scholarly journals The Impact of the Protective Measures on Healthcare Workers During Covid-19 Pandemic in Tertiary University Hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Personal Protection ◽  
Healthcare Staff ◽  
Protective Measures

Background: A novel coronavirus “SARS-CoV-2” causes the disease COVID-19. A high transmission rate within healthcare workers was reported. We aimed to determine effect of our protective measures on infection rate, related risk factors and measures that can be taken among healthcare professionals in our university hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to analyse the data of infected healthcare providers. Demographic data of the patients, computed tomography (CT) scan findings, laboratory parameters and any symptoms related with Covid-19 disease were recorded. The real‐time reverse transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) results were evaluated. Results: The infection rate was 3.8% (143 of 3700 healthcare workers). Of 143 infected healthcare workers, 91 were female and 52 were male. Mean age of these patients was 32.5±8.6 years (Table 1). First PCR tests of 99 symptomatic healthcare staff were positive. Second tests of 84 of them were negative. The most common symptom was dry cough (47 patients, 32.8%). Treatment of 117 healthcare staff has been completed and they returned to work. Mortality or intensive care unit stay have not been observed. Conclusion: The transmission rate was relatively low in our university hospital. Our protective measures of increased awareness of personal protection, adherence to algorithms, supportive attitudes of hospital management, proper preparation and intervention play a critical role in reducing infection risk for healthcare workers. Public Interest Summary. Corona Virus (COVID 19) pandemic may continue for more time. To prevent its spread within health workers personnel, should follow a strict preventive measure. Increased awareness of personal protection equipment, adherence to algorithms, supportive attitudes of hospital management, proper preparation and intervention play a critical role in reducing infection risk for healthcare workers. Supportive behaviours of hospital administration and managers are essential to increase the enthusiasm of the staff. The Ministry of Health (MOH) should design a flexible working hours system and prevent long working hours under extreme pressure. All meetings are better to be held with a teleconference to prevent face-to-face transmission.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Infection Status of Healthcare Workers in Wuhan During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (16) ◽  
pp. 2109-2113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lichun Zheng ◽  
Xiang Wang ◽  
Chongchong Zhou ◽  
Qin Liu ◽  
Shuang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
General Information ◽  
Infection Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
The Public ◽  
Substantial Risk

Abstract Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) at the frontline are facing a substantial risk of infection during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Methods We acquired information and data on general information on and infection and death status of HCWs in Wuhan during the COVID-19 outbreak and completed statistical analyses. Results We obtained the data on 2457 infected cases among HCWs in Wuhan, China. More than half of the infected individuals were nurses (52.06%), whereas 33.62% of infected cases were doctors and 14.33% of cases were medical staff. In particular, the case infection rate of nurses (2.22%) was remarkably higher than that of doctors (1.92%). Most infected cases among HCWs were female (72.28%). A majority of the infected HCWs (89.26%) came from general hospitals, followed by specialized hospitals (5.70%) and community hospitals (5.05%). The case infection rate of HCWs (2.10%) was dramatically higher than that of non-HCWs (0.43%). The case fatality rate of HCWs (0.69%) was significantly lower than that of non-HCWs (5.30%). Conclusions The infection risk of HCWs is clearly higher than that of non-HCWs. HCWs play an essential role in fighting the pandemic. The analysis of the infection status of HCWs is essential to attract enough attention from the public, provide effective suggestions for government agencies, and improve protective measures for HCWs.

scholarly journals Healthcare workers high COVID-19 infection rate: the source of infections and potential for respirators and surgical masks to reduce occupational infections

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lotta-Maria A. H. Oksanen ◽  
Enni Sanmark ◽  
Sampo Oksanen ◽  
Veli-Jukka Anttila ◽  
Jussi J. Paterno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Tertiary Hospitals ◽  
Occupational Infections

