Dataset Information

Linking Statistics With Testing Policy to Manage COVID-19 in the Community.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:To determine the public health surveillance severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing volume needed, both for acute infection and seroprevalence. METHODS:Required testing volumes were developed using standard statistical methods based on test analytical performance, disease prevalence, desired precision, and population size. RESULTS:Widespread testing for individual health management cannot address surveillance needs. The number of people who must be sampled for public health surveillance and decision making, although not trivial, is potentially in the thousands for any given population or subpopulation, not millions. CONCLUSIONS:While the contributions of diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 have received considerable attention, concerns abound regarding the availability of sufficient testing capacity to meet demand. Different testing goals require different numbers of tests and different testing strategies; testing strategies for national or local disease surveillance, including monitoring of prevalence, receive less attention. Our clinical laboratory and diagnostic infrastructure are capable of incorporating required volumes for many local, regional, and national public health surveillance studies into their current and projected testing capacity. However, testing for surveillance requires careful design and randomization to provide meaningful insights.

SUBMITTER: Hilborne LH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7314266 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Linking Statistics With Testing Policy to Manage COVID-19 in the Community.

Hilborne Lee H LH Wagner Zachary Z Cabreros Irineo I Brook Robert H RH

American journal of clinical pathology 20200701 2

<h4>Objectives</h4>To determine the public health surveillance severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing volume needed, both for acute infection and seroprevalence.<h4>Methods</h4>Required testing volumes were developed using standard statistical methods based on test analytical performance, disease prevalence, desired precision, and population size.<h4>Results</h4>Widespread testing for individual health management cannot address surveillance needs. The number of peop ...[more]

PMID: 32520340

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Project description:BackgroundReadily accessible to the public, community pharmacies (CPs) were placed under increased pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic. In England, dispensing volume increased by 25% between February and March 2020. This followed a decade of stagnant government funding, which has been attributed to CP closures. If another pandemic emerged, the reduced number of CPs may face increased pressures.ObjectiveTo explore CP service provision in England throughout the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspectives of providers and policy makers, including what can be learned in preparation for any future pandemic.MethodsCP providers (n = 10) and policy makers (n = 6) were interviewed via telephone between June and September 2021. Interviews were transcribed and then analysed thematically using NVivo.ResultsPandemic specific pressures were identified, as well as long-term issues which preceded the pandemic. Increased workload was recognised by both providers and policy makers due to changes in prescribing habits and was exacerbated by staff shortages. CP staff safety was a major concern, with limited personal protective equipment provided despite being open to the public. General Practitioner (GP) surgeries received more protective equipment than CP and still referred patients to pharmacy e.g., for a blood pressure check.ConclusionsThe pandemic re-confirmed CPs role of providing accessible healthcare, particularly medicines provision, but also highlighted the demand for in-person clinical services. Improved communication channels between CP and GP surgeries are required, as is pandemic prescribing guidance to ensure appropriate prescribing to safeguard the medicines supply chain. To ensure the health of all providers is fairly protected, activities which require in-person contact or can be undertaken remotely by CP, GP surgeries and other providers should be reviewed. For pandemic preparation, legislative changes are required which empower pharmacy to fully contribute to patient care. A review of pharmacy funding and staffing is also needed to ensure services are sustainable.

Project description:ObjectivesTo identify evidence-based strategies to improve adherence to the preventive measures against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the community level.MethodThis is an evidence brief for policy, combining research evidence specific to contextual knowledge from stakeholders. A systematic search was performed in 18 electronic databases, gray literature, and a handle search, including only secondary and tertiary studies that focused on the adherence of the general population to COVID-19 preventive measures in the community. Two reviewers, independently, performed the study selection, data extraction, and assessment of the quality of the studies. Relevant evidence has been synthesized to draft evidence-based strategies to improve adherence. These strategies were circulated for external endorsement by stakeholders and final refinement. Endorsement rates >80%, 60-80% and <60% were considered high, moderate, and low respectively.ResultsEleven studies, with varying methodological qualities were included: high (n = 3), moderate (n = 3), low (n = 1), and critically low (n = 4). Three evidence based strategies were identified: i. Risk communication; ii. Health education to the general public, and iii. Financial support and access to essential supplies and services. The rates of endorsement were: 83% for risk communication, 83% for health education, and 92% for financial support and access to essential supplies and services. The evidence showed that an increase in knowledge, transparent communication, and public awareness about the risks of COVID-19 and the benefits of adopting preventive measures results in changes in people's attitudes and behavior, which can increase adherence. In addition, the guarantee of support and assistance provides conditions for people to adopt and sustain such measures.ConclusionsThese strategies can guide future actions and the formulation of public policies to improve adherence to preventive measures in the community during the current COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics.

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Linking Statistics With Testing Policy to Manage COVID-19 in the Community.

Publications

Linking Statistics With Testing Policy to Manage COVID-19 in the Community.

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