Evidence for the value of health promotion interventions in natural disaster management.

A rapid review of literature was conducted to identify effective health promotion (HP) intervention strategies that relate to the management of disasters from natural hazards, including prevention, preparedness, response and recovery measures. Searches were conducted in formal literature from 2000 to 2011 and then updated to 2013. Out of 719 relevant abstracts, 57 studies were selected for more detailed review. In total, 16 studies were annotated for the narrative synthesis; these articles all reported an outcome-oriented evaluation of an HP-related intervention in a natural disaster situation in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) or vulnerable populations in high-income countries (HIC). These 16 studies were also assessed for quality of their evaluation design. Although it was not possible to select only strong study designs, LMIC weak designs were matched with stronger designs in HIC most of the time. A narrative synthesis was conducted to report the results. In the preparedness and mitigation stages, there were six articles referring to four HP strategies. In the response and recovery phases, there were 10 articles referring to an additional four HP strategies. HP plays a role in regaining a sense of control after disaster through: engaging victims of disaster in group decisions (including children), collaboration and networking, recognition of local strengths and assets, conducting community needs assessments, respecting local knowledge, training local resources as part of an ongoing system and use of pre-existing community focal points or organizations as trusted locations for community services and reconnections.

Challenges in listeriosis cluster and outbreak investigations, Province of Quebec, 1997-2011.

OBJECTIVES: Public health authorities place a high priority on investigating listeriosis outbreaks, and these epidemiological investigations remain challenging. Some approaches have been described in the literature to address these challenges. This review of listeriosis clusters and outbreaks investigated in the Province of Quebec (Quebec) highlights investigative approaches that contributed to identifying the source of these outbreaks. MATERIALS: The Laboratoire de Santé Publique du Québec (LSPQ) implemented pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) molecular subtyping in 1997 to identify Listeria monocytogenes clusters among isolates from invasive listeriosis cases identified throughout Quebec. A cluster was defined as three cases or more with the same or similar PFGE profiles (≤3 band difference) occurring over a 4-month period. An investigation was initiated if the epidemiologic indicators suggested a common source. Listeriosis data from LSPQ's database were reviewed to identify and describe clusters detected from 1997 to 2011, including those that led to an outbreak investigation. Epidemiological reports prepared following each outbreak were also reviewed. RESULTS: Eleven clusters were identified in the province by LSPQ between 1997 and 2011. Outbreak investigations were initiated for six clusters, four of which involved more than 10 cases. Factors that contributed to identifying the source for three of these outbreaks highlighted the value of (1) making all stakeholders (food safety and inspection services, public health authorities, and laboratories) aware of any ongoing investigation and sharing relevant information even if the source is not yet identified; (2) promptly collecting food samples identified and considered as possible vehicles of infection identified during the interview of a Listeria case; (3) collecting food items and/or environmental samples in locations reported in common by cases in the same cluster. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple approaches should be considered when investigating L. monocytogenes clusters. Networks to facilitate continuous exchange of human and food data between public health and food safety partners should be encouraged.

Who is the real team leader? Comparing leadership performance of the team leader and CPR Coach during simulated cardiac arrest.