Objective: To analyse the work-related exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and trace the source of COVID-19 infections in tertiary hospitals healthcare workers in light of the used PPE and their ability to maintain social distances and follow governmental restrictions. Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Tertiary hospitals in Uusimaa region, Finland Participants: Of 1072 enrolled, 866 HCWs (588 nurses, 170 doctors and 108 laboratory and medical imaging nurses) from the Helsinki University Hospital completed the questionnaire by July 15th, 2020. The average age of participants was 42.4 years and 772 (89.0%) were women. The participants answered a detailed questionnaire of their PPE usage, ability to follow safety restrictions, exposure to COVID-19, the source of potential COVID-19 infection and both mental and physical symptoms during the first wave of COVID-19 in Finland. Main outcome measures: All participants with COVID-19 symptoms were tested with either RT-PCR or antibody tests. The infections were traced and categorised based on the location and source of infection. The possibility to maintain social distance and PPE usage during exposure were analyzed. Results: Of the HCWs that participated, 41 (4.7%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, marking a substantially higher infection rate than that of the general population (0.3%); 22 (53.6%) of infections were confirmed or likely occupational, including 7 (31.8%) from colleagues. Additionally, 5 (26.3%) of other infections were from colleagues outside the working facilities. 14 (63.6%) of occupational infections occurred while using a surgical mask. No occupational infections were found while using an FFP2/3 respirator and aerosol precautions while treating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: While treating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, HCWs should wear an FFP2/3 respirator and recommended PPE. Maintaining safety distances in the workplace and controlling infections between HCWs should be priorities to ensure safe working conditions.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Risk among Healthcare Workers of an Italian University Hospital

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1495
Author(s):  
Alberto Modenese ◽  
Loretta Casolari ◽  
Giorgia Rossi ◽  
Elena Della Vecchia ◽  
Francesca Glieca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cumulative Incidence ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Occupational Factors ◽  
Chronic Respiratory Diseases ◽  
The University

We report the results of a study on the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in about 6000 workers of the University Hospital of Modena, Northern Italy, in the period March 2020–January 2021, and the relations with some individual and occupational factors. Overall, in healthcare workers (HCW) the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 during the period was 13.8%. Results confirm the role of overweight and obesity as significant risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, also proved to be significantly associated with the infection rate. Considering occupational factors, the COVID-19 risk was about threefold (OR: 2.7; 95% CI 1.7–4.5) greater in nurses and nurse aides than in non-HCW, and about double (OR: 1.9; 95% CI 1.2–3.2) in physicians. Interestingly, an association was also observed between infection risk and nightshifts at work (OR: 1.8; 95% CI 1.4–2.3), significantly related to the total number of shifts in the whole eleven-month period. Even if the vaccination campaign has now greatly modified the scenario of SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCW, the results of this study can be useful for further development of health and policy strategies to mitigate the occupational risk related to the new variants of coronavirus, and therefore the evolution of the pandemic.

scholarly journals SARS-Coronavirus-2 cases in healthcare workers may not regularly originate from patient care: lessons from a university hospital on the underestimated risk of healthcare worker to healthcare worker transmission

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Schneider ◽  
Brar Piening ◽  
Pauline Assina Nouri-Pasovsky ◽  
Anne Caroline Krüger ◽  
Petra Gastmeier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Worker ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
University Medicine ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Epidemiological Link

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents an unprecedented healthcare challenge. Various SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in healthcare facilities have been reported. Healthcare workers (HCWs) may play a critical role in the spread of the virus, particularly when asymptomatic. We examined four healthcare-associated outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 infections that occurred at a university hospital in Berlin, Germany. We aimed to describe and analyze the spread of the virus in order to draw conclusions for effective containment of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare facilities. Methods Healthcare-associated outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 infections were defined as two or more laboratory confirmed infections with SARS-CoV-2 where an epidemiological link within the healthcare setting appeared likely. We focused our analysis on one of three sites of the Charité-University Medicine hospital within a 2 month period (March and April 2020). Results We observed four healthcare-associated outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 infections, with a total of 24 infected persons (23 HCWs and one patient). The outbreaks were detected in the departments of nephrology and dialysis (n = 9), anesthesiology (n = 8), surgical pediatrics (n = 4), and neurology (n = 3). Each outbreak showed multiple unprotected contacts between infected HCWs. A combination of contact tracing, testing, physical distancing and mandatory continuous wearing of face masks by all HCWs was able to contain all four outbreaks. Conclusions HCW to HCW transmission represented the likely source of the four outbreaks. Ensuring proper physical distancing measures and wearing of protective equipment, also when interacting with colleagues, must be a key aspect of fighting COVID-19 in healthcare facilities.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of healthy meals at work on reaction time, mood and dietary intake: a randomised cross-over study in daytime and shift workers at an university hospital

