Citation

Warwicker S, Piscopo N, Duca K, Baldacchino G, Camilleri J, Caruana L, Grech A, Mamo D. Malta Med. J. 2022; 34(2): 39-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, University of Malta Medical School)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

BACKGROUND During the months of August and September 2020, an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 took root in Mount Carmel Hospital and affected 29 elderly female chronic psychiatric inpatients, representing a significant clinical undertaking within the context of this low-resource healthcare setting.

METHODS An emergency isolation ward was set up to contend with the outbreak, while a medical response team comprised of two psychiatric doctors and five extended foundation trainees was established in order to care for this vulnerable patient cohort. Close liaison with the Infectious Diseases team at Mater Dei Hospital fostered an effective therapeutic setting within which these patients could be treated. This represented a unique approach in an environment where literature on SARS-CoV-2 is scarce - the psychiatric inpatient setting.

RESULTS All 29 of our patients recovered from SARS-CoV-2 during the course of this period as a result of close clinical observation, a system of twice-daily patient review, early identification of patient deterioration and effective cross-speciality communication.

CONCLUSION An outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 within the mental health inpatient setting represents a number of unique clinical, managerial and interpersonal challenges, though straightforward clinical measures and effective patient monitoring can greatly aid the response to viral outbreaks in low-resource healthcare settings. © 2022, University of Malta. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; mental health; suicide; female; male; aged; polymerase chain reaction; schizophrenia; visual impairment; mental disease; clinical article; health care facility; intensive care unit; hospital patient; daily life activity; health care personnel; mental hospital; fever; cohort analysis; diabetes mellitus; glaucoma; clinical observation; myalgia; hypothyroidism; clinical decision making; metastasis; gout; Article; venous thromboembolism; observational study; dyslipidemia; hospital infection; total quality management; community acquired pneumonia; respiratory tract infection; hearing impairment; Darier disease; disease surveillance; activity of daily living assessment; coronavirus disease 2019; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; turnover rate