UK (2021)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Samanta N.K.; Bandyopadhyay S.K.; *Herman D.; Chakraborty B.; *Marsh A.; *Kumaran S.; *Burnard L.; *Gnanaseelan G.; *Gibson S.; *Florence B.; Ganguly S.

Citation:
British Journal of Medical Practitioners; Jul 2021; vol. 14 (no. 1)

Abstract:
Aim-The mortality from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has remained a significant medical challenge. Internationally, patient demographics and pre-existing co-morbidities are significant determinants of mortality from COVID-19. The mortality-risk in a local population is difficult to determine. The objective of our study is to examine the risk posed by epidemiological and demographic variables, and co-morbidities in our local population. Method-A retrospective, observational study was conducted on confirmed COVID-19 patients, identified from the local microbiology database. A search of the electronic patient records was performed to collect demographic details and co-morbidities. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis of the demographic variables and co-morbidities were utilised to calculate the predictive-risk for in-hospital mortality of adult COVID-19 patients. Results-Final analysis included 263 samples. Univariate logistic regression analysis was performed using age as an independent categorical predictor with two cohorts – those <60 and those >=60 years old. Age (2=17.12, p<0.001) was found to be an independent predictor of mortality – this was independent of sex (2=1.784, p<0.182). Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score was found to be a significant predictor of adverse outcome. The odds of death for patients with CCI scores 0-4 was less than half (44.8%) of those with CCI scores >=5 (p=0.005). Patients with no pre-existing medical conditions had a lower mortality-risk (OR=0.181, p=0.022) than those with known medical conditions. Pre-existing renal disease predicted a poor outcome (OR=1.996, p=0.027). The odds of death for the patients coming from their own-home was only 26% of the odds for those from a long-term care-home. Long-term care facility, advanced age (OR=1.058, p <0.001), and long-term oral steroid (OR=3.412, p=0.016) use were all associated with a poor prognosis. Conclusion People aged >=60 years, residence in a long-term care-home, pre-existing renal diseases, a high CCI score and long-term oral steroids use were associated with an increased mortality-risk.

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Upgrading of hospital discharge summary software to optimise COVID-19 documentation and safeguard infection prevention in the community (2021)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Donati-Bourne J.; *Lo N.; *Selvan M.; *O'dair J.; Mohamed W.; Kasmani Z.

Citation:
British Journal of Medical Practitioners; Jul 2021; vol. 14 (no. 1)

Abstract:
Aims: Early review of 50 discharge summaries at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (SATH) in April 2020 revealed only 27% documented the patient's in-hospital COVID-19 test result and 2% outlined any recommended self isolation advice following hospital discharge. This had potential adverse implications for community infection control as well as medico-legal sequalae for the Trust were the discharged patient to spread COVID-19 to other cohabitants. The urology team worked with SATH IT to amend the existing discharge summary software, to add two tabs to make COVID-19 test result and self-isolation documentation mandatory for successful sign-off. The aim of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the impact of updating the discharge summary software on documentation accuracy related to COVID-19 on discharge paperwork.
Method(s): Following the implementation of the modified software, 50 consecutive discharge summaries for patients admitted under the urology team starting 1st October 2020 were retrospectively reviewed for documentation of COVID-19 result and self-isolation advice.
Result(s): 90% of discharge summaries included COVID-19 test result and 100% included self-isolation advice for the patient, or alternatively confirmed that no self-isolation was required.
Conclusion(s): This simple modification of an existing IT system greatly improved compliance with COVID-19 discharge summary documentation. We propose all hospitals consider adopting similar measures in the interest of infection prevention, public safety and potential medico-legal sequalae.

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COVID-19 disease and cardiac involvement-a local experience (2021)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Ahmed M.R.; *Islam S.; *Challinor E.; *Ingram T.; *Khan A.

Citation:
Heart; Jun 2021; vol. 107

Abstract:
Aims The aim of this review to assess cardiac involvement in patients with severe COVID-19 patients. We review all patients with COVID 19 disease admitted in our trust requiring transthoracic echocardiograms on their clinical indications. Background Cardiac involvement in COVID-19 disease has been found to be prognostic factor and has been related with higher mortality and morbidity. In a large series with COVID-19 those with heart disease had a fatality rate around 10.5%.1 2 Methods All adult patients who were COVID-19 positive on PCR admitted between March 2020 and February 2021, who had an echocardiogram, were identified through our local database. Their demographics, co-morbid, troponin levels and Pro NT-BNP were analysed. All echocardiograms reports which were finalised by the imaging cardiologist were included in our analysis. Results There were a total of 41 patients who had echocardiograms during their stay in the hospital with COVID-19 disease. Mean age was 70 (range 45-90) years old. There were 70% male and 30% female patients. 12% were diabetic, 49% hypertensive and 40% had previous heart disease. Pulmonary embolism diagnosed in 10% of patients by CT pulmonary angiogram. 56% of patients required high flow oxygen and 21% need mechanical ventilation. Almost all patients had troponin and CRP levels on admission. Mean troponin level 215 and mean CRP levels were 197. Mean D dimer levels 1130, and mean creatinine levels were 138. 92% had evidence of lung involvement in chest X-ray. 13% patients had new evidence of a diagnosis of left ventricular dysfunction on echocardiography. Similarly, 27% had a new diagnosis of right ventricular dysfunction. Mean left ventricular diastolic dimension were 4.6 cm and systolic dimension. 2% had echo diagnosis of left ventricular thrombus echocardiographic studies. Mean PA pressure on echocardiography were 35 mmHg and mean E/A ratio was 1.2. 17% of patients were found to have pericardial effusion but none causing haemodynamic compromise. Conclusion This data suggests high incidence of right and left ventricular involvement in patients with severe COVID-19 disease. We recommend that all patients with COVID-19 disease admitted to hospital and requiring oxygen should have transthoracic echocardiograms during their admission.

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Emergency management of neck stoma patients during the coronavirus pandemic: a national nurse survey (2021)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Senior A.; *Chan J.; Brookes K.; *Jolly K.; *Darr A.; *Ameen R.

Citation:
British Journal of Nursing; Jun 2021; vol. 30 (no. 12); p. 742-746

Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Neck stoma patient care involves significant clinical complexity. Inadequate staff training, equipment provision and infrastructure have all been highlighted as causes for avoidable patient harm.
AIMS: To establish the perception of knowledge and confidence levels relating to the emergency management of neck stomas among UK nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHOD(S): A nationwide prospective electronic survey of both primary and secondary care nurses via the Royal College of Nursing and social media. FINDINGS: 402 responses were collated: 81 primary care and 321 secondary care; the majority (n=130) were band 5. Forty-nine per cent could differentiate between a laryngectomy and a tracheostomy; ENT nurses scored highest (1.56; range 0-2) on knowledge. Fifty-seven per cent could oxygenate a tracheostomy stoma correctly and 54% could oxygenate a laryngectomy stoma correctly. Sixty-five per cent cited inadequate neck stoma training and 91% felt inclusion of neck stoma training was essential within the nursing curriculum.
CONCLUSION(S): Clinical deficiencies of management identified by nurses can be attributed to a lack of confidence secondary to reduced clinical exposure and education.

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