2017 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Leedo ◽  
Anne Marie Beck ◽  
Arne Astrup ◽  
Anne D. Lassen
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Healthcare Staff ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Shift Workers ◽  
Beneficial Effects

AbstractOur dietary habits affect both cognitive performance and mood. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of increased availability of healthy meals and water at work on healthcare staff. The study used an 8-week randomised cross-over design. A total of sixty physicians, nurses and nursing assistants, including sixteen working on shifts, were recruited. The participants received a self-selected keyhole-labelled (Nordic nutrition label) lunch, snack and bottled water during each shift throughout the intervention period. Reaction time (Go/No-Go test), mood-related scores (POMS) and dietary intake were assessed at run-in, and at the end of the intervention and the control periods. The intake of fat (P=0·030) and PUFA (P=0·003) was lower, and the intake of carbohydrate (P=0·008), dietary fibre (P=0·031) and water (P<0·001) was greater in the intervention period than in the control period. The intervention had no effect on reaction time or any of the mood-related scores in the group as a whole. In shift-working participants, the intervention period resulted in a 31·1 % lower Fatigue-Inertia Score (P=0·003), a 15·3 % higher Vigour-Activity Score (P=0·041) and a 42·7 % lower Total Mood Disturbance Score (P=0·017), whereas the only dietary component that significantly improved was water intake (P=0·034), when compared with the control period. Providing healthy meals, snacks and water during working hours seems to be an effective way of improving employees’ dietary intake. Moreover, increased intake of water may be associated with beneficial effects on fatigue, vigour and total mood in shift-working healthcare staff.

scholarly journals Risks for Workers Handling Solid Oral Doses: Development of a Tool to Improve Personal Protection

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amandine Sgarioto ◽  
Olivier Aupee ◽  
Laurent Simon ◽  
Hélène Ginestet ◽  
Sophie Armand-Branger
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
American Studies ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Regulatory Framework ◽  
Chemical Contamination ◽  
Personal Protection ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Good Manufacturing Practices ◽  
Protective Methods ◽  
Oral Doses

AbstractHandling of pharmaceutical specialities is required before its distribution or administration. Unpackaging and repackaging solid oral doses (SOD) in pharmacy settings; crushing, pills fragmenting or capsules opening inside care units may expose nurses and pharmacy dispensers to chemical contamination according to three recent North American studies. In the absence of a regulatory framework the application of the “principle of precaution” implies at first an analysis of the medication circuit and then the implementation of protective measures to prevent healthcare workers from contamination. Comparison of professional recommendations published in other countries allowed us to select a group of protective methods. We gathered these technical and organisational methods to compose a matrix of recommendations intended to hospital staff involved in SOD handling. This tool aims to improve the development of good manufacturing practices (GMP). It combines the issue of personal protection with other criteria such as quality, efficiency and safety of a medication.

scholarly journals Nasopharyngeal Testing among Healthcare Workers (HCWs) of a Large University Hospital in Milan, Italy during Two Epidemic Waves of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8748
Author(s):  
Agnese Comelli ◽  
Dario Consonni ◽  
Andrea Lombardi ◽  
Giulia Viero ◽  
Massimo Oggioni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Retrospective Observational Study ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Epidemic Wave

