Data-driven, cross-disciplinary collaboration: lessons learned at the largest academic health center in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted global research efforts to reduce infection impact, highlighting the potential of cross-disciplinary collaboration to enhance research quality and efficiency. Methods: At the FMUSP-HC academic health system, we implemented innovative flow management routines for collecting, organizing and analyzing demographic data, COVID-related data and biological materials from over 4,500 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection hospitalized from 2020 to 2022. This strategy was mainly planned in three areas: organizing a database with data from the hospitalizations; setting-up a multidisciplinary taskforce to conduct follow-up assessments after discharge; and organizing a biobank. Additionally, a COVID-19 curated collection was created within the institutional digital library of academic papers to map the research output. Results: Over the course of the experience, the possible benefits and challenges of this type of research support approach were identified and discussed, leading to a set of recommended strategies to enhance collaboration within the research institution. Demographic and clinical data from COVID-19 hospitalizations were compiled in a database including adults and a minority of children and adolescents with laboratory confirmed COVID-19, covering 2020-2022, with approximately 350 fields per patient. To date, this database has been used in 16 published studies. Additionally, we assessed 700 adults 6 to 11 months after hospitalization through comprehensive, multidisciplinary in-person evaluations; this database, comprising around 2000 fields per subject, was used in 15 publications. Furthermore, thousands of blood samples collected during the acute phase and follow-up assessments remain stored for future investigations. To date, more than 3,700 aliquots have been used in ongoing research investigating various aspects of COVID-19. Lastly, the mapping of the overall research output revealed that between 2020 and 2022 our academic system produced 1,394 scientific articles on COVID-19. Discussion: Research is a crucial component of an effective epidemic response, and the preparation process should include a well-defined plan for organizing and sharing resources. The initiatives described in the present paper were successful in our aim to foster large-scale research in our institution. Although a single model may not be appropriate for all contexts, cross-disciplinary collaboration and open data sharing should make health research systems more efficient to generate the best evidence.

Disinfection of 3D-printed protective face shield during COVID-19 pandemic.

This study assessed the disinfection using 70% ethanol; H2O2-quaternary ammonium salt mixture; 0.1% sodium hypochlorite and autoclaving of four 3D-printed face shields with different designs, visor materials; and visor thickness (0.5-0.75 mm). We also investigated their clinical suitability by applying a questionnaire to health workers (HW) who used them. Each type of disinfection was done 40 times on each type of mask without physical damage. In contrast, autoclaving led to appreciable damage.

Decontamination and re-use of surgical masks and respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic increased global demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) and resulted in shortages. The study evaluated the re-use of surgical masks and respirators by analysing their performance and safety before and after reprocessing using the following methods: oven, thermal drying, autoclave, and hydrogen peroxide plasma vapour. METHODS: In total, 45 surgical masks and 69 respirators were decontaminated. Visual integrity, air permeability, burst resistance, pressure differential and particulate filtration efficiency of new and decontaminated surgical masks and respirators were evaluated. In addition, 14 used respirators were analysed after work shifts before and after decontamination using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and viral culturing. Finally, reprocessed respirators were evaluated by users in terms of functionality and comfort. RESULTS: Oven decontamination (75 °C for 45 min) was found to be the simplest decontamination method. Physical and filtration assays indicated that all reprocessing methods were safe after one cycle. Oven decontamination maintained the characteristics of surgical masks and respirators for at least five reprocessing cycles. Viral RNA was detected by RT-PCR in two of the 14 used respirators. Four respirators submitted to viral culture were PCR-negative and culture-negative. Reprocessed respirators used in work shifts were evaluated positively by users, even after three decontamination cycles. CONCLUSION: Oven decontamination is a safe method for reprocessing surgical masks and respirators for at least five cycles, and is feasible in the hospital setting.

