Impact of COVID-19 on Workload and Workflow in Echocardiography Unit in a Tertiary Care University Hospital: A Monocentric Observational Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a new unexpected worldwide condition with a heavy burden on health-care institutions and health-care workers. Objective: We sought to examine the impact of COVID-19 on workload and workflow in the echocardiography unit in a tertiary care university hospital. Methods: We conducted a monocentric observational study, evaluating workload and workflow during the COVID-19 year relative to the previous year. Results: The findings show a substantial reduction in workload (55.20%) along with significant changes in workflow in the echocardiography unit during the pandemic. Changes in workflow involved measures implemented for protection, changes in echo indications which became more selective, changes in echo pattern, reduction in human flow in echocardiography laboratory, delays in reporting and archiving, and changes in training and teaching. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on the echocardiography unit, with a significant reduction in workload and considerable changes in workflow. In the future, it is essential to be better prepared as individuals, health-care workers, health-care institutions, and the general community, to deal better with any potential "invisible enemy."

Survival Outcome of Empirical Antifungal Therapy and the Value of Early Initiation: A Review of the Last Decade.

AIM: This rapid systematic review aimed to collect the evidence published over the last decade on the effect of empirical antifungal therapy and its early initiation on survival rates. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, Medline, Scopus, and Embase, in addition to a hand search and experts' suggestions. RESULTS: Fourteen cohort studies and two randomized clinical trials reporting the survival outcome of empirical antifungal therapy were included in this review. Two studies reported the association between early empirical antifungal therapy (EAFT) and survival rates in a hematological cancer setting, and fourteen studies reported the outcome in patients in intensive care units (ICU). Six studies reported that appropriate EAFT decreases hospital mortality significantly; ten studies could not demonstrate a statistically significant association with mortality rates. DISCUSSION: The inconsistency of the results in the literature can be attributed to the studies' small sample size and their heterogeneity. Many patients who may potentially benefit from such strategies were excluded from these studies. CONCLUSION: While EAFT is practiced in many settings, current evidence is conflicting, and high-quality studies are needed to demonstrate the true value of this approach. Meanwhile, insights from experts in the field can help guide clinicians to initiate EAFT when indicated.

Predictors of Undiagnosed and Uncontrolled Hypertension in the Local Community of Byblos, Lebanon.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) in a local community in Lebanon. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we interviewed 911 adults in the local community of Byblos, Lebanon, and 691 were enrolled in the study. Blood pressure (BP), height, and weight were measured. The diagnosis of HTN was based on the 2013 European Society of Hypertension (ESH)/ European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines (systolic BP ⩾140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ⩾90 mm Hg). The data collected were analyzed using "Statistical Package for the Social Sciences" software (SPSS). RESULTS: A total of 260 participants were found to be hypertensive, either previously diagnosed or undiagnosed, yielding an overall prevalence of HTN of 37.62%. Of these participants, 149 (57.31%) were previously diagnosed and had controlled BP, and 111 (42.69%) had undiagnosed or uncontrolled HTN. Of these 111 participants, 44 had undiagnosed HTN and 67 were previously documented as hypertensive but had uncontrolled BP. Younger age and the absence of associated cardiovascular comorbidities were found to be associated with undiagnosed HTN, whereas high body mass index, smoking, and nonadherence to therapy were found to be associated with uncontrolled HTN. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: This study revealed a relatively high prevalence of HTN in the studied population, along with a high prevalence of undiagnosed and uncontrolled HTN. These findings emphasize the need for wider and more efficient screening strategies to better diagnose and control HTN in the general population.