Qualitative Research: Institutional Preparedness During Threats of Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Abstract

Background. As demonstrated during the global Ebola crisis of 2014-2016, healthcare institutions in high resource settings need support concerning preparedness during threats of infectious disease outbreaks. is study aimed to exploratively develop a standardized preparedness system to use during unfolding threats of severe infectious diseases. Methods. A qualitative three-step study among infectious disease prevention and control experts was performed. First, interviews (푛 = 5) were conducted to identify which factors trigger preparedness activities during an unfolding threat. Second, these triggers informed the design of a phased preparedness system which was tested in a focus group discussion (푛 = 11). Here preparedness activities per phase and per healthcare institution were identified. ird, the preparedness system was completed and verified in individual interviews (푛 = 3). Interviews and the focus group were recorded, transcribed, and coded for emerging themes by two researchers independently. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results. Four preparedness phases were identified: preparedness phase green is a situation without the presence of the infectious disease threat that requires centralized care, anywhere in the world. Phase yellow is an outbreak in the world with some likelihood of imported cases. Phase orange is a realistic chance of an unexpected case within the country, or unrest developing among population or staff; phase red is cases admitted to hospitals in the country, potentially causing a shortage of resources. Specific preparedness activities included infection prevention, diagnostics, patient care, staff, and communication. Consensus was reached on the need for the development of a preparedness system and national coordination during threats. Conclusions. In this study, we developed a standardized system to support institutional preparedness during an increasing threat. Use of this system by both curative healthcare institutions and the (municipal) public health service, could help to effectively communicate and align preparedness activities during future threats of severe infectious diseases.

Impact of viral epidemic outbreaks on mental health of healthcare workers: a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Lack of specialized training was associated with anxiety, PTSD ( Tang et al 2017 ), and burnout ( Maunder et al 2004 ), and higher perception of threat and risk was associated with depression ( Liu et al 2012 ), anxiety ( Alsubaie et al 2019 ), and PTSD ( Ho et al 2005 , Maunder et al 2004 , Styra et al 2008 , Wu et al 2009 ). Long-term institutional preparedness is possible for both factors, through the development and implementation of specialized training that includes infection prevention, diagnostics, patient care, staff, and communication ( de Rooij et al 2020 ).…”

“…Robust trials are however much more needed to identify effective interventions to reduce mental health problems in HCWs. Intervention studies should adhere to international reporting standards such as CONSORT ( de Rooij et al 2020 ) and TIDieR ( Hoffmann et al 2014 ).…”

Preparedness of Our Emergency Department During the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak from the Nurses’ Perspectives: A Qualitative Research Study

“…Emergency preparedness is key when responding to any health crisis, and it refers to the knowledge and capacity to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from the impacts of a likely or current crisis. 28 , 29 Recently, increasing attention has been paid to emergency preparedness because unanticipated disasters are increasing in frequency. The spate of declarations and agreements made by the global community underlines the need for all countries to be prepared to meet emerging threats to public health.…”

“…Moreover, a standardized system aiming to support institutional preparedness could also help to effectively communicate and align preparedness activities during a pandemic. 28 …”

Impact of viral epidemic outbreaks on mental health of healthcare workers: a rapid systematic review

“…Long-term institutional preparedness is possible for both factors, through the development and implementation of specialized training that includes infection prevention, diagnostics, patient care, staff, and communication. 85 Continuous communication between HCWs and managers, including the provision of up-todate facts about the progression of the outbreak, can convey institutional support, 59 and promote the acquisition of knowledge and confidence for those HCWs who have less job experience. 75 Likewise, managers are essential to mitigate feelings of social isolation 50 63 and stigmatization, 44 especially among those HCWs who have to be quarantined.…”