Time de resposta rápida e atendimento de paradas cardíacas extra-hospitalares / Rapid response Team and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Times de Resposta Rápida (TRR) são equipes multidisciplinares treinadas para atender indivíduos com intercorrências agudas e graves, incluindo parada cardiorrespiratória (PCR) súbita, nas unidades de internação. O objetivo deste trabalho é discutir as particularidades do emprego de um TRR hospitalar no atendimento de PCRs extra-hospitalares, utilizando a experiência do time do Instituto Central do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (ICHC-FMUSP) para elucidação. Metodologia: Estudo retrospectivo, descritivo, utilizando o banco de dados do TRR do ICHC-FMUSP. Foram levantados todos os casos classificados como PCR súbita atendidos em ambiente extra-hospitalar, nos anos de 2014 a 2016. Dados globais de cinco pacientes que evoluíram com alta hospitalar e nível neurológico preservado foram descritos e analisados em detalhes. Resultados: Entre 11 atendimentos, oito tiveram retorno da circulação espontânea (RCE) na cena (72,2%) e três morreram no local. Dos oito pacientes admitidos com vida no Departamento de Emergência, cinco tiveram alta hospitalar após o evento (45,5%). A média de tempo de resposta foi 3 ± 1,2 minutos e o intervalo chamada-choque foi de 7,25 ± 3,2 minutos. Os ritmos de parada foram fibrilação ventricular (80%) e atividade elétrica sem pulso (20%). Dois pacientes foram diagnosticados com doença coronariana grave e quatro receberam um cardiodesfibrilador implantável (CDI) para profilaxia secundária de morte súbita. Um paciente, entre os cinco que tiveram alta, faleceu em outro serviço. Conclusão: Apesar de pouco usual, o emprego de um TRR hospitalar no atendimento de PCRs extra-hospitalares pode ser benéfico. Os desfechos favoráveis provavelmente decorreram do treinamento da equipe e da rapidez na realização do atendimento. A investigação cardiológica dos sobreviventes identificou pacientes com doenças graves, que, portanto, mais se beneficiariam da assistência de um time especializado

Introduction: Rapid Response Teams (RRT) are multidisciplinary groups trained to treat individuals with severe and acute events, including sudden cardiac arrest (CA), in in-patient units. The aim of this report is to discuss the singularities of deploying a hospital RRT for out-of-hospital CA assistance, using the experience of the team at the Instituto Central of Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo School of Medicine (ICHC-FMUSP) as illustration. Methodology: A retrospective, descriptive analysis was conducted, using the RRT database of the ICHC-FMUSP. All cases classified as sudden CA treated outside of the hospital between 2014 and 2016 were surveyed. Global data for five patients who progressed to discharge from hospital free of neuro - logical impairment were described and analyzed in detail. Results: Of the 11 cases, 8 had return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at the scene (72.2%), and 3 died on site. Of the 8 patients admitted to the Emergency Department, 5 were discharged from the hospital after the event (45.5%). The average response time was 3±1.2minutes, and the call-to-shock time interval was 7.25±3.2minutes. The cardiac arrest rhythms were ventricular fibrillation (80%) and pulseless electrical activity (20%). Two patients were diagnosed with severe coronary disease and four received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for secondary prophylaxis of sudden death. One patient, of the 5 discharged, died in another unit. Conclusion: Although unusual, the use of a hospital RRT for out-of-hospital CA assistance can be beneficial. The favorable outcomes likely resulted from the team's training and the speed with which the treatment was given. Cardiovascular evaluation of the survivors identified patents with severe diseases, which would, therefore, most benefit from the care of a specialized team

Using the Manchester triage system for refusing nonurgent patients in the emergency department: A 30-day outcome study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes and satisfaction of nonurgent patients who seek care in the emergency department (ED) and are diverted to primary health services (PHS). METHODS: Data were collected from 264 nonurgent patients diverted from the ED of a tertiary public university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The nonurgent patient definition was performed by Manchester triage system version II (MTS-II) associated to medical interview in the triage service. Satisfaction levels were evaluated by telephone interviews. The outcomes were assessed within 30 days after the ED visit. RESULTS: Based on the MTS-II, 56.4 percent of the diverted patients were classified as green, 34.3 percent as blue, and 9.3 percent as white. Only one patient required a hospital admission and no deaths were registered within 30 days after ED diversion. After diversion, the majority of patients searched for PHS (62.7 percent), 14.4 percent sought out other EDs, and 22.9 percent did not seek out any other health services. Regarding patient satisfaction, 61.9 percent evaluated the triage team as fair, good, or very good. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that diverting nonurgent patients from the ED to PHS may be carried out in a hierarchic system like the Brazilian public healthcare system. The MTS-II can be a useful triage system to support physician in the diverting process. In addition, patient satisfaction with the refusing was reasonable. Future studies should be designed to evaluate patient safety outcomes in a larger sample and in different healthcare systems.