The resources listed below are supplementary to those already provided on the Ministry of Health website. You will also find valuable information for everyday work on the health and safety page of this hub. It includes information including how to keep your home bubble safe when returning from work, intubation checklists and video clips. You will find links below in the following sections:
- Clinical guidelines and resources
- Communication: Telehealth resources and breaking bad news in a virtual environment
- Health care providers
- Human factors and re-designing work solutions for COVID-19
- Resources for engaging with consumers
Clinical guidelines and resources
Bringing together all COVID-19 research, reviews, commentary, news, and analysis from across the Lancet family of journals as it is published. The resource aims to assist health workers, policy makers, and researchers to bring the COVID-19 pandemic to a close. All of our COVID-19 content is free to access: https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus
A guide for intensive care unit (ICU) nurses on ventilator emergency care of COVID-19 patients. It includes a quick reference bedside guide for nursing in ICU: https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/report/Bedside_guide_ventilator_emergency_care_for_COVID-19_patients/14408729/1/files/27544751.pdf
Hospice New Zealand has a number of key New Zealand palliative care resources on their COVID-19 for health professionals page.
General information about palliative care for COVID-19 patients:
- Introduction and an approach to palliative management in a pandemic
- End-of-life nursing considerations – COVID-19 patients
- Symptom control for people with COVID-19.
Palliative care information for aged residential care:
Currently in Aotearoa district health boards are implementing Shared Goals of Care (SGOC), a move away from the historic binary not for resuscitation, to discussing and deciding on goals of care that reflects the patients and whānau values and beliefs. This UK report 'Protect, respect, connect –
decisions about living and dying well during COVID-19' demonstrates why a SGOC approach is important: https://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20210318_dnacpr_printer-version.pdf
This information is supplementary to the MOH guidance for vaccinators. It provides 10 human factor based principles to support systems thinking for vaccination programmes that apply across settings. These human factors ergonomic principles relate to the identification and description of work systems (Identify), the improvement of work systems and processes (Improve), and the continuous learning from experience to achieve sustainable change. An infographic explaining the factors is also available.
During COVID-19, people with cognitive impairment may find hospital even more frightening than usual. In recognition of this changed environment, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has developed a poster and factsheet to support health service organisations to provide safe care for people with cognitive impairment during COVID-19: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/cognitive-impairment/cognitive-impairment-and-covid-19
Created by Parents of Vision Impaired (PVINZ), this webpage has an audio description of hand washing advice for blind people as well as a video about how to explain the importance of hand washing to children: https://pvi.org.nz/covid-19-hand-washing-advice-audio-and-video-including-descriptions-captions/
A group of obstetric experts created this video to demonstrate good practice in obsetric emergencies involving COVID-19 positive patients: https://www.thisinstitute.cam.ac.uk/research-articles/covid-19-managing-an-obstetric-emergency/
The COVID-19 pandemic is an opportune time to offer smoking cessation services, to encourage and support quitting tobacco use. Researchers have highlighted the association between tobacco smoking and adverse COVID-19 disease outcomes, and the need for smokers to quit: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(20)30236-X/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email
This review sought to understand how patients were infected with COVID-19 on acute hospital wards. It provides guidance on how to prevent transmission of COVID-19 to patients admitted and treated in acute hospitals who are COVID-19 negative on admission: https://www.hsib.org.uk/investigations-and-reports/covid-19-transmission-in-hospitals-management-of-the-risk/
This website contains general information for health professionals in New Zealand regarding medicines and COVID-19. The information is compiled by a multidisciplinary team including pharmacists, pharmacologists and infectious diseases experts: http://www.medicinesinformation.co.nz/2020/03/20/medicines-and-covid-19/
This short video simulates how to move an unconscious patient from suprine to prone and back. In the clinical environment staff are encouraged to be 'be bare below the elbow' to promote adequate hand hygiene. You can also watch the video on YouTube.
A clear and thought-provoking article for all health care managers and clinical leaders to consider about COVID-19 era diagnostic errors and how to reduce their occurrence. It includes preparing for potential future COVID-19 waves: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7289509/
This short video, courtesy of Capital and Coast DHB, simulates how to work in a team nursing model when staffing may be less than ideal due to acuity. Team nursing models are useful in many areas of nursing and could be implemented in other care situations. You can also view the video on YouTube.
