COVID-19 Outbreak in a Hemodialysis Center: A Retrospective Monocentric Case Series

Background: The rapid worldwide spread of COVID-19 has posed a serious threat to patients treated with kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Moreover, the impact of the disease on hemodialysis centers, the patients, and the health care workers is still not completely understood. Objective: We present the analysis of a COVID-19 outbreak in a hemodialysis center in Belgium and report the incidence, clinical course, and outcome of the disease. Design: A retrospective cross-sectional cohort study. Setting: A hemodialysis center during the COVID-19 outbreak. Patients: A total of 62 patients on maintenance hemodialysis at a tertiary care center in Belgium attended by 26 health care workers. Measurements: Baseline patients’ characteristics were retrieved. The incidence, clinical course, and outcome were reported. The differences between COVID-19 survivors and nonsurvivors were assessed along with the differences between COVID-19-hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients. The incidence of the disease and outcome of health care workers were also reported. Methods: Proportions for categorical variables were compared using the Fisher exact test and χ2. The Mann-Whitney rank sum test was used to compare continuous variables. Univariate analysis and a binomial logistic regression were used to explore variables as predictors of death. Results: Between March 6 and April 14, 2020, 40 of 62 (65%) patients tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome beta coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) along with 18 of 26 (69%) health care professionals. Twenty-five (63%) of the infected patients were hospitalized with a median time for hospitalization-to-discharge of 8 (interquartile range [IQR] = 4-12) days. Eleven (28%) COVID-19-related deaths were recorded with a median time for onset of symptoms-to-death of 9 (IQR = 5-14) days. Lymphocytopenia was prevalent among the cohort and was found in 9 of 11 (82%) reported deaths ( P = .4). There was no influence of the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers on COVID-19-related deaths ( P = .3). Advanced age, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were all found to be significantly related to death. Of the 18 infected health care professionals, 13 (72%) were symptomatic and 2 (11%) were hospitalized. There was no reported death among the health care workers. Limitations: Limited follow-up time compared with the course of the disease along with a small sample size. Conclusions: Patients treated with KRT show a high mortality rate secondary to COVID-19. CVD and age are shown to impact survival. Proactive measures must be taken to prevent the spread of the virus in such facilities. Trial Registration: Not applicable as this is a retrospective study.

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COVID-19 pandemic and its influence on mental health of healthcare professionals in Nepal

Eastern Green Neurosurgery ◽

10.3126/egn.v3i01.38981 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (01) ◽

pp. 23-27

Author(s):

Robin Bhattarai ◽

Joshila Chanu Yumnam ◽

Kishor Chhantyal ◽

Karuna Rai ◽

Manoj Kumar Chaudhary ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Front Line ◽

Psychological Burden ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Care Workers ◽

The Impact

Given the unprecedented global public health crisis due to the covid-19 pandemic, it is important to recognize the psychological impact on health care professionals. Previous experiences from the smaller scale epidemiology and new literature on COVID-19 have shown that increased pressure on healthcare professionals is associated with rise in the psychological incidence rates. We have described the psychological burden of the covid-19 pandemic on health care workers in Nepal and reviewed the literature on the impact of previous epidemics on front-line health care workers. In addition, we discussed potential triggers and measures to minimize the front-line psychological pressure to deal with this biological threat.

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Death and Mourning Process in Frontline Health Care Professionals and Their Families During COVID-19

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.624428 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Sreeja Das ◽

Tushar Singh ◽

Rahul Varma ◽

Yogesh Kumar Arya

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Well Being ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Personal Protection Equipment ◽

