Innovation of Audio-Visual Triage System in Combating the Spread of COVID-19 Infection and Its Efficacy: A Novel Strategy

NCT04621214 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: IRBEC/BIH/013-2020
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

During the novel coronavirus pandemic, also known as SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 pandemic, frontline healthcare professionals suffered psychological as well as pathological trauma due to the lack of preparation to cope with this unforeseen situation. The protocols to prevent the spread of this disease proved to be less effective than anticipated. In these circumstances, improvement of the existing triage system was felt and an AUDIO-VISUAL TRIAGE (AVT) system was introduced to enhance confidence as well as increase the safety of frontline healthcare professionals. The current analysis was performed from March 21, 2020, to April 28, 2020, until the completion of sixty response forms, at Bahria Town International Hospital, Lahore. Thirty participants (Group A) deployed on visual triage and other thirty (Group B) on Audio-Visual triage for screening suspected cases of COVID-19 infection. Anxiety levels were measured by using the GAD-7 scoring system and the participants of both groups were periodically tested for COVID-19 infection by PCR. Independent t-test was used to evaluate the significance of different variables at a confidence level of 95%.

Conditions

Audio-Visual Triage System; Anxiety Levels; COVID-19 Spread; GAD-7 Score; Healthcare Professionals; Screening Strategy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus

  Every participant was test for COVID-19 infection by PCR. At the end of the study we compare the Number of participant infected by Corona virus in Both groups.

  12-24 hours

• General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scoring system

  The GAD-7 is used to measure the severity of anxiety. Score is calculated by assigning scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3, to the response categories of 'not at all', 'several days', 'more than half the days', and 'nearly every day', respectively, and adding together the scores for the seven questions. Scores of 5, 10, and 15 are taken as the cut-off points for mild, moderate and severe anxiety, respectively. When used as a screening tool, further evaluation is recommended when the score is 10 or greater. Using the threshold score of 10, the GAD-7 has a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 82% for GAD. It is moderately good at screening three other common anxiety disorders - panic disorder (sensitivity 74%, specificity 81%), social anxiety disorder (sensitivity 72%, specificity 80%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (sensitivity 66%, specificity 81%

  15 - 20 minutes

Study Arms (2)

Group-A

Group A were performing their duties on visual triage

Device: Audio-Visual Triage System (AVT)

Group-B

Group A were performing their duties on Audio-visual triage

Device: Audio-Visual Triage System (AVT)

Interventions

Audio-Visual Triage System (AVT) DEVICE

Audio System was added to visual triage that resulted in an AVT. Protocols of AVT included, a medical personal sits on TRIAGE DESK (with glass barrier sheet on it) wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) at a distance of more than 6 feet from the PATIENT DESK. Both desks are connected with Non-touchable MIC SYSTEM for communication

Group-A; Group-B

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 38 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Asymptomatic Healthy

You may qualify if:

• Participants performing their duty on visual triage.

You may not qualify if:

• Those participants having previous psychological illness, frequently used to use the washroom, had non-serious attitude and poor compliance with the protocols of wearing PPEs were excluded from the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lahore: lead

Study Sites (1)

The University of Lahore

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 4, 2020
• First Posted: November 9, 2020
• Study Start: March 21, 2020
• Primary Completion: April 28, 2020
• Study Completion: April 28, 2020
• Last Updated: November 9, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)