This website provides key information for clinical staff wearing PPE th to reduce the risk of PI. NOTE fit testing for N95/P2 respirators must undertaken with any protective skin dressing in situ if used: https://www.nzwcs.org.nz/covid-19-resources
COVID-19 resource centre (The Lancet) (2022)
Bringing together all COVID-19 research, reviews, commentary, news, and analysis from across the Lancet family of journals as it is published. The resource aims to assist health workers, policy makers, and researchers to bring the COVID-19 pandemic to a close. All of our COVID-19 content is free to access: https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus
Bedside guide: ventilator emergency care for COVID-19 patients (Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors) (2021)
A guide for intensive care unit (ICU) nurses on ventilator emergency care of COVID-19 patients. It includes a quick reference bedside guide for nursing in ICU: https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/report/Bedside_guide_ventilator_emergency_care_for_COVID-19_patients/14408729/1/files/27544751.pdf
New Zealand palliative care guidelines (Hospice New Zealand) (2021)
Hospice New Zealand has a number of key New Zealand palliative care resources on their COVID-19 for health professionals page.
General information about palliative care for COVID-19 patients:
- Introduction and an approach to palliative management in a pandemic
- End-of-life nursing considerations – COVID-19 patients
- Symptom control for people with COVID-19.
Palliative care information for aged residential care:
- A guideline for accessing resources and training for managing syringe drivers for aged residential care, primary health and community settings
- Managing palliative care needs in aged residential care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Protect, respect, connect – decisions about living and dying well during COVID-19 (Care Quality Commission) (2021)
Currently in Aotearoa district health boards are implementing Shared Goals of Care (SGOC), a move away from the historic binary not for resuscitation, to discussing and deciding on goals of care that reflects the patients and whānau values and beliefs. This UK report 'Protect, respect, connect –
decisions about living and dying well during COVID-19' demonstrates why a SGOC approach is important: https://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20210318_dnacpr_printer-version.pdf
Vaccinating a nation: Ten human factors and ergonomics principles (Charted Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors) (2021)
This information is supplementary to the MOH guidance for vaccinators. It provides 10 human factor based principles to support systems thinking for vaccination programmes that apply across settings. These human factors ergonomic principles relate to the identification and description of work systems (Identify), the improvement of work systems and processes (Improve), and the continuous learning from experience to achieve sustainable change. An infographic explaining the factors is also available.
Cognitive impairment and COVID-19 (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care) (2020)
During COVID-19, people with cognitive impairment may find hospital even more frightening than usual. In recognition of this changed environment, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has developed a poster and factsheet to support health service organisations to provide safe care for people with cognitive impairment during COVID-19: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/cognitive-impairment/cognitive-impairment-and-covid-19
COVID-19 hand washing advice (Parents of Vision Impaired NZ Inc) (2020)
Created by Parents of Vision Impaired (PVINZ), this webpage has an audio description of hand washing advice for blind people as well as a video about how to explain the importance of hand washing to children: https://pvi.org.nz/covid-19-hand-washing-advice-audio-and-video-including-descriptions-captions/
COVID-19: managing an obstetric emergency (THIS.Institute) (2020)
A group of obstetric experts created this video to demonstrate good practice in obsetric emergencies involving COVID-19 positive patients: https://www.thisinstitute.cam.ac.uk/research-articles/covid-19-managing-an-obstetric-emergency/
COVID-19 pandemic: an opportunity for tobacco use cessation (The Lancet) (2020)
The COVID-19 pandemic is an opportune time to offer smoking cessation services, to encourage and support quitting tobacco use. Researchers have highlighted the association between tobacco smoking and adverse COVID-19 disease outcomes, and the need for smokers to quit: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(20)30236-X/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email
COVID-19 transmission in hospitals: management of the risk – a prospective safety investigation (Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch) (2020)
This review sought to understand how patients were infected with COVID-19 on acute hospital wards. It provides guidance on how to prevent transmission of COVID-19 to patients admitted and treated in acute hospitals who are COVID-19 negative on admission: https://www.hsib.org.uk/investigations-and-reports/covid-19-transmission-in-hospitals-management-of-the-risk/
Medicines and COVID-19 (Christchurch Medicines Information Service) (2020)
This website contains general information for health professionals in New Zealand regarding medicines and COVID-19. The information is compiled by a multidisciplinary team including pharmacists, pharmacologists and infectious diseases experts: http://www.medicinesinformation.co.nz/2020/03/20/medicines-and-covid-19/
Proning patients in Wellington ICU (Capital & Coast DHB) (2020)
This short video simulates how to move an unconscious patient from suprine to prone and back. In the clinical environment staff are encouraged to be 'be bare below the elbow' to promote adequate hand hygiene. You can also watch the video on YouTube.
