Audiological profile of adult Long COVID patients.

Introduction: Hearing loss is one of the self-reported symptoms of Long COVID patients, however data from objective and subjective audiological tests demonstrating diminished hearing in Long COVID patients has not been published.

Materials And Methods: Respondents of a large Long COVID online survey were invited to the ENT-department for an otologic exam. The participants were split into three groups based on their history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and persistence of symptoms.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a male adult with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of viral pneumonia. Here we report a case of a 52 year old male who presented with a spontaneous pneumomediastinum in COVID-19 pneumonia, followed by a severe course of disease. We discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this association as well as its possible clinical implications as a marker of disease severity in COVID-19.

Redesigning mental healthcare delivery: is there an effect on organizational climate?

Objective: Many studies have investigated the effect of redesign on operational performance; fewer studies have evaluated the effects on employees' perceptions of their working environment (organizational climate). Some authors state that redesign will lead to poorer organizational climate, while others state the opposite. The goal of this study was to empirically investigate this relation.

Application of lean thinking to health care: issues and observations.

Background: Incidents and quality problems are a prime cause why health care leaders are calling to redesign health care delivery. One of the concepts used is lean thinking. Yet, lean often leads to resistance.

Care programmes and integrated care pathways.

Purpose: The article discusses how care programmes and integrated care pathways can be linked, finding ways to improve healthcare process professional and logistical quality from a supply chain and a network point-of-view.

Design/methodology/approach: The authors argue that owing to cost containment goals and increasing healthcare demand, healthcare services systems are challenged to improve service quality, whilst at the same time finding ways to improve delivery processes. It explores if the combination of two instruments, care programmes and integrated care pathways, can meet both goals.