SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among Health Care Workers—A Voluntary Screening Study in a Regional Medical Center in Southern Germany

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with a potentially severe clinical manifestation, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and currently poses a worldwide challenge. Health care workers (HCWs) are at the forefront of any health care system and thus especially at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their potentially frequent and close contact with patients suffering from COVID-19. Serum samples from 198 HCWs with direct patient contact of a regional medical center and several outpatient facilities were collected during the early phase of the pandemic (April 2020) and tested for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies. Commercially available IgA- and IgG-specific ELISAs were used as screening technique, followed by an in-house neutralization assay for confirmation. Neutralizing SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were detected in seven of 198 (3.5%) tested HCWs. There was no significant difference in seroprevalence between the regional medical center (3.4%) and the outpatient institution (5%). The overall seroprevalence of neutralizing SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in HCWs in both a large regional medical center and a small outpatient institution was low (3.5%) at the beginning of April 2020. The findings may indicate that the timely implemented preventive measures (strict hygiene protocols, personal protective equipment) were effective to protect from transmission of an airborne virus when only limited information on the pathogen was available.

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260. Assessing Health and Safety of Health Care Workers—Evaluation of Survey Methods in a Regional Medical Center

10.3320/1.2758722 ◽

2005 ◽

Author(s):

G. Piacitelli ◽

J. Boiano ◽

K. Sieber ◽

J. Catalano ◽

N. Heyer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Medical Center ◽

Survey Methods ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Care Workers ◽

Regional Medical ◽

Regional Medical Center

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Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of Health Care Workers in the Prevention of COVID-19

10.21203/rs.3.rs-23113/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Shokofeh Maleki ◽

Farid Najafi ◽

Khosro Farhadi ◽

Mahmoud Fakhri ◽

Fatemeh Hosseini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Close Contact ◽

Asymptomatic Patients ◽

Care Workers ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

And Behavior

Abstract Background Preserving the health of health care workers (HCWs) has now become one of the main concerns of all countries affected by the coronavirus. Maintaining the health of the hospital workers, especially the medical staff, requires knowledge and awareness, followed by proper behavior for disease prevention and transmission. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and behavior of HCWs to ward patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.Methods A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and behavior of 191 HCWs of Taleghani Hospital in Kermanshah toward patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Responses to the checklists of demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and behavior toward patients with COVID-19 were analyzed by SPSS 22.Results 191 subjects (118 females and 73 males) with a mean age of 34.7 ± 8.6 years participated in this study. The level of knowledge of HCWs in this study was excellent regarding the ways of transmitting the disease such as close contact with the patient with suspected Coronavirus (99%). According to their positions, participants had a significant difference in their knowledge of asymptomatic patients (P < 0.001). The study found that 14% of the HCWs did not have the necessary knowledge about the symptoms of COVID-19, indicating poor knowledge of the HCWs at the beginning of the disease epidemic. The results obtained from the evaluation of HCWs attitudes showed that some workers believed that protective and preventive measures should only be applied when managing people with severe symptoms (P < 0.001). Finally, there was a significant difference in behavior and adherence to protective and preventive measures between the participants when facing patients with severe symptoms and without symptoms of COVID-19 (P = 0.05).Conclusion Knowledge, attitude, and behavior toward COVID-19 infection and facing patients with severe and overt symptoms among health care workers in the hospital were Excellent, but these were insufficient for patients without obvious symptoms. These results suggest that additional training regarding subclinical cases of Coronavirus is needed for HCWs to protect them from contamination and prevent disease transmission to their colleagues and other patients as well.

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460. Point-of-Care, In-Home SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Testing to Assess Seroprevalence in At-Risk Health Care Workers

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.653 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S297-S297

Author(s):

Eric G Meissner ◽

Christine Litwin ◽

Tricia Crocker ◽

Elizabeth Mack ◽

Lauren Card

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

At Risk ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Medical Center ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Documented Infection ◽