Reducing the risk of diagnostic error in the COVID-19 era (Journal of Hospital Medicine) (2020)
A clear and thought-provoking article for all health care managers and clinical leaders to consider about COVID-19 era diagnostic errors and how to reduce their occurrence. It includes preparing for potential future COVID-19 waves: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7289509/
Wellington ICU-focused care and team nursing management model (Capital & Coast DHB) (2020)
This short video, courtesy of Capital and Coast DHB, simulates how to work in a team nursing model when staffing may be less than ideal due to acuity. Team nursing models are useful in many areas of nursing and could be implemented in other care situations. You can also view the video on YouTube.
Wound care society COVID-19 webpage preventing PI while wearing PPE (New Zealand Wound Care Society)
This website provides key information for clinical staff wearing PPE th to reduce the risk of PI. NOTE fit testing for N95/P2 respirators must undertaken with any protective skin dressing in situ if used: https://www.nzwcs.org.nz/covid-19-resources
Communication: Telehealth resources and breaking bad news in a virtual environment
The NZ Telehealth Forum and Resource Centre is an initiative from the Ministry of Health. The website has guidance and resources for people who want to set up, improve or use a telehealth service within New Zealand: https://www.telehealth.org.nz/
These webinars from the New Zealand Telehealth Forum & Research Centre are aimed at supporting providers who are implementing telehealth services such as phone or video consultations, to achieve safe, secure and sustainable telehealth solutions which complement their existing in-person relationships: https://www.telehealth.org.nz/webinars/
This journal article and accompanying videos talk about the resources developed by the Academy of Communication in Healthcare to support clinicians with navigating the sudden increase in telehealth consultations during COVID-19. There is a journal article and two videos with tips about good communication in telehealth.
It is never easy to tell whānau that a loved one has died, but it is particularly difficult over the phone. This short video will help you prepare for this. It includes guidance on how you can support the person you are telling to share with children and grandchildren. You can also watch the video on YouTube.
This handy visual guide to breaking bad news and having difficult conversations with relatives via telephone during the COVID-19 outbreak was developed by Dr Antonia Field-Smith and Dr Louise Robinson from the Palliative Care Team at West Middlesex Hospital, NHS Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Foundation Trust: https://www.bgs.org.uk/resources/covid-19-tools-and-templates#&gid=1&pid=1
RapidCheckTM (546KB, pdf) from the Cognitive Institute is a simple five step briefing and debriefing tool leaders can use to ensure staff are aware, understand and are coping with the rapid changes around them.
This webpage was developed by the Commission to support clinicians to have conversations and plan care that is person-centred in the face of COVID-19. It includes conversation guides, training and documentation resources to help you to preparing to talk to your patients and their whānau, talk to them, document what you learn from the conversation and to use this information to inform care.
This on-demand webinar series focuses on insights and techniques to sustain physical and mental wellbeing and team performance through COVID-19 and beyond. It is suitable for clinicians and clinical leaders. The webinars share practical evidence-based strategies including RapidCheck™, a new operational team briefing and debriefing tool leaders can use to maintain maximum performance and ensure staff are aware, understand and are coping with the rapid changes around them. Watch the series in your own time and share with your colleagues: https://www.cognitiveinstitute.org/webinars/
New Zealand Telehealth Forum & Research Centre (Ministry of Health) (2022)
The NZ Telehealth Forum and Resource Centre is an initiative from the Ministry of Health. The website has guidance and resources for people who want to set up, improve or use a telehealth service within New Zealand: https://www.telehealth.org.nz/
New Zealand Telehealth Forum & Research Centre webinars (Ministry of Health) (2022)
These webinars from the New Zealand Telehealth Forum & Research Centre are aimed at supporting providers who are implementing telehealth services such as phone or video consultations, to achieve safe, secure and sustainable telehealth solutions which complement their existing in-person relationships: https://www.telehealth.org.nz/webinars/
Fostering human connection in the COVID-19 virtual health care realm (Academy of Communication in Healthcare) (2020)
This journal article and accompanying videos talk about the resources developed by the Academy of Communication in Healthcare to support clinicians with navigating the sudden increase in telehealth consultations during COVID-19. There is a journal article and two videos with tips about good communication in telehealth.
