Sense of security during COVID-19 isolation improved with better health literacy - A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess sense of security, health literacy, and the association between sense of security and health literacy during COVID-19 self-isolation. METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey all adults who caught COVID-19 from the onset of the pandemic until June 2020 in Iceland and received surveillance from a special COVID-19 outpatient clinic, were eligible. Participants retrospectively answered the Sense of Security in Care - Patients' Evaluation and the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire. Data were analysed with parametric and non-parametric tests. RESULTS: Participants' (N = 937, 57% female, median age 49 (IQR=23)) sense of security during isolation was Med 5.5 (IQR=1) and 90% had sufficient health literacy. The proposed regression model (R2 =.132) indicated that those with sufficient health literacy had, on average, higher sense of security than those with inadequate health literacy. CONCLUSION: Sense of security was high among individuals who received surveillance from an outpatient clinic during isolation and was associated with health literacy. The high health literacy rate may be an indication of a high COVID-19 specific health literacy rather than general health literacy. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals can improve the sense of security of patients through measures to improve their health literacy, including their navigation health literacy, by practising good communication, and providing effective patient education.

Confronting the unknown-Nursing surveillance of COVID-19-infected patients through remote telephone calls and in an on-site urgent clinic.

AIM: To describe nursing surveillance of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-infected patients through remote telephone calls and in an on-site urgent clinic during the first wave of the pandemic as experienced by nurses providing the care. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study. METHODS: Data were collected through seven semi-structured, audio-recorded, focus group interviews with 24 nurses. Interviews were conducted in May and June 2020, transcribed and analysed using deductive and inductive content analysis into an overarching category, main categories and subcategories. Reporting followed the COREQ guidelines. RESULTS: Nurses relied on intensive listening when assessing and caring for COVID-19-infected patients. They realized that the patients had complex needs for nursing and healthcare which was beyond the scope of a tentatively prescribed assessment scheme. They designed their care to ensure holistic care, reflected in the overarching category, 'Confronting an unfamiliar health condition in unprecedented circumstances' and the categories: 'Digging into the unknown' and 'Ensuring holistic nursing care'. The category 'Contributing to averting catastrophe' reflects the wealth of knowledge, support and experience that the nurses used to independently deliver care, albeit in interdisciplinary collaboration, working to their greatest potential. They were proud of the significance of their work. CONCLUSION: Novel nursing surveillance through remote telephone calls and in an on-site urgent care clinic delivered to COVID-19 patients self-managing at home resulted in holistic nursing care during the first wave of the pandemic. This has relevance for professionalism in nursing. IMPACT: Findings give a unique insight into nursing surveillance of COVID-19-infected patients provided through telephone calls and in on-site urgent care clinics. The potential of intensive listening as conducted in the study suggests that it may be feasible to assess and holistically take care of COVID-19-infected patients, and other patient groups as well, with this form of healthcare. This has relevance for healthcare beyond crisis management during pandemics. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There was no patient or public contribution as the study only concerned the providers of the service, i.e. the nurses themselves.

"There was no panic"-Nurse managers' organising work for COVID-19 patients in an outpatient clinic: A qualitative study.

AIM: To provide insight into the contribution of nursing to the establishment and running of a hospital-based outpatient clinic for COVID-19 infected patients, and thereby to inform the development of similar nursing care and healthcare more generally. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study centred on collaboration between nurse managers and researchers. METHODS: Drawing on Donabedian's model of quality health services and the work of Allen on "Nurses' organising work", data were collected using four semi-structured, audio-recorded, focus group interviews with five nurse managers. The interviews were conducted in May and June 2020, transcribed, and subsequently analysed using deductive and inductive content analysis into an overarching category, main categories, and sub-categories. RESULTS: "There was no panic - challenged by the unprecedented" was a strong thread, which was reflected in two categories: (a) Everyone walked in step, containing the sub-categories: Public officials set the tone, Creating order in disorder, and Mutual respect and teamwork, and (b) Inspired by extraordinary accomplishments, encompassing the sub-categories: Realising one's potential and Unexpectedly rewarding. In exceptional circumstances the nurse managers' decision-making authority grew, material and manpower resources were sufficient, promptly constructed work procedures were in place, and tasks were completed instantly in trusting and respectful interdisciplinary collaboration. With sound support and trust from hospital directors, the nurse managers utilised their expertise to the fullest and they were proud of their work. CONCLUSION: The findings portray the almost invisible work of nurse managers in organising complex care. Although the circumstances were exceptional the findings speak to the accomplishments that can be gained when nurse managers have autonomy and the opportunity to utilise their professional capacity to the fullest. IMPACT: The findings reveal the almost invisible work of nurses in organising complex care and can inform the establishment of outpatient clinics for patients infected with COVID-19 and of healthcare development more generally.

[Epidemiology of needlesticks at Landspítali University Hospital during the years 1986-2011. A descriptive study]. / Faraldsfrædi stunguóhappa á Landspítalanum á árunum 1986-2011

INTRODUCTION: Needlesticks, bodyfluid exposure and bites (incident) put healthcare workers (HCWs) at risk of hepatitis B, C and HIV particularly if patients are infected (high risk incident). The risk of infection is greatest from bore-hollow needles. The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiology of reported incidents and evaluate underreporting by HCWs at Landspítali University Hospital (LUH). METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study of reported incidents during 1986-2011. The ratio of incidents was calculated according to the HCWs age and profession and distribution by source and wards. The ratio of high risk incidents and vaccination status against HBV at time of incident was determined as well as underreporting during 01.01.2005-31.12.2011. RESULTS: At least 4089 incidents occured during the study period but 3587 were reported and blood samples taken from 2578 patients. Approximately a third of the incidents were associated with non-compliance with standard precaution and 54,7% of needlesticks were associated with bore-hollow needles. Few reports came from physicians and medical students (17,9%). During the study period 50,3% HCWs were vaccinated against HBV at time of incident. High risk incidents were 94 (2.6%), mostly related to hepatitis C (64,9%). Two HCWs became infected with HCV. During 2005-2011 underreporting was estimated to be 28,0%. CONCLUSION: Improved education of standard precaution when handling needles and sharps at LUH may reduce the number of incidents. Introduction of safety-needles and safety-devices may greatly reduce needlesticks as a large number of incidents were associated with hollow needles. Improved HBV vaccination among HCWs and reporting incidents should be encouraged.