scholarly journals Evaluating Healthcare Workers Needs and Empowering Them During Pandemics.

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikeoluwa Ayomiposi Akintujoye
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
The United States ◽  
Disease Outbreak ◽  
Collateral Damage ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Government

Healthcare workers play an essential and critical role in mitigating the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the population. In the United States, estimated confirmed cases are over 3million as of July 8, 2020. Healthcare workers have increased risk of infection and, likewise, their close contact. Healthcare workers are the frontline heroes in this battle with their families as collateral damage. During the outbreak, healthcare workers have taken drastic steps to reduce the risk of infecting their family members. Some have moved out of their homes, staying in hotels, in makeshift tents in their garage, or staying with fellow healthcare workers while having decided to stay home not just because they want to get infected but mainly because they do not want to infect their loved ones and families. This paper explains how to encourage health workers to work during a disease outbreak, such as the current coronavirus called COVID-19. It is an eye-opener to what the Government can do to keep health workers encouraged to continue to render services by providing the necessary medical equipment, disposable and non-disposable gears, continuous education on proper hand hygiene, and regular check on the stockpile. The suggestion is for health workers to shower and change into a different cloth when going back home at the end of every shift, and the clothes wore at work will be recycled at the disinfecting unit within the hospital. The hospital should provide scrub that can be recycled. It will reduce the rate at which infection spread out of the hospital.Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, disinfecting, and recycling work outfit, healthcare workers.

scholarly journals Management of clozapine treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 204512532092816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siobhan Gee ◽  
Fiona Gaughran ◽  
James MacCabe ◽  
Sukhi Shergill ◽  
Eromona Whiskey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Full Blood Count ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Clozapine Treatment ◽  
Neutropenic Sepsis ◽  
Blood Assay ◽  
Blood Monitoring ◽  
Increased Risk

Clozapine is the only available treatment for refractory schizophrenia but its use involves frequent physical contact with healthcare workers for the purpose of mandatory blood monitoring. During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients taking clozapine will be self-isolating to reduce the risk of infection, not least because these patients are at high risk of serious illness and fatality because of high rates of diabetes, obesity and pulmonary disease and an increased risk of pneumonia. Problems may also arise because both clozapine-induced myocarditis and neutropenic sepsis share signs and symptoms with COVID-19 (fever, chest pain, dyspnoea, etc.). We recommend decreasing the frequency of physical contacts by extending the blood monitoring interval to 12 weeks in those patients taking clozapine for more than 1 year. To distinguish COVID-19 from clozapine-related physical adverse effects, we suggest an urgent antigen test alongside a full blood count. In those taking clozapine who develop COVID-19, we suggest continuing with clozapine whenever possible (even during ventilation), reducing the dose if necessary in line with blood assay results. Blood monitoring should continue but clozapine should only cease if there is a significant fall in neutrophils (COVID-19 is linked to lymphopenia but not neutropenia). To protect against the likelihood and severity of respiratory infection, we recommend the use of vitamin D in all clozapine patients. Initiation of clozapine is likely to remain problematic while the risk of infection remains, given the degree of physical contact required to assure safety.

Vaccination Induced Immunity to the Hepatitis B Virus among High-Risk Groups in Glasgow 1993–2001: Evaluating the Effectiveness of the United Kingdom's Selective Immunisation Policy

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 13-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
KM Roy ◽  
DJ Goldberg ◽  
K Wilson ◽  
SO Cameron
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Hbv Infection ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Selective Approach ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Increased Risk

Background and Aims The United Kingdom has adopted a selective approach to the control of hepatitis B (HBV), vaccinating those at increased risk of infection through lifestyle, occupation or other factors such as close contact with a case or carrier. This paper sought to assess the effectiveness of the targeted HBV vaccination programme, by determining the level of immunity and exposure to HBV infection among three high risk groups (injecting drug users (IDUs), men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexuals attending genitourinary medicine clinics) at three time points between 1993–2001 in Glasgow, Scotland. Methods Residual sera from i) IDUs having a named HIV test and ii) MSM and heterosexual men and women attending GUM clinics and undergoing routine syphilis serology testing, were tested anonymously for HBV infection. Results The overall prevalence of HBV infection remained at a low level in all three risk groups. IDUs continue to be the group at greatest risk of infection. Discussion Despite the implementation of new initiatives targeting high-risk groups, vaccination levels remain low in the populations studied.