- Fostering human connection in the COVID-19 virtual health care realm (New England Journal of Medicine)
- Telehealth communication quick tips (part 1)
- Telehealth communication quick tips demonstration (part 2)
Guide for health care professionals: telephoning relatives about the death of a patient from COVID-19 (University of Oxford) (2020)
It is never easy to tell whānau that a loved one has died, but it is particularly difficult over the phone. This short video will help you prepare for this. It includes guidance on how you can support the person you are telling to share with children and grandchildren. You can also watch the video on YouTube.
Talking to relatives infographic (NHS) (2020)
This handy visual guide to breaking bad news and having difficult conversations with relatives via telephone during the COVID-19 outbreak was developed by Dr Antonia Field-Smith and Dr Louise Robinson from the Palliative Care Team at West Middlesex Hospital, NHS Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Foundation Trust: https://www.bgs.org.uk/resources/covid-19-tools-and-templates#&gid=1&pid=1
RapidCheckTM (Cognitive Institute)
RapidCheckTM (546KB, pdf) from the Cognitive Institute is a simple five step briefing and debriefing tool leaders can use to ensure staff are aware, understand and are coping with the rapid changes around them.
talkingCOVID (Health Quality & Safety Commission)
This webpage was developed by the Commission to support clinicians to have conversations and plan care that is person-centred in the face of COVID-19. It includes conversation guides, training and documentation resources to help you to preparing to talk to your patients and their whānau, talk to them, document what you learn from the conversation and to use this information to inform care.
Wellbeing and team performance webinar series (Cognitive Institute)
This on-demand webinar series focuses on insights and techniques to sustain physical and mental wellbeing and team performance through COVID-19 and beyond. It is suitable for clinicians and clinical leaders. The webinars share practical evidence-based strategies including RapidCheck™, a new operational team briefing and debriefing tool leaders can use to maintain maximum performance and ensure staff are aware, understand and are coping with the rapid changes around them. Watch the series in your own time and share with your colleagues: https://www.cognitiveinstitute.org/webinars/
Health care providers
DHB employees can find information on how DHBs will support them through COVID-19, including childcare solutions, a risk-assessment framework for vulnerable staff and frequently asked questions: https://tas.health.nz/employment-and-capability-building/employment-relations/dhb-covid-19-workforce-faqs-and-resources/
This short paper provides useful suggestions on ways to provide compassionate care whilst wearing PPE. Download the paper here (420KB, pdf).
This infection prevention and control guidance from the Ministry of Health is for those who work in the residential care setting and shows the best approach to putting on, taking off and disposing of PPE while at work. You can watch this video below or on YouTube.
This Ministry of health infection prevention and control guidance is for home and community care workers and shows the best approach to putting on, taking off and disposing of PPE in a home care setting. You can watch the video below or on YouTube.
We are aware that individual papers could potentially become outdated or superseded, therefore we recommend for information on caring for COVID-19 patients that you access this through the “living guidelines”, a High-priority, evidence-based clinical COVID-19 guidelines repository updated with the latest research: https://covid19evidence.net.au/#living-guidelines%20
This website has been set up to help get information out to our Pacific communities to help in the battle against COVID-19. Information, updates and advice are available in 8 Pacific languages, including a variety of videos. This website is an initiative of Counties Manukau Health, Auckland District Health Board, Waitematā District Health Board, Northland District Health Board and all their essential services working around the clock to help their people: https://preparepacific.nz/
Nursing patients in prone position increases skin vulnerability to breakdown for example medical device- related pressure injuries, pressure ulcers and moisture associated skin damage. This resource provides information useful information on critical preventative strategies. Read the resource here (348KB, pdf).
The Workshop’s collective immunity poster accompanies the guide “How to talk about COVID-19 vaccinations”: https://www.theworkshop.org.nz/publications/collective-immunity-covid-19-poster-1-2021
This guide is for people in health, science, policy and community roles who want to talk effectively about COVID-19 vaccinations to different groups of people who may be hesitant about getting vaccinated. The purpose of this guide is to: help you understand the foundations that underpin vaccine hesitancy and provide you will techniques and tools to effectively address vaccine hesitancy: https://www.theworkshop.org.nz/publications/how-to-talk-about-covid-19-vaccinations-building-trust-in-vaccination-a-guide-2021
This tip sheet is based on The Workshop’s guide, How to talk about COVID-19 Vaccinations: Building trust in vaccinations: https://www.theworkshop.org.nz/publications/how-to-talk-about-covid-vaccinations-tip-sheet-2021
This review of maternal deaths Learning from SARS-CoV-2-related and associated maternal deaths in the UK reflects significant learnings from the provision of care during COVID-19, including the use of virtual assessments, delay in women presenting for fear of contracting COVID-19 and misdiagnosis. It provides Aotearoa with useful information to consider if an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs.
