register

News & Trends - MedTech & Diagnostics

Documentation of COVID-19 screening fell short of national imperative in Australian hospitals, says new study

Health Industry Hub | September 28, 2020 |

MedTech News: New Australian research on COVID-19 screening of hospital patients during the first wave of the pandemic found that the documentation of patient screening procedures before surgery could be improved.

The COVID Screen Audit study has been published in Australian Health Review, the journal of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA).

Research team leader Professor David Story (University of Melbourne) said the study analysed the admission records of 2,197 patients who underwent elective and non-elective surgery at two major Melbourne hospitals between 1 April and 10 May 2020.

“Despite the national imperative to screen for COVID and communicate the results, the documenting of COVID-19 screening fell short of our proposed lower acceptable limit of 85% in almost all surgical groups,” Professor Story said.

“We are not saying screening wasn’t done, rather that the information wasn’t readily available for clinical teams caring for some patients. We would assume patients have been screened, probably several times, but we really need to know for sure. We need it in writing.

“The percentages of surgery patients observed to have had both COVID-19 screening and temperature documented could be improved, from 72% among elective patients and 38% among non-elective patients.

“We found that documenting screening varied markedly across surgical groups. In particular we found that non-elective surgical patients had the lowest rate of documenting and also the highest rate of COVID-19 related history and signs,” Professor Story said.

Identifying surgical patients with SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 disease is important for several reasons, including that patients with COVID-19 may have more complications and greater mortality after surgery. COVID-19 may also further increase the already increased risks for complications and mortality among non-elective patients.

Professor Story said the results of the COVID Screen Audit study were likely to apply to other Australian hospitals, and noted that both hospitals had instituted far more rigorous documenting during Victoria’s second wave of the pandemic.

Dr Linda Swan, Medibank’s Chief Medical Officer, said she hoped these important findings from the COVID Screen Audit helped inform policy to improve elective surgery safety, especially with a high backlog to clear.

“Relying on only swabbing all patients undergoing elective surgery is not the solution, as it’s not 100% accurate in determining all COVID positive patients. Plus, with urgent (non-elective) cases, surgeons don’t have time to wait for a lab result. This study highlights the importance of thorough documentation of questionnaires and temperature checks for all surgeries,” Dr Swan concluded.

The study was funded by research grants from the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Research Foundation and the Medibank Better Health Foundation.


ESG

Landmark National Health and Climate Strategy to roll out 'green procurement guidelines' for medicines and surgical supplies

Landmark National Health and Climate Strategy to roll out ‘green procurement guidelines’ for medicines and surgical supplies

Health Industry Hub | December 5, 2023 |

ESG: At the 28th United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged […]

More


News & Trends - Pharmaceuticals

A strategic alignment for HTA Review: Professor Skerritt appointed to Medicines Australia Board

A strategic alignment for HTA Review: Professor Skerritt appointed to Medicines Australia Board

Health Industry Hub | December 5, 2023 |

Pharma News: Professor John Skerritt has been appointed as an Independent Selected Director on the Medicines Australia Board effective 4 […]

More


News & Trends - MedTech & Diagnostics

Breath of change: Cystic Fibrosis Australia forges pioneering partnership with local medtech

Breath of change: Cystic Fibrosis Australia forges pioneering partnership with local medtech

Health Industry Hub | December 5, 2023 |

MedTech & Diagnostics News: In a move aimed at enhancing cystic fibrosis (CF) care and support, Australian-based medical device company, […]

More


News & Trends - Pharmaceuticals

Does the evidence support safety concerns following CAR-T cell therapies?

Does the evidence support safety concerns following CAR-T cell therapies?

Health Industry Hub | December 5, 2023 |

Pharma News: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched an investigation into a concerning risk associated with CAR-T […]

More


This content is copyright protected. Please subscribe to gain access.