scholarly journals Challenges for Healthcare Workers Caring for COVID-19 Patients in Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110602
Author(s):  
Herley Windo Setiawan ◽  
Ika Nur Pratiwi ◽  
Lailatun Nimah ◽  
Zulfayandi Pawanis ◽  
Arief Bakhtiar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Sampled Data ◽  
Hospital Managers ◽  
The Government ◽  
Depth Interviews

COVID-19 pandemic raises various challenges faced by health workers in hospitals. This study explored strategies for overcoming challenges in caring for COVID-19 patients at hospitals in Indonesia based on healthcare workers’ experience. In-depth interviews were employed with 28 healthcare workers (physicians and nurses) who were purposively sampled. Data were collected via phone and analysed using the Colaizzi method. Five following challenges were found: difficulties in working with personal protective equipment (PPE), offline training for handling Covid and using PPE not being implemented evenly for all health workers, physical and psychological fatigue, difficulties in carrying out health education and assessment towards patients and families, and limited resources to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, some barriers require support from the government, public and hospital managers. The information gained from research on the strategies for caring for COVID-19 patients can contribute to better preparedness for hospitals and health workers facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG in healthcare workers and other staff at North Bristol NHS Trust: a sociodemographic analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Jones ◽  
Fergus W. Hamilton ◽  
Ameeka Thompson ◽  
Tim T. Morris ◽  
Ed Moran
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Relative Deprivation ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neighbourhood Deprivation ◽  
Junior Staff ◽  
Increased Risk

Structured summaryBackgroundHealthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There are limited data exploring the relative impact of geographical and socioeconomic factors on risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs.AimTo estimate and explore SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody seroprevalence in HCWs and support staff at a hospital in South West England.MethodsWe conducted a nested cross-sectional study from May-July 2020. Inverse probability weighted regression was used to estimate seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and associations with demographic and socioeconomic risk factors that were robust to selection into testing.FindingsAttendance for testing varied by demographic and socioeconomic factors. The overall rate of SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroprevalence among tested staff was 9.3% (638/6858). The highest seroprevalence was found in wards associated with SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks and among junior staff with patient-facing roles. Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff had increased odds of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence (adjusted OR: 1.99, 95%CI: 1.69, 2.34; p<0.001) relative to White staff, except for those categorised as Medical/Dental. We found a significant association between neighbourhood deprivation and seroprevalence (p<0.01). Seroprevalence ranged from 12% in staff residing in areas with the greatest relative deprivation to 8.4% in the least deprived.ConclusionTransmission between staff groups is evident within the healthcare setting. BAME individuals were at increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Work role, area of residence, and neighbourhood deprivation all contribute to SARS-CoV-2 infection risk. As hospitals introduce routine staff SARS-CoV-2 testing they should consider differential uptake of testing among staff groups.

scholarly journals Determinants of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Italian healthcare workers: a multicenter study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Boffetta ◽  
Francesco Violante ◽  
Paolo Durando ◽  
Giuseppe De Palma ◽  
Enrico Pira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Independent Effect ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Pooled Data ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Job Titles ◽  
Job Title

Background. Healthcare workers (HCW) are at increased risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2, yet limited information is available on risk factors of infection. Methods. We pooled data on occupational surveillance of 10,654 HCW who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection in six Italian centers. Information was available on demographics, job title, department of employment, source of exposure, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and COVID-19-related symptoms. We fitted multivariable logistic regression models to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Findings. The prevalence of infection varied across centers and ranged from 3.0% to 22.0%, being strongly correlated with that of the respective areas. Women were at lower risk of infection compared to men. Fever, cough, dyspnea and malaise were the symptoms most strongly associated with infection, together with anosmia and ageusia. No differences in the risk of infection were detected between job titles, or working in a COVID-19 designated department. Reported contact with a patient inside or outside the workplace was a risk factor. Use of a mask was strongly protective against risk of infection as was use of gloves. The use of a mask by the source of exposure (patient or colleague) had an independent effect in reducing infection risk.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Testing of 11,884 Healthcare Workers at an Acute NHS Hospital Trust in England: A Retrospective Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aidan T. Hanrath ◽  
Ina Schim van der Loeff ◽  
Dennis W. Lendrem ◽  
Kenneth F. Baker ◽  
David A. Price ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Social Deprivation ◽  
Staff Nurses ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression ◽  
Serological Testing ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Exposure Data ◽  
Increased Risk