This study outlines the full range of long-term health consequences of COVID-19 in patients who are discharged from hospital. The aim is to compare consequences between 6 months and 12 months after symptom onset among hospital survivors with COVID-19: https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2821%2901755-4
Paper from the King’s Fund looking at digital innovations and how they have transformed care, particularly through empowering patients, supporting stronger therapeutic relationships and effective teamworking across professional boundaries, and creating networks and communities to support patients. The paper also asks us to consider the rapid move to digital solutions during Covid-19 impact on staff and patients of the rapid transition to online services: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/technology-innovation-long-term-health-conditions
Millions around the globe have made a sudden transition to remote work amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Not surprisingly, this has some employers concerned about maintaining employee productivity. But what they really should be concerned about in this unprecedented situation is a longer-term risk: employee burnout: https://hbr.org/2020/04/3-tips-to-avoid-wfh-burnout
During COVID-19 restrictions in Aotearoa New Zealand, there are four important things maternity services can do to support women, as this poster describes.
This Australian paper outlines a number of key reasons why advanced care planning is an urgent priority, and should form a part of the health system’s COVID-19 response strategy. These include reducing the need for rationing, planning for surges in health care demand, respecting human rights, enabling proactive care coordination and leveraging societal change: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/imj.14937
The best way for health care workers to prevent infection with COVID-19 is through training and demonstrated competency in putting on and removing, also known as donning and doffing, personal protective equipment (PPE). This article has useful recommendations, tips and tricks from a human factors perspective for using PPE and includes an eight-minute demonstration video. Various methods of putting on and removing PPE may be acceptable; you should follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and your institution. Produced in America, the first three minutes is relevant to their context, however there are very useful instructions about general PPE donning and doffing, including a description of fit-checking N95 face masks. This video can be used as a general training resource for donning and doffing PPE but viewers from New Zealand should follow local and national protocols and policies: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMvcm2014809?query=C19&cid=DM92300_Catalyst_Registered_Users_and_InActive&bid=201907549
The Dukes' Sound Bites is a weekly podcast to help medics cope with added stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. While this sound bite is produced for trainee surgeons in the UK, there are some key concepts that are applicable across the whole health sector: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/keeping-well-dukes-soundbites-kindness-human-factors/id1504973332?i=1000471114917
A short resource from WHO for front line staff on managing stress: http://www.emro.who.int/mhps/frontline_worker.html
A short article with advice on reducing pressure injuries from prolonged wear of FFP3 masks (equivalent to N95 masks): https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1743
This registry will help us answer the question - how many women in New Zealand are affected by COVID-19 and how does this affect them and their babies? This registry is for all New Zealand women who are at any stage of pregnancy or have been pregnant in the last 6 weeks, with confirmed or suspected COVID-19: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/liggins/our-research/new-zealand-registry-of-covid-19-in-pregnancy.html
DHB COVID-19 workforce resources and FAQs (TAS) (2022)
DHB employees can find information on how DHBs will support them through COVID-19, including childcare solutions, a risk-assessment framework for vulnerable staff and frequently asked questions: https://tas.health.nz/employment-and-capability-building/employment-relations/dhb-covid-19-workforce-faqs-and-resources/
The art of communicating in PPE: Pantomime of Purposeful Expression (2022)
This short paper provides useful suggestions on ways to provide compassionate care whilst wearing PPE. Download the paper here (420KB, pdf).
Ministry of Health PPE guidance for Residential Care workers (2022)
This infection prevention and control guidance from the Ministry of Health is for those who work in the residential care setting and shows the best approach to putting on, taking off and disposing of PPE while at work. You can watch this video below or on YouTube.
Ministry of Health PPE guidance for Home Care workers (2022)
This Ministry of health infection prevention and control guidance is for home and community care workers and shows the best approach to putting on, taking off and disposing of PPE in a home care setting. You can watch the video below or on YouTube.