Inconclusive Result ◽

Care Workers

Abstract Background Health care workers are at significant risk for infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Methods We utilized a point-of-care, lateral flow SARS-CoV-2 IgG immunoassay (RayBiotech) to conduct a seroprevalence study in a cohort of at-risk health care workers (n=339) and normal-risk controls (n=100) employed at an academic medical center. To minimize exposure risk while conducting the study, consents were performed electronically, tests were mailed and then self-administered at home using finger stick blood, and subjects uploaded a picture of the test result while answering an electronic questionnaire. We also validated the assay using de-identified serum samples from patients with PCR-proven SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results Between April 14th and May 6th 2020, 439 subjects were enrolled. Subjects were 68% female, 93% white, and most were physicians (38%) and nurses (27%). In addition, 37% had at least 1 respiratory symptom in the prior month, 34% had cared for a patient with known SARS-CoV-2 infection, 57% and 23% were worried about exposure at work or in the community, respectively, and 5 reported prior documented SARS-CoV-2 infection. On initial testing, 3 subjects had a positive IgG test, 336 had a negative test, and 87 had an inconclusive result. Of those with an inconclusive result who conducted a repeat test (85%), 96% had a negative result. All 3 positive IgG tests were in subjects reporting prior documented infection. Laboratory validation showed that of those with PCR-proven infection more than 13 days prior, 23/30 were IgG positive (76% sensitivity), whereas 1/26 with a negative prior PCR test were seropositive (95% specificity). Repeat longitudinal serologic testing every 30 days for up to 4 times is currently in progress. Conclusion We conducted a contact-free study in the setting of a pandemic to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in an at-risk group of health care workers. The only subjects found to be IgG positive were those with prior documented infection, even though a substantial proportion of subjects reported significant potential occupational or community exposure and symptoms that were potentially compatible with SARS-COV-2 infection. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Measuring the Quality of Rural-Based, Government Health Care Workers in Nepal

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice ◽

10.46743/1540-580x/2010.1281 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Stephen Knoble ◽

Anil Pandit ◽

Bibek Koirala ◽

Laxmi Ghimire

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Clinical Training ◽

Health Workers ◽

Clinical Skills ◽

Clinical Teacher ◽

Government Health ◽

Care Workers ◽

Key Skills ◽

Significant Difference

A representative, cross-sectional clinical skills assessment of 163 mid-level, rural-based, government health care workers was conducted in four districts of Nepal in June 2007. All Health Assistants and Auxiliary Healthcare Workers within the target districts were scored using checklists of standardized key skills in clinical encounters with model patients or clinical models. Participant scores were reported as a mean percentage in adult medicine 28(%), pediatric medicine 56(%), maternity medicine 35(%), orthopedic medicine 45(%), clinical procedures 59(%), and management 46(%). This was measured against the government’s 60(%) standard on clinical skills. There was little significant difference between categories of health workers by district of posting or years of experience. There was a minor difference in skills by level of facility - workers in higher level facilities scored better across the domains. Reasons for poor performance in clinical skills were attributed to a lack of clinical in-service training programs, training only focusing on prevention and public health, and poor on-sight supervision. Poor pre-service schooling factors included heavy theory concentration in pathophysiology and inadequate clinical exposure opportunities. Recommendations for the improvement of clinical skills and decision-making include the institution of in-service competency-based training with a high emphasis on real patient exposure. Pre-service recommendations include implementation of a national certification program and an expansion of the current government clinical training sites and clinical teacher development programs.

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Incidence of COVID-19 infection amongst the high risk versus low risk health care workers: an audit from a tertiary cancer care centre

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20212604 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 3474

Author(s):

Nitin Shetty ◽

Nivedita Chakrabarty ◽

Amit Joshi ◽

Amar Patil ◽

Suyash Kulkarni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

High Risk ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Low Risk ◽

Care Centre ◽

Protective Measures ◽

Care Workers ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Treatment Research

Background: Theoretically, health care workers (HCW) are at increased risk of getting infected with COVID-19 compared to the general population. Limited data exists regarding the actual incidence of COVID-19 infection amongst the high risk and low risk HCW of the same hospital. We present an audit from our tertiary cancer care centre comparing the COVID-19 infection rate between the high risk and low risk HCW, all of whom had been provided with adequate protective measures and health education.Methods: This is a retrospective observational study from 01 April 2020 to 30 September 2020, in which all the 970 HCW of Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer were divided into high risk and low risk groups. High risk HCW included all the medical and non-medical staff directly involved with the care of COVID-19 patients, and rest were low risk HCW. Adequate protective measures and classes for infection prevention were provided to all the HCW. We calculated the incidence of COVID-19 infection in both these groups based on the positive real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) result and also looked for any significant difference in incidence between these two groups.Results: The incidence of COVID-19 infection amongst the high risk HCW was 13% and that of low risk HCW was 14%.Conclusions: We found no significant difference in COVID-19 infection between the high risk and low risk HCW. Thus, along with protective measures, behavior modifications induced by working in high risk areas, prevented the high risk HCW from getting increased COVID-19 infection compared to the low risk HCW.