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are known to be at increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2, although whether these risks are equal across all roles is uncertain. Here we report a retrospective analysis of a large real-world dataset obtained from 10 March to 6 July 2020 in an NHS Foundation Trust in England with 17,126 employees. 3,338 HCWs underwent symptomatic PCR testing (14.4% positive, 2.8% of all staff) and 11,103 HCWs underwent serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 IgG (8.4% positive, 5.5% of all staff). Seropositivity was lower than other hospital settings in England but higher than community estimates. Increased test positivity rates were observed in HCWs from BAME backgrounds and residents in areas of higher social deprivation. A multiple logistic regression model adjusting for ethnicity and social deprivation confirmed statistically significant increases in the odds of testing positive in certain occupational groups, most notably domestic services staff, nurses, and health-care assistants. PCR testing of symptomatic HCWs appeared to underestimate overall infection levels, probably due to asymptomatic seroconversion. Clinical outcomes were reassuring, with only a small minority of HCWs with COVID-19 requiring hospitalization (2.3%) or ICU management (0.7%) and with no deaths. Despite a relatively low level of HCW infection compared to other UK cohorts, there were nevertheless important differences in test positivity rates between occupational groups, robust to adjustment for demographic factors such as ethnic background and social deprivation. Quantitative and qualitative studies are needed to better understand the factors contributing to this risk. Robust informatics solutions for HCW exposure data are essential to inform occupational monitoring.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 antibody in healthcare workers: a multicentre cross-sectional study in 10 Colombian cities

2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2021-107487
Author(s):  
Jeadran Nevardo Malagón-Rojas ◽  
Marcela Mercado-Reyes ◽  
Yezith G Toloza-Pérez ◽  
Eliana L Parra Barrera ◽  
Marien Palma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Automated Immunoassay

BackgroundHealthcare workers are at increased risk of infection due to occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers in Colombia.MethodsThis study is a cross-sectional study focused on estimating the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers from 65 hospitals in 10 cities in Colombia during the second semester of 2020. The seroprevalence was determined using an automated immunoassay (Abbott SARS-CoV-2 CLIA IgG). The study included a survey to establish the sociodemographic variables and the risk of infection. A multivariate model was used to evaluate the association between the results of seroprevalence and risk factors.ResultsThe global seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 35% (95% Bayesian CI 33% to 37%). All the personnel reported the use of protective equipment. General services personnel and nurses presented the highest ratios of seroprevalence among the healthcare workers. Low socioeconomic strata have shown a strong association with seropositivity.ConclusionThis study estimates the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers. Even though all the personnel reported the use of protective equipment, the seroprevalence in the general services personnel and nurses was high. Also, a significant difference by cities was observed.

scholarly journals Self-reported COVID-19 among physicians: An Egyptian online study during the pandemic

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 785
Author(s):  
Hala Samir Abou-ElWafa ◽  
Abdel-Hady El-Gilany ◽  
Ahmed A. Albadry
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Vulnerable Group ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Online Study ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Laboratory Investigations ◽  
Survey Monkey ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