Purpose: To describe the leadership performance of team leaders and CPR Coaches, and to determine if there is a correlation between leadership scores and CPR performance during management of simulated pediatric cardiac arrest events. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data from a prior randomized controlled trial. We observed the performance of both team leaders and CPR coaches during the management of an 18-minute simulated cardiac arrest scenario which was run for 20 resuscitation teams comprised of CPR-certified professionals from four pediatric tertiary care centers. CPR Coaches were responsible for providing real-time verbal feedback of CPR performance to compressors. Two raters were trained to use the Behavioral Assessment Tool (BAT) to assess leadership performance of the team leader and CPR Coach. BAT scores of team leaders and CPR coaches were compared and linked with objective CPR performance. Results: There was no significant difference between the BAT scores of team leaders and CPR coaches (median score 27/40 vs 28.8/40, p = 0.16). Higher BAT scores of team leaders were significantly associated with higher percentage of excellent CPR (r = 0.52, p = 0.02), while higher BAT scores of CPR coaches were significantly associated with higher chest compression fraction (r = 0.48, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Both team leaders and CPR coaches have similarly high leadership performance during the management of simulated cardiac arrest. Leadership behaviors were associated with quality of CPR performance.Clinical Trial Registration: Registration ID: NCT02539238; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Quantifying Simulated Contamination Deposition on Healthcare Providers Using Image Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Simulation-based research has played an important role in improving care for communicable diseases. Unfortunately, few studies have attempted to quantify the level of contamination in these simulation activities. We aim to assess the feasibility and provide validity evidence for using integrated density values and area of contamination (AOC) to differentiate various levels of simulated contamination. METHODS: An increasing number of simulated contamination spots using fluorescent marker were applied on a manikin chest to simulate a contaminated healthcare provider. An ultraviolet light was used to illuminate the manikin to highlight the simulated contamination. Images of increasing contamination levels were captured using a camera with different exposure settings. Image processing software was used to measure 2 outcomes: (1) natural logarithm of integrated density; and (2) AOC. Mixed-effects linear regression models were used to assess the effect of contamination levels and exposure settings on both outcome measures. A standardized "proof-of-concept" exercise was set up to calibrate and formalize the process for human subjects. RESULTS: A total of 140 images were included in the analyses. Dose-response relationships were observed between contamination levels and both outcome measures. For each increment in the number of contaminated simulation spots (ie, simulated contaminated area increased by 38.5 mm 2 ), on average, log-integrated density increased by 0.009 (95% confidence interval, 0.006-0.012; P < 0.001) and measured AOC increased by 37.8 mm 2 (95% confidence interval, 36.7-38.8 mm 2 ; P < 0.001), which is very close to actual value (38.5 mm 2 ). The "proof-of-concept" demonstration further verified results. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated density and AOC measured by image processing can differentiate various levels of simulated, fluorescent contamination. The AOC measured highly agrees with the actual value. This method should be optimized and used in the future research to detect simulated contamination deposited on healthcare providers.

Antimicrobial susceptibilities of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Canada, 2021.

Background: In Canada, gonorrhea is the second most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection. The Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (GASP - Canada), a passive surveillance system monitoring antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Canada since 1985, is the source for this summary of demographics, antimicrobial resistance and N. gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) of gonococcal isolates collected in Canada in 2021. Methods: Provincial and territorial public health laboratories submitted N. gonorrhoeae cultures and data to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg as part of the surveillance system. The antimicrobial resistance and molecular type of each isolate received were determined. Results: In total, 3,439 N. gonorrhoeae cultures were received from laboratories across Canada in 2021, a 9.9% increase since 2020 (n=3,130). Decreased susceptibility to cefixime increased significantly (p<0.001) in 2021 (1.5%) compared to 2017 (0.6%). No significant change in decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone was detected between 2017 and 2021 (0.6%) (p>0.001); however, one ceftriaxone-resistant isolate was identified. Azithromycin resistance decreased significantly (p<0.001) in 2021 (7.6%) compared to 2017 (11.7%); however, there was a significant increase (p<0.001) in the proportion of cultures with an azithromycin minimum inhibitory concentration of at least 1 mg/L (2017=22.2% to 2021=28.1%). In 2021, NG-MAST-19875 (15.3%) was the most prevalent sequence type in Canada; 20.3% of isolates with this sequence type were resistant to azithromycin. Conclusion: The spread of antimicrobial-resistant gonorrhea is a significant public health concern. The continued regional and national surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae is essential in ensuring effective treatment therapies are recommended.

Antimicrobial susceptibilities of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Canada, 2020.