Care Workers ◽

The Impact ◽

Mourning Process

The COVID-19 epidemic has mushroomed globally, disrupting the existence of millions. Under this current pandemic situation, the frontline health care professionals are looped in the clutch of the virus and are relatively more exposed to the patients infected with the disease. In this precarious situation, the frontline health care professionals have contributed their best to provide utmost care to the patients infected with the ailment. The direct involvement of these professionals, however, has taken a toll on their physical health as well as on their mental well-being. Several studies conducted recently have reported that frontline health care workers engaged in direct diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with COVID-19 are associated with a higher risk of symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues. Lack of personal protection equipment, unreasonable amounts of work, improper medicines, fear of contracting the disease, and lack of skilled training have interposed the frontline health care workers with unimaginable stress. Due to the widespread outbreak, the death count of the frontline health care professionals has also surged. However, studies exploring the physical and mental welfare of the frontline health care professionals and their families are very few and far behind. To address this aperture, the present paper attempts to highlight the psychological and physical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frontline health care professions and to understand the impact of the death of these frontline health care professionals on the psychological well-being, mourning process, and complicated grief among the family members of healthcare professionals. The paper also presents some recommendations for providing psychological support to healthcare professionals and their bereaved families.

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A Study On Impact Of Work Life Related Factors On Employee Engagement In Health Care Sector Workers In Dindigul District.

Restaurant Business ◽

10.26643/rb.v118i7.7242 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 118 (7) ◽

pp. 20-26

Author(s):

S. JAYARAMAN ◽

R. Sindhya ◽

P. Vijiyalakshmi

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Path Analysis ◽

Employee Engagement ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Health Care Sector ◽

Work Life ◽

Primary Data ◽

Related Factors ◽

Care Workers ◽

The Impact

this research aims to find out the intensity of Employee Engagement of the health care sector workers and the relationship between the Work life factors and Employee Engagement of Health care sector workers in Dindigul District. Primary data were used in this research, were collected from 298 Health care workers from Dindigul District. Questionnaire was the major tool used to gather the primary data from the selected sample respondents. For this purpose, a well structured questionnaire was constructed with the help of professionals and the practiced employees of various health care units in Dindigul District. The health care employees were chosen by simple random sampling method. The investigative measures of regression Path analysis, and simple percentage analysis were utilized to find the impact of work life related factors with the Employee Engagement. The maximum Health care workers were generally satisfied with their jobs. The analytical procedure of path analysis multiple regressions was utilized to determine the predicting strength among Work life factors and the employee engagement. This study provides an another view about the importance of Work life factors and Employee engagement for organizational effectiveness and performance .

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COVID-19 Psychological Impact on Health Care Workers in Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18116076 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 6076

Author(s):

Hasan S. Alamri ◽

Wesam F. Mousa ◽

Abdullah Algarni ◽

Shehata F. Megahid ◽

Ali Al Bshabshe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Psychological Outcomes ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers ◽

The Impact

Objective: Little is known about the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) among the health care workers in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 among the health care workers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May till mid-July among 389 health care workers from government and private hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using a pre-structured online questionnaire that measured adverse psychological outcomes, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale. The Pearson chi-square test was used to assess the distribution of depression and anxiety among health care workers. Results: A high level of anxiety was recorded among the health care workers, and 69.3% of health care workers below the age of 40 were found to have depression. There was a significant increase in depression among staff with chronic health problems (72.1% vs. 61.9%; p = 0.048). High anxiety levels were detected among young staff compared to others (68.7% vs. 43.8%; p = 0.001). Moreover, 82.1% of the female staff were anxious, as compared to 55.6% of the males (p = 0.001). Conclusions: We found increased prevalence of adverse psychological outcomes among the health care workers in Saudi Arabia during the outbreak of COVID-19. Therefore, there is a need for proper screening and development of corresponding preventive measures to decrease the adverse psychological outcomes.

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Smoking behavior and beliefs about the impact of smoking on anti-tuberculosis treatment among health care workers

The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease ◽

10.5588/ijtld.17.0023 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. 1049-1055 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. J. Magee ◽

L. Darchia ◽

M. Kipiani ◽

T. Chakhaia ◽

R. R. Kempker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Smoking Behavior ◽

Tuberculosis Treatment ◽

Care Workers ◽

The Impact

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Clinical evaluation of mark induced dermatitis on health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross sectional study

International Journal of Research in Dermatology ◽

10.18203/issn.2455-4529.intjresdermatol20211701 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 413

Author(s):

Sushma I. ◽

Nivin Simon ◽

A. J. S. Pravin ◽

M. K. Padmaprasad ◽

M. Vijayabharathi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Clinical Evaluation ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers

Background: Mask induced dermatitis is common among health care workers now because of the obligatory use of facemask for a longer period during COVID-19, the clinical features vary. Very few studies could be conducted due to the COVID induced constraints. Studies regarding reactions to face masks in health workers published to date are limited and hence we decided to do this study. The objective of this study was to find out the clinical presentations of mask induced dermatitis due to long term use of facemask on healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 40 healthcare workers attend our OPD with face mask for 6 months. After getting informed written consent clinical evaluation was made by history and dermatologic examination.Results: Total 40 health care professionals between the age group of 21-50 years (17 females and 23 males) came to our OPD with complaints of itching and dryness with signs of erythema, scaling, papules for 6 months duration. Out of them, 15 (37.5%) patients had exacerbation of pre-existing dermatoses like atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, acne. 10 patients (25%) had irritant contact dermatitis 7 patients (17.5%) had sweat-induced dermatitis, 4 patients (10%) had dermatitis due to sponge strip at the nasal bridge, 4 patients (10%) had dermatitis due to vehement use of ear loop involving retroauricular region.Conclusions: This study showed that wearing face masks results in the development and aggravation of other skin diseases due to various causes. Itch can induce scratching and thus lead to inappropriate use of face masks, which could compromise their function.

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Awareness among health care professionals regarding nosocomial pathogens and role of fomites in their transmission.

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2020.27.05.4149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (05) ◽

pp. 1032-1037

Author(s):

Khadija Mumtaz ◽

Nadia Aslam ◽

Naima Mehdi ◽

Nazma Kiran ◽

Sadaf Farzand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Nosocomial Infections ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Basic Knowledge ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Nosocomial Pathogens ◽

Care Workers ◽

Health Care Associated Infections ◽

Tract Infections

Objectives: This study was performed to access the knowledge of health care professionals regarding health care associated infections, nosocomial pathogens, fomites and their role in transmission of nosocomial pathogens. Study Design: Descriptive, questionnaire based, cross-sectional study. Setting: Tertiary care hospital of Lahore, Punjab. Period: From October 2017 to January 2018. Material & Methods: Questionnaires were carefully formulated to access basic knowledge of physicians, surgeons and nurses. Responses given were analyzed and recorded as frequency and percentage. Results: Regarding health care associated infections, respiratory tract infections were identified by 72% surgeons, 65% physicians and 59% nurses. Surgical wound infections were identified by 76% of surgeons and 81% nurses. 45.7% physician identified bacteraemia as nosocomial infection. Rate of identification for rest of nosocomial infections was sub optimum (<50%) by health care workers. Regarding identification of nosocomial pathogens, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus was marked by 65% of physicians, 83.8% of nurses, 76% of surgeons. Pseudomonas nosocomial pathogen was identified by 40%, 46% and 64% of physicians, nurses and surgeons respectively. The rate of identification for rest of the nosocomial organisms was again sub optimum (<40%) by health care workers. Regarding fomites, mattresses and pillows, thermometer, stethoscopes were identified by 75.7%, 59.2 and 50% of Health care professionals respectively. Conclusion: This survey identified positive attitude among Health care workers towards infection control but low level of knowledge regarding health care associated infections and nosocomial pathogens. Therefore, to prevent nosocomial infections, there is strong need to develop strategies for improving knowledge of Health care professionals.

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The experience of European hospital-based health care workers on following infection prevention and control procedures for COVID-19

10.1101/2020.12.23.20248793 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Denise van Hout ◽

Paul Hutchinson ◽

Marta Wanat ◽

Caitlin Pilbeam ◽

Herman Goossens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Infection Risk ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Emotional Wellbeing ◽

