Review of Israel's action and response during the COVID-19 pandemic and tabletop exercise for the evaluation of readiness and resilience-lessons learned 2020-2021.

Background: Reevaluating response plans is essential to ensuring consistent readiness and resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic. The "During Action Review" and Tabletop (DART) methodology provides a retrospective and prospective assessment to inform the adaptive response. Israel introduced COVID-19 vaccinations in December 2020 and was the first country to implement booster vaccination to address waning immunity and surges caused by new variants.

Evaluation of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Administered via Videoconference.

Objectives: Telemedicine provides much potential for promoting health care. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a screening tool for identifying mild cognitive impairment. This study aims to evaluate the agreement between MoCA assessed face-to-face vs via videoconference using a mobile phone.

A new metabolic syndrome prediction model for self-evaluation as a primary screening tool in an apparently MetS-free population.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing global public health concern associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to establish a simple self-evaluated prediction model to identify MetS.

Methods: A cross-sectional study based on the American National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database was performed.

Assessing the country-level involvement of nurses in COVID-19 vaccination campaigns: A qualitative study.

Background: As each country individually manages the COVID-19 pandemic, mass vaccination campaigns have varied considerably. Implementation campaigns often depend on nurses; however, nurses are not consistently involved in higher-level planning, prioritization, and policy development decisions. This study aimed to examine the involvement and engagement of nurses in country-level COVID-19 mass vaccination policies and practices in 10 Office of Economic Cooperation and Development countries, identify barriers and factors to enhancing the engagement of nurses in the evidence-informed mass vaccination decision-making processes, and suggest areas for improvement.

Predictors of reinfection with pre-Omicron and Omicron variants of concern among individuals who recovered from COVID-19 in the first year of the pandemic.

Objectives: The predictors of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection are unclear. We examined predictors of reinfection with pre-Omicron and Omicron variants among COVID-19-recovered individuals.

Methods: Randomly selected COVID-19-recovered patients (N = 1004) who donated convalescent plasma during 2020 were interviewed between August 2021 and March 2022 regarding COVID-19 vaccination and laboratory-proven reinfection.

Fast vs. Regular Track for Lung and Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis-Time from Initial Finding to Final Diagnosis and Patient Survival.

Background: Health systems around the world have begun implementing unique tracks to expedite diagnosis and improve survival of patients with suspected cancers. This study aimed to compare characteristics and survival between patients diagnosed by way of fast and regular diagnostic tracks.

Methods: A historical cohort study of patients (age ≥ 18) diagnosed with lung or pancreatic cancers between 09/2017 and 03/2020 on a fast diagnostic track and treated in a tertiary hospital versus a random sample of patients with the same cancer types who began treatment in the hospital over the same period of time after being diagnosed utilizing the regular track in the community.

Multicenter Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance among Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Bloodstream Infections in Ghana.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Gram-negative bacteria-causing bloodstream infections (BSIs), such as and non-typhoidal (NTS), is a major public health concern. Nonetheless, AMR surveillance remains scarce in sub-Saharan Africa, where BSI treatment is largely empirical. The aim of the study was to determine the distribution and AMR patterns of BSI-causing NTS, , and other Gram-negative bacteria in Ghana.

Determinants of Direct Costs of HIV-1 Outpatient Care in Israel.

HIV-1 patients place an economic burden on the health system. The objectives of this study were to estimate the direct HIV-1 costs and cost-related factors of HIV-1 patients in Israel and identify cost predictors. We conducted a retrospective study of randomly selected HIV-1 patients aged ≥18 who visited a large outpatient clinic in 2015 and/or 2019.

Organizational Commitment Is Negatively Associated with Burnout Among Nephrology Nurses.

This study examines the association between burnout and organizational commitment in nephrology nurses working in hemodialysis. A cross-sectional study of all nurses working in a hospital hemodialysis unit was conducted. Low to medium level of burnout and a high level of organizational commitment were documented.

A nationwide analysis of population group differences in the COVID-19 epidemic in Israel, February 2020-February 2021.

Background: Social inequalities affect the COVID-19 burden and vaccine uptake. The aim of this study was to explore inequalities in the incidence and mortality rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine uptake in various sociodemographic and population group strata in Israel.

Methods: We analysed nationwide publicly available, aggregated data on PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 deaths between March 2020 and February 2021, as well as the first three months of COVID-19 immunisation according to sociodemographics, including population group and residential socioeconomic status (SES).

Understanding Physicians' Perceptions of Overuse of Health Services in Oncology.

Overuse rates in oncology are high, but areas of possible improvement exist for reducing it and improving quality of care. This study explores perceptions and experiences of oncologists in Israel regarding overuse of health services within oncology. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted focusing on causes of overuse, facilitators for reduction, and suggestions for improvement.

Too Much Cancer Care?: Nurses' Perspectives on the Unnecessary Use of Oncology Services.

Background: "Unnecessary use of health services" refers to care that does not add value for patients and can lead to physical, emotional, and economical harm. High rates of overuse have been reported within oncology, and patients experience its consequences.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore perceptions and experiences of oncology nurses regarding unnecessary use of oncology services.

Exploring community healthcare providers' perceptions on antimicrobial resistance.

Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a threat to global health, making previously curable diseases disabling or incurable. Human misuse of antimicrobials exacerbates the issue. As stewards to the public and prescribers of antimicrobials, healthcare providers are vital to reducing AMR, thus their perceptions and experiences around the issue must be explored.

Nurses' Perceptions on the Overuse of Health Services: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: To examine whether nurses in Israel think there is overuse of health services, the reasons behind the issue, and ways to reduce the overuse.

Design: This was a qualitative study using semistructured interviews. A convenience sample of community care nurses from health clinics across Israel was interviewed.