In order to improve hygiene procedures in the emergency radiology room, after conducting radiological exams in patients suspected of COVID19, a bibliographic, observation and experiential research was carried out. The understanding of this procedure allowed to obtain a set of improvements through some reorganization, which minimized the risk of transmission between the professionals involved and the patients. Experiential observation provided the elaboration of an adjustable plan to this situation in an emergency context taking into account their particularities and needs.

In the current pandemic times for SARS-CoV-2, several challenges are posed to the scientific community. With regard to the implementation of treatments for the elderly with cancer, despite the high complexity in its approach, a variable (SARS-CoV-2) now appears that represents a high impact on multidisciplinary decision-making processes when deciding which therapeutic strategies to use. In accordance with various international declarations, this article aims to sensitize the national medical community to the problems of the elderly with cancer regarding its approach in pandemic times of the COVID-19.

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important cause of liver disease, presenting several clinical manifestations. The discovery of direct acting antivirals has revolutionized the treatment of this infection, these new antivirals allowed the eradication of the virus in more than 95% of the cases. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic changed the normal functioning of health services, and this could compromise this goal. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients treated and followed in a district hospital between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020. Results: We treated 267 patients, 77.9% men, the average age being 50 years old. History of intravenous drug use was de risk factor in 55%. Genotype 1 was the most common (64%), 27% had liver cirrhosis and 32% had been submitted to other treatments. The average of the waiting time for treatment was 3.19 months, before the pandemic it was 3.11 months and in 2020 it was 4.15 months, this difference is statistically significant (p = 0.017). The number of patients treated over the years has been decreasing. The most used treatment was ledispasvir/ sofosbuvir. The sustained virological response was 99%. Patients were discharged in 70% of the cases. Discussion: This retrospective study is the first, at national level, to evaluate the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the treatment of HCV infection. It showed an increase in the waiting time for treatment in the year 2020. The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on this pathology is still unclear. Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to an increase in the waiting time for treatment and a decrease in the number of patients with HCV infection treated, making it difficult to eradicate the virus

The suspension of on-site (teaching and non-teaching) activities in Higher Education disrupted the development of the school year in most Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), with a strong impact on the academic community. This paper presents the results of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Higher Institute of Administration and Languages, located on the island of Madeira, Portugal. With the aim of assessing the effect of the pandemic on the academic pathway, an analysis of the decisions taken amid the pandemic, as well as the strategies adopted to mitigate the situation, was developed. For this purpose, in terms of methodology, questionnaires were addressed to the academic population, between March and April 2020. The perspectives of teachers, students, and non-teaching staff were analyzed regarding the effects of this situation on the education path and the strategies developed and measures implemented. This is a descriptive, exploratory study. Data werecollected by direct contact with the HEI’s leaders, and the questionnaire was conducted online through anon-probabilityconvenience sample. It was found that most students only used the internet for communication or research and had never joined an online training course. The chosen platform proved to be appropriate to the needs, resulting in satisfaction. Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that the measures taken were appropriate to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the students’ teaching, learning, and assessment process, and to ensure continuity and development of teaching and research activities. Communication was effective. 

The world was dominated by a pandemic, COVID-19, with devastating health and economic impacts, increasing daily the number of infected and unemployed people. It was necessary to modify procedures in order to mitigate the spread of the virus. This paper aims to analyze the impact of the pandemic in terms of business strategy in an accounting firm, based in Madeira, during the pandemic caused by COVID-19. The development of this research aims to determine how a pandemic can influence business strategy at the level of internal communication, ensuring its continuity in the market. Thus,the article seeks to analyze the strategic changes to communication in a period before and after COVID-19. Through a questionnaire, it was possible to verify that it was necessary to change the way in which employees communicate with each other, as well as with managers, since, in the post-COVID-19 period, they started a telework regime and had to research, use and adapt themselves to digital media. Limitations and future suggestions are presented at the end of the article.

This research shows the most outstanding challenges experienced by tourism in the city of Lago Agrio after the passage of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the measures to be employed to promote recovery after the crisis. For the development of this work, qualitative research with a documentary approach was carried out, based on primary and secondary information sources that provide data regarding the impact of the coronavirus on tourism; likewise, a situational diagnosis was carried out to determine the current situation of the canton, which facilitated the identification of favorable aspects and adverse circumstances surrounding the city in question. Thanks to the interpretation obtained after the application of qualitative tools for the treatment of information, it is concluded that the lack of planning in the tourism field minimizes the possibilities of reopening tourism in the city. Finally, an action plan was elaborated, with strategies aimed at the post-pandemic tourism reactivation of Lago Agrio district, within the framework of sustainability, and for the benefit of its stakeholders.

The present work is based on observations and experiences of the authors, professors and a bibliographical survey on the topic addressed, in order to collaborate with discussions on teaching and the use of technologies during the period of the world pandemic caused by Covid-19, witch is reverberated in a transnational dimension, affecting the global scenario. The years 2020/2021 were characterized by different feelings arising from the pandemic situation. Adequacy and security protocols were created to prevent the spread of the virus. Amidst this, structural crises were being projected with greater intensity and affected the economic system, health, interpersonal relationships, education and all other aspects of human existence. More specifically, in the educational field, teachers and students needed to adapt to the moment of replacement of on-site classes by the new configuration classes and hybrid teaching. The literature points out that technologies expand the possibilities of teaching and learning, considering that the subjects in their daily lives are linked to the different perspectives of their use and also because they provide the student with a relationship that goes beyond passivity, when used with specific pedagogical objectives. However, remote or hybrid education does not replace teacher-student interaction and its relationships. Considering that the pandemic process highlighted the social weaknesses of all nations, the need for greater investments in education is highlighted, with equipment and training for students and teachers to be able to concretely promote significant learning from the use of technologies.