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AIDS Dementia Complex: The Perception of Loss of Functional Ability

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/030802260206501105 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 65 (11) ◽

pp. 509-514

Author(s):

Kate Gregory ◽

Deanna Gibbs

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Functional Ability ◽

Aids Dementia Complex ◽

Limited Information ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Aids Dementia ◽

Care Workers ◽

And Function

AIDS Dementia Complex (ADC) is a subcortical dementia often associated with HIV disease. Despite undergoing numerous assessments of cognition and function to determine their need for personal care assistance, there is limited information on how individuals with ADC view their functional and cognitive impairments and the subsequent effect on their lifestyle. This study investigated issues of concern to clients with ADC in order to provide a greater understanding of the psychological effect of the loss of functional ability. A qualitative design was used to explore individuals' experience of ADC and clarify their insight and perception regarding the loss of function. The participants were selected by the use of purposeful sampling techniques. Information was obtained through semi-structured interviews and analysed using an analytic induction method. Five main themes were identified as being important in relation to the perception of functional ability. Discrepancies emerged between the insights of individuals with ADC regarding their level of function and their need for assistance and support with activities of daily living, compared with those of the health care workers involved in their care. Health care workers need to have an awareness of the insight that individuals with ADC may have into their functional ability when addressing issues of supported accommodation and level of assistance required.

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SARS-CoV-2–Specific Neutralizing Antibody Responses in Norwegian Health Care Workers After the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study

The Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/infdis/jiaa737 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mai-Chi Trieu ◽

Amit Bansal ◽

Anders Madsen ◽

Fan Zhou ◽

Marianne Sævik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Patient Exposure ◽

Specific Antibodies ◽

Care Workers

Abstract Background During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many countries experienced infection in health care workers (HCW) due to overburdened health care systems. Whether infected HCW acquire protective immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is unclear. Methods In a Norwegian prospective cohort study, we enrolled 607 HCW before and after the first COVID-19 wave. Exposure history, COVID-19–like symptoms, and serum samples were collected. SARS-CoV-2–specific antibodies were characterized by spike-protein IgG/IgM/IgA enzyme-linked immunosorbent and live-virus neutralization assays. Results Spike-specific IgG/IgM/IgA antibodies increased after the first wave in HCW with, but not in HCW without, COVID-19 patient exposure. Thirty-two HCW (5.3%) had spike-specific antibodies (11 seroconverted with ≥4-fold increase, 21 were seropositive at baseline). Neutralizing antibodies were found in 11 HCW that seroconverted, of whom 4 (36.4%) were asymptomatic. Ninety-seven HCW were tested by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) during follow-up; 8 were positive (7 seroconverted, 1 had undetectable antibodies). Conclusions We found increases in SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in infected HCW, especially after COVID-19 patient exposure. Our data show a low number of SARS-CoV-2–seropositive HCW in a low-prevalence setting; however, the proportion of seropositivity was higher than RT-PCR positivity, highlighting the importance of antibody testing.

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Infection, screening, and psychological stress of health care workers with COVID-19 in a non-frontline clinical department

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2020.428 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-25

Author(s):

Ge Wang ◽

Jia-Lun Guan ◽

Xiu-Qing Zhu ◽

Mu-Ru Wang ◽

Dan Fang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care ◽

Psychological Stress ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Close Contact ◽

Endoscopic Examination ◽

Viral Shedding ◽

Clinical Department ◽

Care Workers ◽

Ward Rounds

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate risk factors and psychological stress of health care workers (HCWs) with COVID-19 in a non-frontline clinical department. Methods: Data of 2 source patients and all HCWs with infection risk were obtained in a department in Wuhan from January to February 2020. A questionnaire was designed to evaluate psychological stress of COVID-19 on HCWs. Results: The overall infection rate was 4.8% in HCWs. 10 of 25 HCWs who contacted with 2 source patients were diagnosed with confirmed COVID-19 (8/10) and suspected COVID-19 (2/10). Other 2 HCWs were transmitted by other patients or colleagues. Close care behaviours included physical examination (6/12), life nursing (4/12), ward rounds (4/12), endoscopic examination (2/12). Contacts fluctuated from 1 to 24 times and each contact was short (8.1 min ± 5.6 min). HCWs wore surgical masks (11/12), gloves (7/12), and isolation clothing (3/12) when providing medical care. Most HCWs experienced a mild course with 2 asymptomatic infections, taking 9.8 days and 20.9 days to obtain viral shedding and clinical cure, respectively. Psychological stress included worry (58.3%), anxiety (83.3%), depression (58.3%), and insomnia (58.3%). Conclusions: Close contact with COVID-19 patients and insufficient protection were key risk factors. Precaution measures and psychological support on COVID-19 is urgently required for HCWs.

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