Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1368868
43 PATIENT AND CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE 400 attacks on healthcare workers, services linked to COVID-19 worldwide: 5 things to know By Kelly Gooch M ore than 1,100 attacks and threats of violence against medical workers, patients, healthcare facilities and transport took place worldwide in 2020, and about 400 appear to be specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report published in late February. e report — by Geneva, Switzerland-based Insecurity Insight and the University of California, Berkeley's Human Rights Center — examined attacks on healthcare using the World Health Organization's definition: "any act of verbal or physical violence, threat of violence or other psychological violence, or obstruction that interferes with the availabil- ity, access and delivery of curative and/or preventive health services." From their analysis, researchers created an interactive map of the attacks based on data from local and national media, nongov- ernmental organization reports and social media platforms. Five things to know: 1. Analysts said the attacks on healthcare have impeded COVID-19 response in several countries and include individual and collective assaults against healthcare workers caring for ill people, as well as coercion and punishment by security forces for speaking up about people's healthcare needs. 2. Attacks on healthcare occurred across the U.S. For example, in April 2020, a nurse in Chicago reportedly was fired aer emailing colleagues about needing a safer mask, ac- cording to the interactive map. e map also showed incidents in New York City, Oregon, Texas and Washington state. 3. In India, 150 healthcare attacks were re- ported. Analysts said many involved violence against medical personnel and their families. 4. In Mexico, 65 healthcare attacks were reported from January 2020 through Septem- ber 2020. Analysts said 49 of them apparently were related to COVID-19. 5. In Libya, the United Nations reported at least 21 attacks against healthcare workers and facilities from April 1, 2020, to June 30, 2020, according to analysts. n Spectrum Health ends probe of insensitive Instagram posts, takes 'corrective action' By Molly Gamble S pectrum Health said it has concluded its investigation and taken "corrective action" after photos taken in op- erating rooms accompanied by insensitive comments were posted to an Instagram account linked to 35 medical residents at the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based system. A Spectrum spokesperson said patients have been informed of the incidents. Becker's did not receive a response about what the corrective measures taken with employees involved in the since-deactivated Instagram account entailed. WOOD-TV, the NBC affiliate for Grand Rapids, aired a segment about the OB-GYN residents' Instagram account March 12. The account was not officially affiliated with 14-hospital Spectrum Health, although the residents were employees of the system, and photos were taken in Spec- trum operating rooms. Since-deleted posts included a photo of a physician holding an organ removed in a cancer operation. "The other game we play in the OR is guess that weight," the poster of the organ picture wrote. "It applies to much more than just babies. As always, 'Price is Right' rules apply so if you go over then you're out!" At least one patient was visible in a post on the operating table. Spectrum Health shared the following statement with Becker's March 24: "We completed a thorough and detailed investigation of the situation involving inappropriate posts on an Instagram account not officially connected to Spectrum Health. Our team members are expected to follow strict guidelines regarding patient confidentiality and social media use, and this incident did not reflect those standards. "We have informed the patients about this incident and have taken corrective action with the team members in- volved in the posts. We deeply regret this incident oc- curred despite strong policies and guidelines in place. We are working to further strengthen our educational programs to ensure this type of situation does not hap- pen again." n