National COVID-19 "living guidelines" (2022)
We are aware that individual papers could potentially become outdated or superseded, therefore we recommend for information on caring for COVID-19 patients that you access this through the “living guidelines”, a High-priority, evidence-based clinical COVID-19 guidelines repository updated with the latest research: https://covid19evidence.net.au/#living-guidelines%20
Prepare Pacific - information, updates and COVID-19 advice in Pacific languages (2022)
This website has been set up to help get information out to our Pacific communities to help in the battle against COVID-19. Information, updates and advice are available in 8 Pacific languages, including a variety of videos. This website is an initiative of Counties Manukau Health, Auckland District Health Board, Waitematā District Health Board, Northland District Health Board and all their essential services working around the clock to help their people: https://preparepacific.nz/
Skin care considerations for the patient in prone positions (2022)
Nursing patients in prone position increases skin vulnerability to breakdown for example medical device- related pressure injuries, pressure ulcers and moisture associated skin damage. This resource provides information useful information on critical preventative strategies. Read the resource here (348KB, pdf).
Collective immunity COVID-19 poster (2021)
The Workshop’s collective immunity poster accompanies the guide “How to talk about COVID-19 vaccinations”: https://www.theworkshop.org.nz/publications/collective-immunity-covid-19-poster-1-2021
How to talk about COVID-19 vaccinations - Building trust in vaccination: a guide (2021)
This guide is for people in health, science, policy and community roles who want to talk effectively about COVID-19 vaccinations to different groups of people who may be hesitant about getting vaccinated. The purpose of this guide is to: help you understand the foundations that underpin vaccine hesitancy and provide you will techniques and tools to effectively address vaccine hesitancy: https://www.theworkshop.org.nz/publications/how-to-talk-about-covid-19-vaccinations-building-trust-in-vaccination-a-guide-2021
How to talk about COVID-19 vaccinations: tip sheet (2021)
This tip sheet is based on The Workshop’s guide, How to talk about COVID-19 Vaccinations: Building trust in vaccinations: https://www.theworkshop.org.nz/publications/how-to-talk-about-covid-vaccinations-tip-sheet-2021
Saving Lives, Improving Mothers' Care (MBRRACE - UK) (2021)
This review of maternal deaths Learning from SARS-CoV-2-related and associated maternal deaths in the UK reflects significant learnings from the provision of care during COVID-19, including the use of virtual assessments, delay in women presenting for fear of contracting COVID-19 and misdiagnosis. It provides Aotearoa with useful information to consider if an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs.
1-year outcomes in hospital survivors with COVID-19: a longitudinal cohort study (The Lancet) (2021)
This study outlines the full range of long-term health consequences of COVID-19 in patients who are discharged from hospital. The aim is to compare consequences between 6 months and 12 months after symptom onset among hospital survivors with COVID-19: https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2821%2901755-4
Technology and innovation for long-term health conditions (The King's Fund) (2020)
Paper from the King’s Fund looking at digital innovations and how they have transformed care, particularly through empowering patients, supporting stronger therapeutic relationships and effective teamworking across professional boundaries, and creating networks and communities to support patients. The paper also asks us to consider the rapid move to digital solutions during Covid-19 impact on staff and patients of the rapid transition to online services: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/technology-innovation-long-term-health-conditions
Three tips to avoid working from home burnout (Harvard Business Review) (2020)
Millions around the globe have made a sudden transition to remote work amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Not surprisingly, this has some employers concerned about maintaining employee productivity. But what they really should be concerned about in this unprecedented situation is a longer-term risk: employee burnout: https://hbr.org/2020/04/3-tips-to-avoid-wfh-burnout
Maternity support for women during COVID-19 (2020)
During COVID-19 restrictions in Aotearoa New Zealand, there are four important things maternity services can do to support women, as this poster describes.
