Clinical perception and management of Parkinson's disease during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Canadian experience

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the social isolation of the population and the rapid implementation of remote care for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The objective of this study was to explore the perceived impact of confinement in patients with Parkinson's disease and document the effects of gender and living environment.MethodsWe recruited two cohorts from the Canadian provinces of Québec and Alberta, which differed in the dynamics of COVID-19 spreading at the time of the study, and administered a questionnaire on the perceived effects of confinement on daily living and disease management.ResultsThe data reveals that approximately half of the patients experienced a change in one or more clinical symptoms, with differences observed between gender (e.g. day-to-day changes in slowness in men, aggravated headaches in women) and geographic location (e.g. increased depression in Alberta but reduced sleep quality in Québec). Furthermore, participants identifying as women or living in Alberta implemented more frequently home or online exercise. Lastly, high levels of satisfaction with phone or video consultations did not translate into a sustained interest to pursue this mode of healthcare.ConclusionsThis study suggests that COVID-19-related confinement affected Parkinson's disease manifestation and management. Patients also reported varying levels of interest to continue remote care. A number of differences reported in our study were seemingly related to gender and living environment.     

Aerosol generating procedures in trauma and orthopaedics in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic; What do we know?

PurposeCOVID-19 pandemic has created havoc all over the globe and spared no one regardless of status, gender, location and ethnicity. There were questions raised if trauma and orthopaedic (T&O) procedures actually generated aerosols? The need for a review of literature highlighting the nature and impact of aerosol generation within T&O surgery was noted.MethodsA comprehensive online search was performed for all published articles in the English language, evaluating AGPs in T&O surgery and the relevant personal protection equipment used.ResultsThe search strategy populated 43 studies. Six studies were identified as duplicates. The shortlisted 37 studies were screened and nine studies were included in the review. An additional four studies were included from the bibliography review.ConclusionMost orthopaedic procedures are high-risk aerosol generating procedures (AGPs). Conventional surgical masks do not offer protection against high-risk AGPs. In the current era of COVID-19 pandemic, there is a significant risk to the transmission of infection to the theatre staff. For protection against airborne transmission, appropriate masks should be used. These need proper fitting and sizing to ensure full protection when used.     

Neonatal nursing in the COVID-19 pandemic: can we improve the future?

The current 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the world's largest and most pervasive public health emergency in more than one hundred years. Although neonatal units have not been at the epicentre of the current health crisis, they have also been forced to adopt contingency plans with the aim of protecting hospitalised neonates, their families, and professionals. Neonatal units have been forced to alter the neonatal care framework based on promoting neurodevelopment and family-centred care.The peak of the pandemic is falling in most countries, but COVID-19 infection is not eradicated and there is uncertainty about new outbreaks. It is time to reflect about better strategies to preserve the rights and excellence of care for newborns and their families. This column will highlight the changes that have occurred in neonatal units, and their impact on neonatal care and families. It is a time for critical reflection on nursing practice.     

Roles of nurses and National Nurses Associations in combating COVID-19: Taiwan experience

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to expand worldwide, Taiwan has effectively contained the spread domestically and protected its citizens after registering its first case relatively early on 21 January 2020. Proactive preparedness and deployment by the national government, timely evidence and experience-based judgements and decision-making, information transparency, rapid response, and effective communication and measures have all been critical to combating COVID-19 in Taiwan. Nurses play a pivotal role in providing direct health care as well as providing contact tracing and care for the quarantined clients and community care services. The Taiwan Nurses Association and other nurses’ associations serve a vital leadership role in advocating for nurses, raising public awareness, enhancing nursing’s professional profile, and sharing experiences via national and international platforms. The implications for nursing and health policy are that we need to well prepare for any unpredicted emerging pandemic in the future. Providing adequate personal protective equipment and safe staffing should be the highest priority for the governments and policymakers around the world to combat pandemic successfully.