FilmArray® and Management of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in COVID-19 ARDS
SARS-CoV2 InfectionVentilator Associated Pneumonia2 moreVentilator Associated Pneumonia (VAPs) are a very common side effect in intensive care units. They are the leading causes of nosocomial infections and excess mortality in intensive care units: associated with a controversial death rate of around 13%. VAPs complicate about 40-50% of COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and the mortality would be twice higher. Thus, in this context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this represents a considerable rate of patients. Unfortunately, the risk factors for VAPs are poorly understood and the bacterial ecology varies around the world. Also, facing a high prevalence of multi-resistant bacteria in this population, the choice of probabilistic antibiotic therapy is complex and represents a considerable impact for care. New microbiological rapid diagnostic techniques have appeared in recent years, among them the FilmArray® seems to present interesting diagnostic performances with the ability to detects resistance to antibiotics. This technique has been studied in acute community pneumonia but has not been validated in VAP and even less during the COVID-19 period. Investigators decide to conduct this study to investigate if the early identification of the pathogens and their mechanism of resistance using FilmArray® would improve the relevance of the antibiotic treatment. The aim of this project is to evaluate the contribution of a rapid diagnostic technique to the management of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia during COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome before an interventional study.
Covid-19 Pandemic and Use of Video Laryngoscopy
COVID-19 PneumoniaSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes a highly contagious infection with the highest viral load in the upper respiratory secretions. Despite using personal protective equipment, SARS-CoV-2 contamination to the healthcare personnel is possible during the airway management of infected patients. Direct laryngoscopy remains as the most common method for endotracheal intubation. Our study aimed to compare the use of video laryngoscopy with direct laryngoscopy for tracheal intubation in adult patients receiving general anesthesia for elective surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Immunogenicity of a Third Dose of mRNA-1273 Vaccine Among Cancer Patients
Covid19SARS-CoV2 InfectionInvestigators will evaluate the immunogenicity of a third dose of mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine among cancer patients receiving the recommended third vaccine dose
"Barotrauma in Admitted Covid-19 Cases - A Single Center Retrospective Study"
BarotraumaCOVID-19A retrospective study is planned to find out the incidence and association type of respiratory support with barotrauma in Covid-19 cases admitted in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. As widely known, Covid-19 affects the respiratory system primarily and is the main cause of admission to hospital. Depending upon the severity, different levels of respiratory support are offered to the patients. Normally patients with viral/bacterial respiratory diseases have a low incidence of barotrauma. Since this disease is new and it has been observed that a significant number of covid-19 patients develop barotrauma, hence it is deemed worthwhile to investigate the matter. All the patients admitted to the ward, high dependency unit, and intensive care unit will be scanned and those who developed barotrauma (pneumothorax, surgical emphysema, pneumo-pericardium, and pneumo-mediastinum) will be studied in detail and analyzed. This review is expected to highlight the problem and etiology and we might be able to suggest a management strategy to deal with this problem.
Public Support for COVID-19 Test Allocation
Health EquityCOVID-19In a randomized survey experiment, investigators will assess public support or opposition towards one of three potential government plans for allocating at-home coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tests to United States residents: 1) first come, first served; 2) a random draw; or 3) a random draw with 20% of tests reserved for disadvantaged areas. Investigators will also examine public attitudes surrounding other logistical and equity-related aspects of these allocation plans.
Evaluation of Two Versions of a Digital Problem Solving Tool for the General Public Specific for...
Problem SolvingA digital problem solving tool was tailored to people in the general public with practical or emotional problems during COVID-19. Content analysis were used to account for the types of problems participants used the tool to solve. Participants were randomized to one of two versions of the problem solving tool, a simple and a more advanced graphical interface. These versions were compared on participant-rated usability, credibility and the level of actual interaction with the tool.
Long-term Effects of COVID-19 in Adolescents
Covid19The overarching objective for this prospective cohort study of COVID-19 in adolescents is to study the long-term effects, with particular emphasis on post-infectious chronic fatigue. A total of 500 individuals with a SARS-CoV-2 positive test will be enrolled in the acute phase of COVID-19 and followed for 6 months. A total of 100 individuals with SARS-CoV-2 negative test will be included during the same time period as a control group. Investigations include autonomic, pulmonary and cognitive assessement; a questionnaire charting symptoms, emotionality, personality, loneliness, life events and demographics; and extensive biobanking including genetic markers, viable PBMC, urine, feces and hair. A subgroup of 40 SARS-CoV-2 positive and 20 SARS-CoV-2 negative individuals will also undergo detailed cardiological examination by echocardiography. Primary endpoints are fatigue at 6 months as assessed by the Chalder Fatigue Scale and post-COVID-19 syndrome cases at 6 months according to the WHO definition
Covid-19 Airway Management
Covid-19_airways ManagementThe study has a retrospective and a prospective component. The retrospective component aims to review data of all airway management related SAEs in COVID 19 patients (between April and July 2020); hypoxemia, hypotension and cardiac arrest within 15 min of intubation. The prospective component aims to assess the incidence of COVID-19 infection in Airway Management Team members by means of an interview assessing their COVID19 status after participating in airway management in the period outlined above. This prospective interview component is starting in December 2020.
Evaluating the Impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on Research in Care Homes
Covid19During the COVID-19 (corona virus) pandemic the research arena has had to rapidly adapt and change in order to facilitate and deliver research. The UK (United Kingdom) government and Public Health England have stressed the importance of such research to find solutions to treating, preventing and stopping the spread of COVID-19. Due to national and international 'lock down restrictions' delivering research in care home settings has become even more challenging. The adaptations to conducting consultations have relied heavily on the use of technology, for example video calling, telephone, email, and teleconferencing. It is suggested that the use of technology in care home settings is already a barrier to effective research delivery. Nevertheless, as care home residents are a vulnerable group, it is critical to include these groups in research in order to enable improved and evidence-based care and their access to new and emerging treatments. This study aims to assess the opinions and experiences of key stakeholders to identify barriers, and enable better facilitation of research in these settings during and post pandemic.
Modafinil for Wakefulness in the Critical Care Units
Critical IllnessCOVID-191 moreIt has been well documented that patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are susceptible to developing neurocognitive and musculoskeletal complications because of various factors, including the nature of the critical illness, medications, over-sedation, and pain. Neuro-stimulants are used to speed up physical and mental processes through the increase in neurotransmitter, which translates into increase in arousal, wakefulness, attention, memory, mental and motor processing speed. The investigators reviewed the literature and described the clinical characteristics for a case series of adult patients admitted to COVID and non-COVID ICU between January 2017 and June 2020, who received modafinil to promote wakefulness and improve cognition at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The secondary goals to describe the change of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) before and after the start of modafinil therapy, ICU and hospital length of stay, discharge disposition, adverse drug effects, and mortality rate.