scholarly journals Patient’s safety culture among Tunisian healthcare workers: results of a cross sectional study in university hospital

Author(s):  
Asma Ben Cheikh ◽  
Nabiha Bouafia ◽  
Mohamed Mahjoub ◽  
Olfa Ezzi ◽  
Amel Nouira ◽  
...  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 803-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Vimercati ◽  
Luigi De Maria ◽  
Francesca Mansi ◽  
Antonio Caputi ◽  
Giovanni M. Ferri ◽  
...  

Background: Thyroid diseases occur more frequently in people exposed to ionizing radiation, but the relationship between occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and thyroid pathologies still remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of thyroid diseases in healthcare workers exposed to low-level ionizing radiation compared with a control group working at the University Hospital of Bari, Southern Italy, and living in the same geographical area, characterized by mild iodine deficiency. Methods: We ran a cross-sectional study to investigate whether healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation had a higher prevalence of thyroid diseases. Four hundred and forty-four exposed healthcare workers (241 more exposed, or “A Category”, and 203 less exposed, or “B Category”) and 614 nonexposed healthcare workers were enrolled during a routine examination at the Occupational Health Unit. They were asked to fill in an anamnestic questionnaire and undergo a physical examination, serum determination of fT3, fT4 and TSH, anti-TPO ab and anti-TG ab and ultrasound neck scan. Thyroid nodules were submitted to fine needle aspiration biopsy when indicated. Results: The prevalence of thyroid diseases was statistically higher in the exposed workers compared to controls (40% vs 29%, adPR 1.65; IC95% 1.34-2.07). In particular, the thyroid nodularity prevalence in the exposed group was approximately twice as high as that in the controls (29% vs 13%; adPR 2.83; IC95% 2.12-3.8). No statistically significant association was found between exposure to ionizing radiation and other thyroid diseases. Conclusion: In our study, mild ionizing radiation-exposed healthcare workers had a statistically higher prevalence of thyroid diseases than the control group. The results are likely due to a closer and more meticulous health surveillance programme carried out in the ionising radiation-exposed workers, allowing them to identify thyroid alterations earlier than non-exposed health staff.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (spe) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitoria Sandri Pedroni ◽  
Helga Geremia Gouveia ◽  
Letícia Becker Vieira ◽  
Wiliam Wegner ◽  
Adriana Catarina de Souza Oliveira ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the safety culture of the patient from the perspective of nurses and physicians working in the maternal-child area. Method: A cross-sectional study conducted from January to September 2018 with 41 professionals of the Obstetrics Center and obstetric hospitalization of a university hospital in the south of the country. The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture was used, with 12 dimensions of the safety culture, measured by means of a general score (0 to 10) and of positive answer percentages to assess strengths and weaknesses. Results: The action of supervisors/bosses can be considered a strength of patient safety, with 78.2% of positive answers; already regarding communication, it was considered a fragility, punctuating 13.24%. The general safety grade of the patient assigned to the work’s unit was very good, in a confidence interval of 95%. Conclusion: With the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of patient safety, it is possible to plan improvement actions. We emphasize that the non-punitive approach is essential.


Author(s):  
Kjell Torén ◽  
Linus Schiöler ◽  
Nancy P. Nenonen ◽  
Charles Hannoun ◽  
Anette Roth ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Norovirus outbreaks cause severe medico-socio-economic problems affecting healthcare workers and patients. The aim of the study was to investigate prevalence of norovirus infection and risk factors for infection in healthcare workers during nosocomial outbreaks. Methods A cross-sectional study of norovirus infections in healthcare workers was performed in seven outbreak wards in a large university hospital. Packs (swab for rectal sampling, and questionnaire) were posted to healthcare workers on notification of a ward outbreak. Rectal samples were examined with norovirus-specific real-time PCR. Replies from questionnaires were analysed using logistic regression models with norovirus genogroup (G)II positive findings as dependent variable. The results are expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses (1040 nucleotides) were used to characterize norovirus strains from healthcare workers. Cluster analyses included norovirus GII.4 strains detected in ward patients during the ongoing outbreaks. Results Of 308 packs issued to healthcare workers, 129 (42%) were returned. norovirus GII was detected in 26 healthcare workers (20.2%). Work in cohort care (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.4–16.3), work in wards for patients with dementia (OR 13.2, 95% CI 1.01–170.7), and having diarrhoea, loose stools or other gastrointestinal symptoms the last week (OR 7.7, 95% CI 2.5–27.2) were associated with increased norovirus prevalence in healthcare workers. Sequencing revealed norovirus GII.4 in healthcare workers samples, and strains detected in healthcare workers and ward patients during a given ward outbreak showed ≥ 99% similarity. Conclusion Norovirus positive findings in healthcare workers were strongly associated with symptomatic infection, close contact with sick patients, and dementia nursing.


