1.The Challenges and Strategies in Managing Intensive Care Unit for COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia
Calvin Ke-Wen Wong ; Chii-Chii Chew ; E-Li Leong ; Lip-Han Chia ; Biing-Horng Lee ; Andrew-Prakash Anthonysammy ; Mageswary Gobalan ; Kah-Shuen Thong ; Siti-Rohayah Sulaiman ; Kit-Weng Foong
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2022;18(No.1):331-336
The number of patients requiring intensive care has surged since the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This had rendered the intensive care unit (ICU) a huge challenge not only to provide care for the existing patients but also to support the COVID-19 patients. The ICU was restructured to ensure strict adherence to the infection control guidelines.
The aspects of change in the ICU had been ranging from the clinical operation, medication equipment and facilities,
medications supply, and staffing. Strategies required upon implementation of change include having contingency
plans, being innovative, getting the collaboration from other ICUs, exchanging information, getting support from the
health policymakers, and ensuring the safety of the healthcare workers. This article aimed to share the experience of
challenges and strategies in managing an ICU for the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.
2.Burnout Among Critical Care Personnel In Intensive Care Unit During COVID-19 Pandemic In A Malaysian Tertiary Hospital
E-Li LEONG ; Chii-Chii CHEW ; Ju-Ying ANG ; Ce-Cin GOH ; Audrey Hee-Mun LEOW ; Keren Seok-Luan LIM ; Muhammad-Khaidir MOHD SHAFFIE ; Kit-Weng FOONG
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.2):104-111
Introduction: During the early phase of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), there were various uncertainties, which had a detrimental impact on the prevalence of burnout among critical care personnel worldwide. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of burnout and its associated factors in critical care personnel involved in the COVID-19
pandemic.
Methods: This is a single-center, cross-sectional study with 81 critical care personnel for a survey using Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with personal burnout.
Results: More than half of the respondents were female (60.5%) over the age of 30 (61.7%), and 54.3% were medical doctors. A large number (72.8%) of the respondents experienced personal burnout, with twothirds of them experiencing work-related (65.4%) and client-related burnout (59.3%). Personal burnout was found to be associated with those who had children [OR: 11.31 (1.90, 67.37), p = 0.008], stayed with family, relatives, or friends [OR: 9.40 (1.27, 69.46), p = 0.028], were medical doctors [OR: 26.52 (2.79, 252.22), p = 0.004], worked more than 45 hours per week [OR: 8.68 (1.45, 58.09), p = 0.018], and previously never had COVID-19 viral test
[OR: 6.93 (1.17, 40.89), p = 0.033].
Conclusion: Overall, more than half of the critical care personnel experienced burnout. There were possible associations between personal burnout with social characteristics such as having children and living with family, relatives, or friends, and occupational characteristics such as being a medical doctor, long working hours, and previously never had COVID-19 viral test.