Preparing for the next pandemic: reserve laboratory staff are crucial

Skittrall, Jordan P.; Bentley, Neil; Wreghitt, Tim; Silverston, Paul; Yang, Haipeng; Aliyu, Sani H; Smielewska, Anna

doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-072467

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…However, a systematic approach with adequate training and adaptation is critical to ensure safe healthcare processes [ 30 ] and continuity of care, and should not be abandoned, especially in critical situations. In the future, efforts can be made to create reserve staff [ 31 ] that can serve as a buffer to prevent understaffing, which presents significant challenges even under normal circumstances [ 32 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic has also challenged established human resources management routines in the labour market overall [ 33 ], while the negative effects of the pandemic, including exhaustion, stress, depression, and burnout, have been more pronounced among healthcare workers [ 34 , 35 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hospital-Level COVID-19 Preparedness and Crisis Management in Czechia

Michenka,

Marx

2023

Int J Public Health

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Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the inadequacy of pandemic preparedness mechanisms worldwide. This study gathered comprehensive data from Czech hospitals, identified possible weaknesses in important areas of crisis preparedness, and quantified changes performed to enhance crisis resilience of healthcare facilities.Methods: Drawing on literature review on pandemic preparedness and hospital crisis management and detailed interviews with hospital representatives, a questionnaire was designed and distributed by email among quality managers of all Czech hospitals. Statistical analysis of their responses was conducted using EZR software. Fisher’s exact test and Kruskal-Wallis test, with post hoc testing, were used to assess statistical significance.Results: Achieving response rate of 31.9%, responses from 65 hospitals were analysed. New crisis management policies were necessary in 72.3% of responding hospitals. Furthermore, a majority of the respondents changes indicated the need for changes in policies on general pandemic, human resources and infrastructure and material preparedness.Conclusion: The COVID-19 crisis required significant alterations to previously established hospital crisis management protocols and establishment of new ones. The absence of a unified system for crisis preparedness was noted at hospital and national levels.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hospital-Level COVID-19 Preparedness and Crisis Management in Czechia

Michenka,

Marx

2023

Int J Public Health

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“…A shortage of skilled staff was also an obstacle in scaling up laboratory testing during the covid pandemic and continues to be a key weakness in the UK's ongoing pandemic preparedness (doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-072467). 12 And where are the UK's plans for dealing with covid this winter? Cases are once again on the rise, but the NHS plans barely mention covid, unlike our European neighbours, who-say Martin McKee and Samantha Field-have "comprehensive and forward thinking" plans in place (doi:10.1136/bmj.o2331).…”

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confidence: 99%