Author(s):  
Aziz Ogutlu ◽  
Oguz Karabay ◽  
Unal Erkorkmaz ◽  
Ertugrul Guclu ◽  
Seher Sen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the specific risk factors for the transmission of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) among healthcare workers in different campuses of a university hospital and to reveal the risk factors for antibody positivity. Methods In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 2988 (82%) of 3620 healthcare workers in a university hospital participated. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) antibody was investigated using serum from healthcare workers who underwent COVID-19 antibody testing. The antibody test results of the participants were evaluated based on their work campus, their profession and their workplace. The statistical significance level was p < 0.05 in all analyses. Results Of the participants in this study, 108 (3.6%) were antibody positive, and 2880 (96.4%) were negative. Antibody positivity rates were greater in nurses compared with other healthcare workers (p < 0.001). Regarding workplace, antibody positivity was greater in those working in intensive care compared to those working in other locations (p < 0.001). Conclusions Healthcare workers are at the highest risk of being infected with COVID-19. Those who have a higher risk of infection among healthcare workers and those working in high-risk areas should be vaccinated early and use personal protective equipment during the pandemic. Trial Registration: Retrospective permission was obtained from both the local ethics committee and the Turkish Ministry of Health for this study (IRB No:71522473/050.01.04/370, Date: 05.20.2020).


Author(s):  
Taís Freire Galvão ◽  
Marcélia Célia Couteiro Lopes ◽  
Carmen Conceição Carrilho Oliva ◽  
Maria Elizete de Almeida Araújo ◽  
Marcus Tolentino Silva

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess patient safety culture in a university hospital. Method: cross-sectional study with data collection through the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture applied in electronic device. A total of 381 employees were interviewed, corresponding to 46% of the sum of eligible professionals. Data were analyzed descriptively. the Cronbach’s alpha was used to calculate the frequency and reliability. Results: most were women (73%) from the nursing area (50%) and with direct contact with patients (82%). The composites related to “teamwork within units” (58%, α=0.68), “organizational learning - continuous improvement” (58%, α=0.63), “supervisor/manager expectations and actions promoting patient safety” (56%, α=0.73) had higher positive responses. Nine composites had low positive responses, with emphasis on “nonpunitive response to error” (18%, α=0.40). Only the item “in this unit, people treat each other with respect” had positive response above 70%. The patient safety assessment in the work unit was positive for 36% of employees, however only 22% reported events in past year. Conclusion: the findings revealed weaknesses in the safety culture at the hospital, with emphasis on culpability.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aziz Ogutlu ◽  
Oguz Karabay ◽  
Unal Erkorkmaz ◽  
Ertugrul Guclu ◽  
Seher Sen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In this study, it is aimed to investigate the specific risk factors for the transmission of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) among healthcare workers in different campuses of a university hospital and to reveal the risk factors for antibody positivity. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 2988 (82%) of 3620 healthcare workers in a university hospital participated. The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) antibody was investigated by taking serum to the healthcare workers who accepted for the COVID-19 antibody test. The antibody test results of the participants were evaluated according to the campus they work, their profession and their workplace. Statistical significance level was accepted as p < 0.05 in all analyzes. Results Of the antibody test results of the participants in this study, 108 (3.6%) were positive and 2880 (96.4%) were negative. Antibody positivity were higher in nurses than in other healthcare workers (p < 0.001). When examined according to work places, antibody positivity was higher in those working in intensive care compared to those working in other places (p < 0.001). Conclusions Healthcare workers are at the highest risk of being infected with COVID-19. Those who have a higher risk of infection among healthcare workers and those working in high-risk areas should be vaccinated early and take care to work with personal protective equipment during the pandemic period. Trial Registration: Retrospective permission was obtained from both the local ethics committee and the Turkish Ministry of Health for this study. (IRB No:71522473/050.01.04/370, Date: 05.20.2020


Author(s):  
Quratul-Ain Zafar

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline healthcare workers in Pakistan in terms of psychological factors emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout. Study Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at different hospitals across Pakistan and data collection was carried out from 15th June 2020 till 15th August 2020. Material and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based study aiming to compare the levels of burnout and emotional distress between frontline COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 healthcare workers. Any physician, nurse, and other healthcare workers were recruited from emergency care units and Covid-19 care units (target group), and non-COVID-19 care units (control group). Participation was voluntary and participants had to complete self-reported questionnaires and scales. A mixed-mode data collection was carried out, either in paper or web-based form to ensure maximum participation. Results: The independent t-test showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding depression, stress, and insomnia. The study group showed higher scores for these factors than the control group. Chi-square test of association revealed significant scores of burnout and professional fulfillment in both groups. There was a higher prevalence of burnout in the study group than in the control group. Conclusion: This study concludes that there was a significant psychosocial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the frontline healthcare workers measured in terms of emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout.


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