Care Workers ◽

And Control ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACTBackgroundWorking under pandemic conditions exposes health care workers (HCWs) to infection risk and psychological strain. Protecting the physical and psychological health of HCWs is a key priority. This study assessed the perceptions of European hospital HCWs of local infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on their emotional wellbeing.MethodsWe performed two rounds of an international cross-sectional survey, between 31 March and 17 April 2020 via existing research networks (round 1), and between 14 May and 31 August 2020 via online convenience sampling (round 2). Main outcome measures were (1) behavioural determinants of HCW adherence with IPC procedures, (2) WHO-5 Well-Being Index, a validated scale of 0-100 reflecting emotional wellbeing. The WHO-5 was interpreted as a score below or above 50 points, a cut-off score used in previous literature to screen for depression.Results2,289 HCWs (round 1: n=190, round 2: n=2,099) from 40 countries in Europe participated. Mean age of respondents was 42 (±11) years, 66% were female, 47% and 39% were medical doctors and nurses, respectively. 74% (n=1699) of HCWs were directly treating patients with COVID-19, of which 32% (n=527) reported they were fearful of caring for these patients. HCWs reported high levels of concern about COVID-19 infection risk to themselves (71%) and their family (82%) as a result of their job. 40% of HCWs considered that getting infected with COVID-19 was not within their control. This was more common among junior than senior HCWs (46% versus 38%, P value <.01). Sufficient COVID-19-specific IPC training, confidence in PPE use and institutional trust were positively associated with the feeling that becoming infected with COVID-19 was within their control. Female HCWs were more likely than males to report a WHO-5 score below 50 points (aOR 1.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-1.8).ConclusionsIn Europe, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a differential impact on those providing direct COVID-19 patient care, junior staff and women. Health facilities must be aware of these differential impacts, build trust and provide tailored support for this vital workforce during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

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Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers at a cancer care centre

10.1101/2021.02.28.21252181 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Atika Dogra ◽

Anuj Parkash ◽

Anurag Mehta ◽

Meenu Bhatia

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Front Line ◽

Care Workers ◽

Front Line Workers ◽

Severity Of The Disease ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Spread Of Infection ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe services of front-line health care workers (HCWs) have been paramount in the management of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Health care professionals have been at high occupational risk of getting disease and even dying of the disease, however; they have been the subject of very limited studies in terms of COVID-19. The objectives of this study are to examine the incidence and the impact of COVID-19 infection among HCWs in terms of recovery, productivity, quality of life (QOL) and post-COVID complications.Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective, questionnaire based study including demographic details, workplace characteristics, symptoms, source/ spread of infection, details of recovery and the consequences of COVID-19 comprising impaired productivity/ QOL, post-COVID-19 complications and others. The data were analyzed by using IBM SPSS software (Version 23, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).Results and ConclusionsOut of a total of 1482 employees, 18.3% (271) were laboratory confirmed to have contracted novel contagion during the study period of 5 months. The median age at diagnosis was 29 (range, 21-62) years. Front-line workers and female workers were the most infected personnel with COVID-19. Flu-like symptoms were the most frequently experienced symptoms. The median time for recovery was 20 (range, 2-150) days. The relationship between pre-existing comorbidities and age was highly significant. The QOL and productivity were associated with pre-existing comorbidities, severity of the disease, time for recovery and post-COVID syndrome. More than a half (51.8%) of all HCWs had suffered from post-COVID complications. There was no fatality reported due to COVID-19. The post-COVID complications were related to pre-existing comorbidities, severity of disease, time for recovery and status of recovery. Further research to explore the consequences of COVID-19 is warranted. The general public needs to be aware of symptoms and management of the post-COVID syndrome.

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Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Health Care Workers in Earthquake-Affected Areas in Southwest China

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.106.2.555-561 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 106 (2) ◽

pp. 555-561 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Li Wang ◽

Jianxin Zhang ◽

Mingjie Zhou ◽

Zhanbiao Shi ◽

Ping Liu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Southwest China ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Care Workers ◽

The Impact

The symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and associated risk factors were investigated among health care workers in earthquake-affected areas in southwest China. 343 health care workers completed the Chinese version of the Impact of Event Scale–Revised 3 mo. after the Wenchuan Earthquake. The prevalence of probable PTSD was 19%. The significant risk factors identified for PTSD severity included being female, being bereaved, being injured, and higher intensity of initial fear. These findings suggest that PTSD is a common mental health problem among health care workers in earthquake-affected areas. The present information can be useful in directing, strengthening, and evaluating disaster-related mental health needs and interventions after an earthquake.

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