Search Results (7)

Background: In 2020, healthcare providers were expected to provide care to individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), putting them at risk of acquiring COVID-19. The possibility of acquiring poorly understood infectious diseases while providing care may have an impact on the mental health of providers. We conducted a study to explore the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of healthcare providers. Methods: Between April and August 2021, we conducted in-depth interviews with 60 healthcare providers in the infectious disease unit (IDU) and other units of the hospital (non-IDU). The healthcare providers completed an online self-administered survey form with demographic data (age, sex, average income, and known contact with a COVID-19 patient). We used semi-structured interview guides to understand the healthcare providers’ lived experiences of stress, anxiety, depression, and their associated factors. We transcribed the interviews verbatim and coded and analyzed the transcripts to derive thematic concepts related to mental health experiences. Results: The healthcare providers had a median age of 37 years [IQR 20.0–58.0], and 56.7% were female, 30.0% nurses, 18.3% medical doctors, and 11.7% laboratory technologists. The healthcare providers reported increased stress during the pandemic, attributed to the high demand for patient care, changes in social life, and fear of COVID-19 infection. They also reported experiences of anxiety and depression as a result of limited knowledge at the beginning of the pandemic and the perception that “COVID-19 resulted in death”. Testing positive for COVID-19, high exposure to COVID-19 risks, and the death of patients and colleagues reportedly affected the healthcare providers’ mental health. Additionally, the healthcare providers reported mental health support through debriefing meetings, peer-to-peer support, and psychological counseling, with privacy and confidentiality concerns. Conclusions: Healthcare providers faced mental health issues such as stress and anxiety while taking care of COVID-19 patients. An effective mental health response requires institutional practices that address context-specific challenges such as privacy and confidentiality. Full article

Vein blood sampling is a method of mass blood sampling that involves drawing blood from a vein for blood type discrimination, confirmation of various physiological indicators, disease diagnosis, etc.; it is the most commonly used blood sampling method. An important aspect of vein blood sampling is the search for the exact location of the vein for insertion of the syringe to draw blood. This is influenced by obesity as well as skin and blood vessel conditions in the patient and the experience of the clinical technologist, nurse, and resident who performs the blood sampling. Frequent practice is required to effectively perform blood sampling techniques. However, due to the many limitations of the practice room or laboratory, there is a problem of using only a limited environment and model for clinical practice. As a result, many medical educational institutions have situations in which only fragmentary clinical practices are performed, and it is difficult to practice many blood sampling skills, so they do not provide enough experience to understand the actual skill field. In this paper, we propose a virtual-reality-based vein blood sampling simulator that allows the practice of blood sampling techniques without limitation. The proposed vein blood sampling simulator can operate a 3D model related to vein blood sampling using an HMD controller and a haptic device in a virtual space for vein blood sampling practice by wearing an HMD (head-mounted display). Vein blood sampling can also be practiced through interaction with the patient 3D model. In addition, the effectiveness of a simulator developed for dental students was verified, and as a result of the verification, the potential of the proposed vein blood sampling simulator was confirmed. Full article

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role of medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) in the healthcare system. Little is known about the challenges MLTs faced in keeping up with the unprecedented demands posed by the pandemic, which contributed to the notable staff shortage in the profession. This study aims to identify and understand the stressors of MLTs in Canada and the lessons learned through their lived experiences during the pandemic. (2) Methods: In this descriptive qualitative study, we conducted five semi-structured focus groups with MLTs working during the pandemic. The focus group sessions were audio-recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to inductively code data and identify themes. (3) Results: A total of 27 MLTs across Canada participated in the study. Findings highlighted four key themes: (i) unexpected challenges navigating through the uncertainties of an ever-evolving pandemic; (ii) implications of staff shortage for the well-being of MLTs and quality of patient care; (iii) revealing the realities of the hidden, yet indispensable role of MLTs in predominantly non-patient-facing roles; and (iv) leveraging insights from the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance healthcare practices and preparedness. (4) Conclusion: The study provides in-depth insight into the experiences of MLTs across Canada during the pandemic. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations to enhance the sustainability of the laboratory workforce and ensure preparedness and resiliency among MLTs for future public health emergencies, as well as considerations as to combating the critical staff shortage. Full article

COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), placed health systems worldwide under immense pressure, and healthcare workers (HCWs) were at the front lines. The Puerto Rico Department of Health confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in March 2020. We aimed to assess whether COVID-19 preventive measures implemented by HCWs were effective in a work scenario before vaccine availability. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from July to December 2020 to evaluate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene guidelines, and other measures taken by HCWs to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. We collected nasopharyngeal specimens for molecular testing at the beginning of the study and follow-up. We recruited 62 participants aged 30–59 (79% women). Participants recruited from hospitals, clinical laboratories, and private practice included medical technologists (33%), nurses (28%), respiratory therapists (2%), physicians (11%), and others (26%). Among our participants, nurses were at higher risk (p < 0.05) of infection. We identified that 87% of participants followed the hygiene recommendation guidelines. In addition, all participants practiced handwashing or disinfection before or after caring for each patient. All participants tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 during the study period. On follow-up, all study participants reported being vaccinated against COVID-19. The implementation of PPE and hygiene measures showed high efficacy as a prevention method against SARS-CoV-2 infection when vaccines and treatment were not widely available in Puerto Rico. Full article

Job satisfaction has been widely studied across several healthcare disciplines and is correlated with important outcomes such as job performance and employee mental health. However, there is limited research on job satisfaction among medical laboratory professionals (MLPs), a key healthcare group that aids in diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. The objective of this study is to examine the demographic and psychosocial factors associated with job satisfaction for MLPs in Ontario, Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey was administered to medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) and medical laboratory technicians/assistants (MLT/As) in Ontario, Canada. The survey included demographic questions and items from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, third edition. Binary logistic regressions were used to examine the association between job satisfaction and demographic variables and psychosocial work factors. There were 688 MLPs included in the analytic sample (72.12% response rate). Having a higher sense of community at work was correlated with higher job satisfaction in both MLT (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.07–4.77) and MLT/A (OR = 3.85, 95% CI: 1.12–14.06). In addition, having higher stress was correlated with lower job satisfaction in both MLT (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.18–0.57) and MLT/A (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.10–0.66). This study provides preliminary evidence on factors associated with job satisfaction in MLT and MLT/A. The findings can be used to support organizational practices and policies to improve psychosocial work factors. Full article

The most robust and economical method for laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) is to identify mycobacteria acid-fast bacilli (AFB) under acid-fast staining, despite its disadvantages of low sensitivity and labor intensity. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been used in TB-smear microscopy to assist medical technologists with routine AFB smear microscopy. In this study, we evaluated the performance of a TB automated system consisting of a microscopic scanner and recognition program powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning. This AI-based system can detect AFB and classify the level from 0 to 4+. A total of 5930 smears were evaluated on the performance of this automatic system in identifying AFB in daily lab practice. At the first stage, 120 images were analyzed per smear, and the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 91.3%, 60.0%, and 95.7%, respectively. In the second stage, 200 images were analyzed per smear, and the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were increased to 93.7%, 77.4%, and 96.6%. After removing disqualifying smears caused by poor staining quality and smear preparation, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were improved to 95.2%, 85.7%, and 96.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the automated system recovered 85 positive smears initially identified as negative by manual screening. Our results suggested that the automated TB system could achieve higher sensitivity and laboratory efficiency than manual microscopy under the quality control of smear preparation. Automated TB smear screening systems can serve as a screening tool at the first screen before manual microcopy. Full article

A point-of-care diagnostic for early and rapid diagnosis of scrub typhus caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi is required for prompt and proper treatment of patients presenting with undifferentiated febrile illnesses. In this study, an immunochromatographic antigen detection test kit (ICT AgTK) that targets the highly conserved O. tsutsugamushi 60 kDa GroEL chaperonin (heat shock protein 60) was developed. E. coli-derived recombinant GroEL expressed from DNA coding for the consensus sequence of 32 GroEL gene sequences extracted from the GenBank database was used to immunize rabbits and mice. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies (pAb) were used for preparing a gold-pAb conjugate, and the rGroEL-specific mouse monoclonal antibody was used as the antigen detection reagent at the ICT test line. In-house validation revealed that the ICT AgTK gave 85, 100 and 95% diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, respectively, compared to the combined clinical features and standard IFA when tested on 40 frozen serum samples. The test kits correctly identified 10 scrub typhus samples out of 15 fresh plasma/buffy coat samples of patients with febrile illnesses. For independent laboratory validation, the ICT AgTK was sent to one provincial hospital. The ICT AgTK utilized by the hospital medical technologist correctly identified six scrub typhus samples out of 20 serum samples of patients with fever, as confirmed by specific IgM/IgG detection by IFA. The ICT AgTK is easy to perform with rapid turn-around time. It has the potential to be used as an important tool for on-site and early scrub typhus diagnosis by allowing testing of freshly collected samples (serum, plasma or buffy coat), especially in resource-limited healthcare settings. Full article