Rana, Ruhina

Conference presentation delivered at Global Conference on Person-Centred Care, Gothenburg, Sweden (May 2024)

Presented at the Research Cafe, September 23, 2021. During the current COVID-19 global pandemic, health care systems worldwide work tirelessly to meet the needs of citizens in their communities. Nurses, as the largest number of health care providers, are committed to the prevention and treatment of disease in communities. During a pandemic, it is essential that nurses be involved in shaping policy and developing strategies for global pandemic preparedness. The purpose of this study is to provide an opportunity for nurses to discuss the occupational and social issues that impact their lives and their nursing practice. The aim is to strengthen health systems by sharing and making transparent the experiences of nurses. Our study asked: “What is the lived experience of front-line nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic as told by nurses through photos?” Using photovoice, a participatory action approach, we collected photographs and reflections from 12 nurses that represent front-line experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The five themes that emerged included: The work of nursing; miscommunication, fatigue, resilience, and hope for the future. Using powerful images and narratives, nurses can advocate for system and policy changes that will influence patient care and the health care system. Participants are encouraged to use the results to lobby at the provincial level and affect policy change in British Columbia. <p>Related website https://www.nursephotovoice.com/nurses-voices </p> <p>Related material https://www.nnpbc.com/pdfs/policy-and-advocacy/covid/Capturing-Nurses-Experiences-during-COVID-19-Pandemic-using-Photovoice.pdf </p>

DC Research Café presentations September 23, 2021: Background: Routine screening of asymptomatic COVID-19-positive hospital personnel has not been implemented in BC. This study was conducted to address this shortcoming and support a culture of safety in Royal Columbian Hospital, a tertiary-care facility in a large urban centre. Methods: We recruited volunteers from hospital personnel on duty in high-risk wards to identify the point prevalence of asymptomatic COVID-19-positive staff. Testing was conducted using nasopharyngeal swabs processed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction assays. Results: Over 2 days of screening, 140 hospital personnel from two high-risk wards—the emergency department and intensive care unit/high acuity unit—volunteered for testing. All samples were negative for COVID-19. Conclusions: With strict use of personal protective equipment, routine screening for asymptomatic infection in hospital personnel who are regularly exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus is not warranted at Royal Columbian Hospital where community prevalence is held in check. Routine screening of on-duty asymptomatic COVID-19-positive hospital personnel is unlikely to be useful where there is 100% compliance with PPE use and community prevalence is controlled.

DC Research Cafe presentations May 27, 2021: "Parables of care: Using comics to enhance the impact of dementia care practice and research" begins at 2 minutes, 5 seconds and "Raising the curtain on the lived experiences with dementia" begins at 16 minutes, 15 seconds.