Authors: Kok Wei Poh, Pei Wen Tan, Ji Yin Wong, Cheng Huong Ngan, Yin Jie Ng, Raymund Dass, Tiang Koi Ng.

ABSTRACT
Background
Managing potential COVID-19 patients is challenging when resources were limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive parameters and management strategy for potential COVID-19 cases who are without contact or travelling history.

Methods
Retrospective study of potential COVID-19 patients without direct contact or travelling history, admitted to Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban. Patients were riskstratified to either low or medium risk and admitted to designated wards, respectively. They were categorised to severe acute respiratory infection (SARI); influenzalike illness (ILI); dengue fever or viral fever like (DVF); or none. Clinical, laboratory and radiological variables were evaluated for predictive value. Positive cases were isolated to negative pressure isolation rooms and the neighbouring patients underwent surveillance.

Results
812 patients were studied, with 478 fulfilled SARI, ILI, and DVF. 18 (2.2%) of them were COVID-19 positive, and all patients in “none” group were negative. Hypoxia without dyspnoea and medium risk criteria were significant in predicting COVID-19 with p<0.01 (OR 7.18; 95% CI 2.70, 19.13) and p<0.01 (OR 35.77; 95% CI 11.25, 113.71) respectively. Absolute lymphocyte count showed no predictive value (P=0.88 95% CI -0.78, 0.90). Absolute neutrophil count ≥10 x10^9/L cells (OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.01, 0.87) helped to exclude COVID-19. Chest radiograph of 16 (88.9%) COVID-19 patients showed heterogeneous Ill-defined opacities. No nosocomial transmission occurred during this study period.

Conclusion / Implication
Initial attention to predictive parameter, riskstratification, clinical grouping strategy, and proper ward management helps in containment of COVID-19 and resources management without risk of nosocomial transmission.

Citation: IEJSME 2020 14 (3): 16-29

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.14.3.16

Authors: Chang Angelna, Yung Wei Lai, Swee Geok Lim

ABSTRACT

Background: Emotional intelligence (EI) is defined as the comprehension, use and the management of one’s emotions in a positive manner to reduce stress, communicate efficiently, empathise with others, overcome challenges, and resolve conflicts. EI is important among nurses as it influences their decision making abilities, clinical judgment, and well-being that directly affect the quality of patient care and outcome.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the EI level and its association with demographic variables among nurses in a private hospital in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study involving 130 nurses at one of the private hospitals in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, through simple random sampling. Questionnaire consists of Part A (demographic data) and Part B (Wong and Law’s Emotional Intelligence scale (WLEIS), self-assessment tool that consists of 16 items on four components inclusive of self-emotions appraisal (SEA), regulation of emotion (ROE), use of emotion (UOE), and other’s emotion appraisal (OEA) on a set of 7-Likert scale).

Results: Findings showed that 63.1% (n = 82) scored high EI. Nurses’ age and years of nursing experience are significantly associated with their level of EI. No association is found on the nurses’ level of EI with their gender, ethnicity, highest nursing education level, marital status, and current work setting. The null hypothesis was rejected.

Conclusion: Findings showed that most of the nurses have high EI. There is a significant association between the level of EI and demographic variables such as age and years of nursing experience.

Citation: IEJSME 2020 14 (3): 30-44

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.14.3.30