Advance care planning in Australia during the COVID-19 outbreak: now more important than ever (2020)
This Australian paper outlines a number of key reasons why advanced care planning is an urgent priority, and should form a part of the health system’s COVID-19 response strategy. These include reducing the need for rationing, planning for surges in health care demand, respecting human rights, enabling proactive care coordination and leveraging societal change: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/imj.14937
Personal Protective Equipment and COVID-19 (The New England Journal of Medicine) (2020)
The best way for health care workers to prevent infection with COVID-19 is through training and demonstrated competency in putting on and removing, also known as donning and doffing, personal protective equipment (PPE). This article has useful recommendations, tips and tricks from a human factors perspective for using PPE and includes an eight-minute demonstration video. Various methods of putting on and removing PPE may be acceptable; you should follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and your institution. Produced in America, the first three minutes is relevant to their context, however there are very useful instructions about general PPE donning and doffing, including a description of fit-checking N95 face masks. This video can be used as a general training resource for donning and doffing PPE but viewers from New Zealand should follow local and national protocols and policies: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMvcm2014809?query=C19&cid=DM92300_Catalyst_Registered_Users_and_InActive&bid=201907549
Podcast: Keeping well – wellbeing tips for medical staff during COVID-19 with Prof Peter Brennan (The Dukes' Club for Colorectal Surgical Trainees) (2020)
The Dukes' Sound Bites is a weekly podcast to help medics cope with added stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. While this sound bite is produced for trainee surgeons in the UK, there are some key concepts that are applicable across the whole health sector: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/keeping-well-dukes-soundbites-kindness-human-factors/id1504973332?i=1000471114917
Mental health and psychosocial support: what is stress? (WHO)
A short resource from WHO for front line staff on managing stress: http://www.emro.who.int/mhps/frontline_worker.html
Skin damage with prolonged wear of FFP3 (equivalent of N95) masks (British Medical Journal) (2020)
A short article with advice on reducing pressure injuries from prolonged wear of FFP3 masks (equivalent to N95 masks): https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1743
New Zealand Registry of COVID-19 in Pregnancy (The University of Auckland)
This registry will help us answer the question - how many women in New Zealand are affected by COVID-19 and how does this affect them and their babies? This registry is for all New Zealand women who are at any stage of pregnancy or have been pregnant in the last 6 weeks, with confirmed or suspected COVID-19: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/liggins/our-research/new-zealand-registry-of-covid-19-in-pregnancy.html
Human factors and re-designing work solutions for COVID-19
A range of resources from the Clinical Human Factors Group including guidelines and podcasts for staff working under pressure: https://chfg.org/category/all-resources/covid-19/
The Clinical Human Factors Group has adapted its ‘Working under pressure’ document for non-clinical staff and those working remotely: https://chfg.org/working-under-pressure-for-non-clinical-staff-and-those-working-remotely/
Martin Bromiley OBE discusses simple tools and techniques with Prof Chris Frerk, Anaesthetist currently working in theatres and critical care areas, to help with the challenge of working in unfamiliar environments, across boundaries and with new procedures: https://chfg.org/podcast-interview-martin-bromiley-obe-and-prof-chris-frerk/
Human factors and working under pressure (Clinical Human Factors Group) (2022)
A range of resources from the Clinical Human Factors Group including guidelines and podcasts for staff working under pressure: https://chfg.org/category/all-resources/covid-19/
Working under pressure for non-clinical staff and those working remotely (Clinical Human Factors Group) (2020)
The Clinical Human Factors Group has adapted its ‘Working under pressure’ document for non-clinical staff and those working remotely: https://chfg.org/working-under-pressure-for-non-clinical-staff-and-those-working-remotely/
Podcast: Working under pressure – tips from staff working with COVID-19 patients (Clinical Human Factors Group)
Martin Bromiley OBE discusses simple tools and techniques with Prof Chris Frerk, Anaesthetist currently working in theatres and critical care areas, to help with the challenge of working in unfamiliar environments, across boundaries and with new procedures: https://chfg.org/podcast-interview-martin-bromiley-obe-and-prof-chris-frerk/
Resources for engaging with consumers
'Science in 5' is a video and audio series from WHO experts, providing the latest in COVID-19 science for consumption by the general public. New episodes are available every week on WHO's YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn channels and on all major podcasts platforms: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/media-resources/science-in-5
Information from the Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora on the use of face masks in the community: https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/covid-19-use-face-masks-community
We've secured enough COVID-19 vaccines for everyone in New Zealand. Find what you need to know about getting a vaccine, the safety and approval process, types of vaccine and our plan: https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines
Videos and infographics from the WHO on fabric and disposable masks, including how to make a three-layer fabric mask and how to launder this mask. These materials are regularly updated based on new scientific findings as the epidemic evolves: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks
Answers to frequently asked questions answered about pregnancy and COVID-19: https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/covid-19-pregnancy-1
Answers to frequently asked questions about breastfeeding and COVID-19: https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/covid-19-breastfeeding
The Nosy Crow is an independent children's book publishing company that worked with the illustrator of the Gruffalo books to create this free online book to help parents and carers explain COVID-19 to children: https://nosycrow.com/blog/released-today-free-information-book-explaining-coronavirus-children-illustrated-gruffalo-illustrator-axel-scheffler/
This five-minute video from the World Health Organisation is a clear and concise summary of everything we know about COVID-19 as at 15 June 2020. It could be used to help consumers understand the virus, the symptoms, diagnosis, its treatment and prevention. This video is also available on YouTube.