Em de março de 2020, Portugal, tal como o resto do mundo, teve pela frente o desafio de uma pandemia. Na resposta à pandemia, os cuidados hospitalares estiveram no epicentro. Na maioria dos países e regiões atingidas pelo COVID-19, as unidades hospitalares atingiram a sua capacidade máxima, a qual, associada a uma severa escassez de recursos humanos colocou um desafio sem precedentes à gestão hospitalar. O contexto pandémico teve um forte impacto na produção hospitalar do SNS, registando-se uma redução da atividade hospitalar. Devido ao contexto de elevada complexidade e incerteza decorrente da pandemia por COVID-19, os domínios do acesso, eficiência e qualidade dos cuidados hospitalares estiveram debaixo de foco. O presente estudo teve como objetivo central verificar o efeito da pandemia de COVID19 no desempenho da gestão dos cuidados hospitalares do SNS. E por forma, a aprofundar o conhecimento dos efeitos da pandemia, realizou-se uma análise do seu impacto nos resultados de eficiência técnica, nos diferentes modelos de organização e de gestão das unidades hospitalares, bem como nas estratégias adotadas para fazer face à pandemia. Por último, realizou-se uma análise à influência da qualidade dos cuidados hospitalares e da disponibilidade de recursos nos resultados eficiência. A amostra destes estudo foi composta por 32 unidades hospitalares, das quais 31 EPE (21 Centros Hospitalares e 11 Hospitais singulares) e uma PPP. Metodologicamente, na componente quantitativa do estudo, recorreu-se à técnica Data Envelopment Analisys para apurar os resultados de eficiência técnica, e à correlação de Sperman e à Regressão Linear Múltipla para verificar o efeito da qualidade dos cuidados hospitalares na eficiência. Para verificar efeitos da disponibilidade de recursos nos resultados eficiência utilizou-se a regressão de Tobit. Na componente qualitativa do estudo, recorreu-se a entrevistas semiestruturadas, analisadas com base na análise de conteúdo para avaliar a perceção dos entrevistados, relativamente, a fatores que influenciaram a eficiência, qualidade dos cuidados e quais as estratégias adotadas durante a pandemia. Como principais resultados, verificou-se que: i) no primeiro ano da pandemia, o score de eficiência técnica das unidades hospitalares variou entre 0,475 e 1,205, e no segundo ano a variação foi entre 0,508 e 1,219. Não existindo diferenças significativas na eficiência técnica média entre o período pré-pandémico (0,840) e o período pandémico (0,847); ii) as principais estratégias para manter a produção hospitalar foram a realocação de espaços físicos, o uso da telemedicina, o alargamento de horários e a colaboração com entidades externas, como, entidades privadas e militares para aumentar a capacidade de resposta; iii) os indicadores de qualidade hospitalar interagiram de maneira complexa durante a pandemia, verificou-se uma associação positiva entre cirurgias de fraturas da anca nas 48h e eficiência técnica hospitalar; iv) verificou-se uma relação positiva entre o número de médicos e a eficiência técnica; e v) o modelo organizacional dos Centros Hospitalares teve uma menor heterogeneidade nos scores de eficiência técnica em relação ao modelo hospitalar, e modelo de gestão EPE, durante o período pandémico, a eficiência foi estável. Como principais conclusões foi que se verificou que durante a pandemia, a eficiência técnica das unidades hospitalares não variou, significativamente, em relação ao período pré-pandémico. As principais estratégias para manter a produção hospitalar foram a realocação de espaços físicos, o uso da telemedicina, o alargamento de horários e colaboração com entidades externas. Verificou-se que a qualidade dos cuidados hospitalares teve influência na eficiência, existindo uma associação entre cirurgias de fraturas da anca e eficiência. Em relação aos recursos humanos verificou-se que durante a pandemia, houve um aumento no número de médicos, enfermeiros e camas hospitalares a nível nacional, estes recursos seguiram um padrão de concentração em áreas urbanas. As unidades hospitalares com maior eficiência técnica situaram-se, predominantemente, na zona norte, o que refletiu uma maior resiliência desses hospitais. Verificou-se uma relação positiva entre o número de médicos e a eficiência técnica, sendo que o aumento do número de médicos está associado a um aumento da eficiência das unidades hospitalares. E por último, confirmou que o modelo de organização dos hospitais influenciou o desempenho das unidades hospitalares, durante o período de pandemia. O modelo organizacional dos Centros Hospitalares teve uma menor heterogeneidade nos scores de eficiência técnica em relação ao modelo hospitalar, sugerindo que a estrutura dos centros hospitalares promove mais consistência na eficiência. Em relação ao modelo de gestão EPE conclui-se que durante o período pandémico, a eficiência foi estável, existindo uma ligeira redução das unidades ineficientes.

The spread of Coronavirus is causing in the society all around the world a considerable degree of fear, worry and concern and particularly among healthcare workers that are at increased risk for infection. This paper gathers the strategy/guidelines to reduce the contamination in Intensive care unit (ICU) and in all the hospital environment. The ASHRAE and REHVA guidelines applied the UV-C Lamps, Pressure control filtration, Restroom actions and Humidity control to reduce the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in ICU. The role of infection control in the design of hospitals is increasing every day. This paper highlights the role of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning minimizing the risk of infection from airborne transmission within the built environment through the application of best practices.