Singh Ishani, Bista Navindra R, Maleku Kabin, Adhikari Prabhat, Hyanmikha Anu, Pradhan Santosh, Kharel Ramu
Medicine, Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu, NPL.
Anesthesiology, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, NPL.
Cureus. 2022 Aug 13;14(8):e27977. doi: 10.7759/cureus.27977. eCollection 2022 Aug.
Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic strained the already weak health system of Nepal, especially during the surge of the delta variant. A telephonic consultation service was rapidly established to provide free consultations to assist those in home isolation due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. In this study, we describe the process of establishing the hotline and share preliminary findings. During the peak of the delta wave in Nepal, the hotline was started by a local non-profit organization. Methodology We established the hotline with help of a private telecommunication company. The hotline was advertised on social media, radio, and newspapers. Healthcare workers were recruited and trained and the service was provided for free. Patient data were recorded and de-identified for analysis, monitoring, and evaluation. Results The majority of the callers were from Kathmandu valley, which includes three districts, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. Overall, 44% of the callers inquired about the clinical manifestations of COVID-19. On average, there were 75 calls each day between May 2021 and February 2022. The average call duration was three minutes and 42 seconds. Trained healthcare workers answered the calls for 15.5 hours a day. Conclusions Our work established the feasibility of a rapid hotline service in response to the pandemic causing high strain on the health system. Lessons learned from this experience can be useful for future disasters in Nepal and other places with similar health system strains.
背景 2019 冠状病毒病（COVID-19）大流行使尼泊尔本就薄弱的卫生系统不堪重负，尤其是在德尔塔变异株激增期间。为帮助因严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒 2 感染而居家隔离的人员，迅速建立了一项电话咨询服务，以提供免费咨询。在本研究中，我们描述了设立热线的过程并分享初步结果。在尼泊尔德尔塔浪潮高峰期，该热线由当地一家非营利组织启动。
方法 我们在一家私营电信公司的帮助下设立了热线。该热线在社交媒体、广播和报纸上进行了宣传。招募并培训了医护人员，服务免费提供。记录患者数据并进行去识别化处理，以便进行分析、监测和评估。
结果 大多数来电者来自加德满都谷地，该谷地包括加德满都、莱利普尔和巴克塔普尔三个区。总体而言，44%的来电者询问了 COVID-19 的临床表现。2021 年 5 月至 2022 年 2 月期间，平均每天有 75 个电话。平均通话时长为 3 分 42 秒。经过培训的医护人员每天接听 15.5 小时的电话。
结论 我们的工作证明了在应对给卫生系统造成巨大压力的大流行时，快速热线服务的可行性。从这一经验中吸取的教训可能对尼泊尔以及其他卫生系统面临类似压力的地方未来应对灾害有用。