Public health experts and international organisations increasingly recommend wearing face masks to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Guidance recommends that older adults wear masks because they are an at risk group. Formal guidance and associated media coverage have focused on discomfort and communication issues, with little attention paid to the effect of wearing masks on the risk of falling: https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/371/bmj.m4133.full.pdf
The World Health Organization, Project Everyone and Tiger Aspect Productions have partnered on a public service announcement using global comedy star, Mr Bean. With cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise globally, “Mr Bean’s Essential COVID-19 Checklist” is a reminder to people about the importance of washing hands, physical distancing and demonstrating kindness to their neighbours: https://www.who.int/news/item/22-06-2020-the-world-health-organization-reminds-public-to-remain-vigilant-through-mr-bean-s-essential-covid-19-checklist
My Medicines has added information on medicines and COVID-19, which can be shared with consumers/patients. It covers information on medicines being investigated for treating or preventing COVID-19, and other medicines mentioned on the internet: https://www.mymedicines.nz/
The New Zealand College of Midwives provides regularly updated information/advice to pregnant women and midwives in relation to COVID-19: https://www.midwife.org.nz/
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) science conversation (WHO) (2022)
'Science in 5' is a video and audio series from WHO experts, providing the latest in COVID-19 science for consumption by the general public. New episodes are available every week on WHO's YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn channels and on all major podcasts platforms: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/media-resources/science-in-5
COVID-19: Use of face masks in the community (Ministry of Health) (2022)
Information from the Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora on the use of face masks in the community: https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/covid-19-use-face-masks-community
COVID-19: Vaccines (Ministry of Health) (2022)
We've secured enough COVID-19 vaccines for everyone in New Zealand. Find what you need to know about getting a vaccine, the safety and approval process, types of vaccine and our plan: https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines
Advice for the public: When and how to use face masks (World Health Organization) (2021)
Videos and infographics from the WHO on fabric and disposable masks, including how to make a three-layer fabric mask and how to launder this mask. These materials are regularly updated based on new scientific findings as the epidemic evolves: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks
Pregnancy during COVID-19 (KidsHealth) (2021)
Answers to frequently asked questions answered about pregnancy and COVID-19: https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/covid-19-pregnancy-1
Breastfeeding during COVID-19 (KidsHealth) (2020)
Answers to frequently asked questions about breastfeeding and COVID-19: https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/covid-19-breastfeeding
Coronavirus: a book for 5–9-year-old children (Nosy Crow) (2020)
The Nosy Crow is an independent children's book publishing company that worked with the illustrator of the Gruffalo books to create this free online book to help parents and carers explain COVID-19 to children: https://nosycrow.com/blog/released-today-free-information-book-explaining-coronavirus-children-illustrated-gruffalo-illustrator-axel-scheffler/
COVID-19: What we know so far (World Health Organization) (2020)
This five-minute video from the World Health Organisation is a clear and concise summary of everything we know about COVID-19 as at 15 June 2020. It could be used to help consumers understand the virus, the symptoms, diagnosis, its treatment and prevention. This video is also available on YouTube.
Face masks, vision, and risk of falls (BMJ) (2020)
Public health experts and international organisations increasingly recommend wearing face masks to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Guidance recommends that older adults wear masks because they are an at risk group. Formal guidance and associated media coverage have focused on discomfort and communication issues, with little attention paid to the effect of wearing masks on the risk of falling: https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/371/bmj.m4133.full.pdf
Mr Bean’s essential COVID-19 checklist (World Health Organization) (2020)
The World Health Organization, Project Everyone and Tiger Aspect Productions have partnered on a public service announcement using global comedy star, Mr Bean. With cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise globally, “Mr Bean’s Essential COVID-19 Checklist” is a reminder to people about the importance of washing hands, physical distancing and demonstrating kindness to their neighbours: https://www.who.int/news/item/22-06-2020-the-world-health-organization-reminds-public-to-remain-vigilant-through-mr-bean-s-essential-covid-19-checklist
Medicines and COVID-19, information for consumers/patients (My Medicines)
My Medicines has added information on medicines and COVID-19, which can be shared with consumers/patients. It covers information on medicines being investigated for treating or preventing COVID-19, and other medicines mentioned on the internet: https://www.mymedicines.nz/
COVID-19: updates for pregnant women (New Zealand College of Midwives)
The New Zealand College of Midwives provides regularly updated information/advice to pregnant women and midwives in relation to COVID-19: https://www.midwife.org.nz/
Last updated: 25th February, 2022