Abstract:  Background: COVID-19 causes a critical occupational risk to frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) who respond to the pandemic, as they are placed in environments with an increased risk of infection exposure. It is a public health priority to understand how transmission occurs to protect this vulnerable group of HCWs. This study was conducted to estimate the incidence of self-reported COVID-19 infection among physicians and its possible associated factors. Methods: An online national survey using Survey Monkey was initiated to collect sociodemographic e.g. age and sex, occupational e.g. place and duration of work, and clinical data e.g. COVID symptoms and laboratory investigations, and to describe affected physicians' diagnoses. Results: The self-reported incidence of COVID-19 infection was found to be 65.4% among studied physicians. The significant independent predictors of COVID-19 infection were  smoking, working as a frontline physician, having contact with a COVID-19 case, and working for less than ten years [ARR (95% CI): 3.0(1.6-5.7), 2.3(1.4-3.8), 2.1(1.2-3.6), and 1.8(1.2-2.9); respectively]. Conclusions: The incidence of COVID-19 infection among Egyptian physicians is relatively high. Smoking, being a frontline physician, having contact with a COVID-19 case, and working for less than 10 years are all factors associated with an increased risk of infection. There should be strict application of preventive measures, periodic screening for COVID-19 for early detection and isolation of infected HCWs together with effective vaccination.

scholarly journals Literature Review: Occupational Safety and Health Risk Factors of Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
Prima Ardiansah Surya ◽  
Marsheila Harvy Mustikaningtyas ◽  
Sacharissa Zerlina Tsarwah Thirafi ◽  
Afika Danedea Pramitha ◽  
Laksita Taffara Mahdy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Safety And Health

Introduction: The pandemic of COVID-19 has major effects, particularly on hospitals and health workers. At the beginning of March, more than 3,300 health workers have beencontracted with COVID-19 as reported by China's National Health Commission. Twenty percent of healthcare workers in Italy have also also infected and some died. To minimize the risk of transmission to health workers, knowledge of the risk factors that influence the transmission is needed. Thus, this study aims to determine risk factors related to occupational safety and health for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The literature was searched on Pubmed, Google Scholar, WHO, and the Ministry of Health instruments were implemented. 8 relevant studies were reviewed. Results: According to the analysis results of several studies, the use of PPE that is less consistent and not suitable with the risk of exposure will increase the risk of infection. The risk of infection is also increased by poor hand hygiene. According to the Kaplan-Meier curve, the working duration of ≥ 15 hours will increase the risk of infection. The risk of infection also exists for health workers who carry out risky procedures that generate airborne particles such as resuscitation, as well as environmental factors such as negative pressure rooms and traffic control bundling. Conclusion: Risk factors related to occupational health and safety during this COVID-19 pandemic for healthcare staff are: compliance with the use of PPE, hand hygiene, working hours duration, risky procedures, and environmental factors.Keywords: healthcare workers, occupational safety, COVID-19, personal protective equipment

scholarly journals Health-care workers in gastrointestinal endoscopy are at higher risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to other aerosol-generating disciplines

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Roemmele ◽  
Alanna Ebigbo ◽  
Maria Kahn ◽  
Stephan Zellmer ◽  
Anna Muzalyova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Setting ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Outpatient Settings ◽  
Medical Disciplines

Objective: Healthcare workers (HCW) are at high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to exposure to potentially infectious material, especially during aerosol-generating procedures (AGP). We aimed to investigate the prevalence of infection among HCW in medical disciplines with AGP. Design: A nationwide questionnaire-based study in in- and outpatient settings was conducted between 12/16/2020 and 01/24/2021. Data on SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCW and potential risk factors were investigated. Results: 2,070 healthcare facilities with 25,113 employees were included in the study. Despite a higher rate of pre-interventional testing, clinics treated three times more confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases than private practices (28.8% vs. 88.4%, p<0.001). Overall infection rate among HCW accounted for 4.7%. Multivariate analysis revealed that ZIP-regions having comparably higher incidences were significantly associated with increased risk of infection. Furthermore, clinical setting and the GIE specialty have more than double the risk of infection (OR 2.63; 95% CI 2.501-2.817, p<0.01 and OR 2.35; 95% CI 2.245-2.498, p<0.01). The number of procedures performed per day was also significantly associated with an increased risk of infection (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.007-1.014), p<0.01). No treatment of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases was tending to lower the risk of infection (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.507-1.025, p=0.068). Conclusion: HCW in GIE seem to be at higher risk of infection than those in other AGP, especially in the clinical setting. Regions having comparably higher incidences as well as the number of procedures performed per day were also significantly associated with increased risk of infection.

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