Background: The Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme is a passive surveillance system that has monitored antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Canada since the 1980s. This article summarizes the demographics, antimicrobial resistances and NG-MAST (N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing) for cultures collected in 2020. Methods: The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg received resistant N. gonorrhoeae cultures from provincial and territorial public health laboratories. Agar dilution was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations to ten antimicrobials for all cultures received at NML, according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The NG-MAST typing was also determined for each culture. Results: A total of 3,130 N. gonorrhoeae cases were cultured across Canada in 2020; a 36% decrease from 2019 (n=4,859). The level of decreased susceptibility to cefixime increased significantly between 2016 and 2020 to 2.8% (p=0.0054). Decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone declined significantly between 2016 (1.8%) and 2020 to 0.9% (p=0.001), and there was no significant change with azithromycin between 2016 (7.2%) and 2020 (6.1%). The proportion of cultures with an azithromycin minimum inhibitory concentrations of ≥1 mg/L increased significantly from 11.6% in 2016 to 15.3% in 2020 (p=0.0017). The most common NG-MAST type in Canada for 2020 was sequence type (ST)-11461, while ST-12302 was most commonly associated with azithromycin resistance and ST-16639 with cephalosporin decreased susceptibility. Conclusion: Antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae remains an important public health concern and continued surveillance is imperative to monitor trends to ensure the recommended therapies will be the most effective.

Cycling efficiency is not compromised for moderate exercise in moderately severe COPD.

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Hyperpnea and hyperinflation have been proposed as contributors to exaggerated energy demands in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), yet there are incomplete data on exercise requirements. This study compared total-body energy demands of the internal (unloaded) and external work of cycling and delta mechanical efficiency in 40 patients (FEV1: 36+/-14% predicted) with COPD and 28 healthy age-matched controls while characterizing dynamic hyperinflation. METHODS: Steady-state V O2 was obtained at rest, during unloaded and 20-W cycling, and at 20, 50, and 65% peak cycling power. Delta mechanical efficiency was calculated between constant-load cycling at 65 and 20% peak power. Dynamic hyperinflation was assessed from inspiratory capacity maneuvers. RESULTS: Oxygen demands (L.min) at rest, for internal work (0.47+/-0.14 vs 0.45+/-0.11) or external work at 20 W (0.62+/-0.20 vs 0.57+/-0.13), were not different between patients and controls, although ventilation was elevated in COPD. Cycling at 65% of peak power induced dynamic hyperinflation in COPD, which indices were not related to cycling efficiency. Delta efficiency (%) was not different between patients (26.3+/-8.1) and controls (24.8+/-4.0). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that bioenergetics of submaximal cycling is not compromised in moderately severe COPD despite tachypnea and dynamic hyperinflation.

Summary of 11 years of enteric outbreak investigations and criteria to initiate an investigation, Province of Quebec, 2002 through 2012.

This article presents a retrospective analysis of enteric disease outbreak investigations led by or conducted in collaboration with provincial health authorities in the Province of Quebec from 2002 through 2012. Objectives were to characterize enteric disease outbreaks, quantify and describe those for which a source was identified (including the control measures implemented), identify factors that contributed to or impeded identification of the source, and recommend areas for improvement in outbreak investigations (including establishment of criteria to initiate investigations). A descriptive analysis of enteric disease outbreak summaries recorded in a provincial database since 2002 was conducted, and corresponding outbreak reports were reviewed. Among 61 enteric disease outbreaks investigated, primary pathogens involved were Salmonella (46%), Escherichia coli O157:H7 (25%), and Listeria monocytogenes (13%). Sources were identified for 37 (61%) of 61 of the outbreaks, and descriptive studies were sufficient to identify the source for 26 (70%) of these. During the descriptive phase of the investigation, the causes of 21 (81%) of 26 outbreaks were identified by promptly collecting samples of suspected foods based on case interviews. Causes of outbreaks were more likely to be detected by weekly surveillance or alert systems (odds ratio = 6.0, P = 0.04) than by serotyping or molecular typing surveillance and were more likely to be associated with a common event or location (odds ratio = 11.0, P = 0.023). Among the 37 outbreaks for which causes were identified, 24 (65%) were associated with contaminated food, and recalls were the primary control measure implemented (54%). Review of enteric outbreaks investigated at the provincial level in Québec has increased the province's ability to quantify success and identify factors that can promote success. Multiple criteria should be taken into account to identify case clusters that are more likely to be resolved.