Background: since October 2020, a second SARS-CoV-2 epidemic wave has hit Italy. We investigate the frequency of positive nasopharyngeal swabs among HCWs during the two waves and the association with occupation and demographic characteristics. Methods: this is a retrospective, observational study conducted in a large university hospital in Milan, Northern Italy. We defined two epidemic waves: 1st (February 2020–July 2020) and 2nd (August 2020–January 2021). Occupational and demographic characteristics of HCWs who underwent nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 were collected. Results: in the 1st wave, 242 positive subjects (7.2%) were found among 3378 HCWs, whereas in the 2nd wave, the positive subjects were 545 out of 4465 (12.2%). In both epidemic waves positive NPSs were more frequent among HCWs with health-related tasks and lower among students (p < 0.001). However, in the 2nd wave, workers engaged in non-health-related tasks had a peak of 20.7% positivity. Among 160 positive HCWs in the 1st wave who were tested again in the 2nd wave, the rate of reinfection based on SARS-CoV2 RNA cycle quantification value was 0.6%. Conclusions: during the 2nd epidemic wave, we confirmed a significant impact of COVID-19 among HCWs. The rise of infection rate among HCWs seems to reflect the increasing spread of SARS-CoV-2 among the overall population.

scholarly journals Mental Stress, Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms and Interleuken-6 Level among Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110274
Author(s):  
Shaimaa A. A. M. Amer ◽  
Ahmed Mahmoud Fouad ◽  
Mohamed El-Samahy ◽  
Asmaa A. Hashem ◽  
Abdullah A. saati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Mental Stress ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Night Shift ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Healthcare Staff ◽  
Stress Scale

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and its relationship to stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among healthcare workers (HCWs) compared to controls during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A total of 80 HCWs in Suez Canal University Hospital in Ismailia, Egypt, and 80 controls were analyzed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS 21) questionnaire was used, and serum IL-6 level was determined in both groups. Results IL-6 levels were high in 81.2% (65) of HCWs compared to 36% (45) of controls ( P < .05). The DASS score was higher in participants with high IL-6 levels (>3 ng/mL) than in those with mild to moderate levels ( P < .05). The regression model revealed that the type of work as a healthcare staff, irregular or night shift, and stress were predictors of increased IL-6 levels among the studied sample ( P < .05) (odds ratio = 20.30, 2.44, and 2.04, respectively). Conclusion The IL-6 level and DASS score were higher in HCWs compared to those in controls during the COVID-19 pandemic. The type of work as a healthcare staff, stress, and irregular or night shift were predictors of increased IL-6 levels.

Prevalence of Thyroid Diseases in an Occupationally Radiation Exposed Group: A Cross-Sectional Study in a University Hospital of Southern Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 803-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Vimercati ◽  
Luigi De Maria ◽  
Francesca Mansi ◽  
Antonio Caputi ◽  
Giovanni M. Ferri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Thyroid Diseases ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exposed Workers

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.

scholarly journals Stress and Associated Factors among Frontline Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Epicenter of Da Nang City, Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7378
Author(s):  
Nhan Phuc Thanh Nguyen ◽  
Duong Dinh Le ◽  
Robert Colebunders ◽  
Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽  
Trung Dinh Tran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Stress Component ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Laboratory Workers ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers ◽  
Second Wave

Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) involved in the COVID-19 response have a higher risk of experiencing psychosocial distress amidst the pandemic. Between July and September 2020, a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic appeared in Vietnam with Da Nang city being the epicenter. During the outbreak, HCWs were quarantined within the health facilities in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19 to their respective communities. Using the stress component of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), we assessed the level of stress among HCWs in Da Nang city. Between 30 August and 15 September 2020, 746 frontline HCWs were recruited to fill in an online structured questionnaire. Overall, 44.6% of participants experienced increased stress and 18.9% severe or extremely severe stress. In multivariable analysis, increased stress was associated with longer working hours (OR = 1.012; 95% CI: 1.004–1.019), working in health facilities providing COVID-19 treatment (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.04–2.39), having direct contact with patients or their bio-samples (physicians, nurses and laboratory workers; OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.02–1.99), low confidence in the available personal protective equipment (OR = 0.846; 95% CI: 0.744–0.962) and low knowledge on COVID-19 prevention and treatment (OR = 0.853; 95% CI: 0.739–0.986). In conclusion, many frontline HCWs experienced increased stress during the COVID-19 outbreak in Da Nang city. Reducing working time, providing essential personal protective equipment and enhancing the knowledge on COVID-19 will help to reduce this stress. Moreover, extra support is needed for HCWs who are directly exposed to COVID-19 patients.

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