Occupational Risks of Health Professionals

AbstractObjectiveTo quantify occupational risks of Covid-19 among healthcare staff during the first wave of the pandemic in EnglandMethodsUsing pseudonymised data on 902,813 individuals continuously employed by 191 National Health Service trusts during 1.1.19 to 31.7.20, we explored demographic and occupational risk factors for sickness absence ascribed to Covid-19 during 9.3.20 to 31.7.20 (n = 92,880). We estimated odds ratios (ORs) by multivariate logistic regression.ResultsWith adjustment for employing trust, demographic characteristics, and previous frequency of sickness absence, risk relative to administrative/clerical occupations was highest in additional clinical services (a group that included care assistants) (OR 2.31), registered nursing and midwifery professionals (OR 2.28) and allied health professionals (OR 1.94), and intermediate in doctors and dentists (OR 1.55). Differences in risk were higher after the employing trust had started to care for documented Covid-19 patients, and were reduced, but not eliminated, following additional adjustment for exposure to infected patients or materials, assessed by a job-exposure matrix. For prolonged Covid-19 sickness absence (episodes lasting >14 days), the variation in risk by staff group was somewhat greater.ConclusionsAfter allowance for possible bias and confounding by non-occupational exposures, we estimated that relative risks for Covid-19 among most patient-facing occupations were between 1.5 and 2.5. The highest risks were in those working in additional clinical services, nursing and midwifery and in allied health professions. Better protective measures for these staff groups should be a priority. Covid-19 may meet criteria for compensation as an occupational disease in some healthcare occupations.Key messagesWhat is already known about this subject?Healthcare workers and other keyworkers (workers whose job was considered essential to societal functioning) had a higher likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19 than other workers during the first lockdown in England. Amongst healthcare workers, those working in inpatient settings had the highest rate of infection.What are the new findings?Between March and July 2000, the overall risk of COVID-19 sickness absence in National Health Service staff in England was lower at older ages, higher in non-white staff, and (in comparison with administrative and clerical staff) more than doubled in registered nurses and among workers such as healthcare assistants providing support to health professionals. Risk in health care scientists was little different from that in administrative and clerical occupationsHow might this impact on policy or clinical practice in the foreseeable future?Our results suggest that the risk reduction strategies that were in place for healthcare scientists were effective. However, the protection for nursing and supporting health professionals was insufficient. In the event of a further ‘wave’ of infections resulting in high hospital admissions, attention should be paid to ensuring that risk reduction strategies for nurses and supporting health professionals are improved.

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RISCO OCUPACIONAL ENTRE PROFISSIONAIS DE SAÚDE DO SERVIÇO DE ATENDIMENTO MÓVEL DE URGÊNCIA - SAMU

Enfermagem em Foco ◽

10.21675/2357-707x.2016.v7.n3/4.912 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (3/4) ◽

pp. 31-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hillda Dandara Carvalho Santos Leite ◽

Maycon Teyllon Rodrigues De Carvalho ◽

Suelky Lilyan Da Silva Cariman ◽

Eronice Ribeiro de Morais Araújo ◽

Naldiana Cerqueira Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Care ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Weight Lifting ◽

Psychosocial Risk ◽

Participatory Management ◽

Mobile Service ◽

Occupational Risks ◽

Desarrollo Profesional ◽

Car Crash ◽

Transversal Study

Objetivo: avaliar os riscos ocupacionais referidos pelos profissionais de saúde do SAMU de Teresina - PI. Metodologia: estudo do tipo descritivo, transversal, realizado com 69 profissionais de saúde do SAMU de Teresina - PI mediante aplicação de um questionário com perguntas fechadas. Resultados: entre os riscos físicos, 87% (60) destacaram os ruídos da sirene; 79,7% (55) afirmaram a colisão de automóveis como principal risco de acidente; 79,7% (55) informaram ser o levantamento de peso o principal risco ergonômico; 89,9% (62) apontaram o sangue como o principal risco biológico; 63,8% (44) afirmaram que a poeira é o principal risco químico, e 82,6% (57) destacaram o estresse como principal risco psicossocial. Conclusão: a gestão participativa e o aperfeiçoamento profissional poderão minimizar a exposição dos servidores desse serviço a tais riscos.Descritores: Riscos ocupacionais, SAMU, EnfermagemOCCUPATIONAL RISK AMONG HEALTH PROFESSIONAL OF THE MOBILE SERVICE OF EMERGENCY CARE - SAMUObjective: evaluate the occupational risks referred to by health professionals of the Mobile Service of Emergency Care, Teresina- PI. Methodology: descriptive and transversal study, conducted with 69 health professionals from SAMU Teresina – PI. Data collection was performed by a questionnaire with closed questions. Results: Among the physical risks, 87% (60) highlighted noise of the siren; 79,7 % (55) said the car crash as a major risk of accidents; 79.7 % (55) reported to be weight lifting the main ergonomic risk; 89.9 % (62) showed the blood as the main biological risk; 63.8 % (44) stated that the dust is the main chemical risk and 82.6 % (57) highlighted stress as main psychosocial risk. Conclusion: Participatory management and professional development can minimize exposure of the servers that service to such risksDescriptors: Occupational risks, Emergency Medical Services, NursingRIESGOS LABORALES ENTRE PROFESIONALES DE UN SERVICIO MÓVIL DE URGENCIA - SAMUObjetivo: evaluar los riesgos profesionales mencionados por los profesionales de la salud SAMU de Teresina - PI. Metodologia: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, realizado con 69 profesionales de la salud de SAMU Teresina - PI , un cuestionario con preguntas cerradas. Resultados: entre riesgos física 87% (60) puso de relieve que el ruido de la sirena; 79,7 % (55) dijo que el accidente de coche como el principal riesgo de accidentes; 79,7 % (55) informó de que el levantamiento de pesas el principal riesgo ergonómico; 89,9 % (62) mostró la sangre como principal riesgo biológico; 63,8 % (44) declaró que el polvo es el principal riesgo químico y el 82,6 % (57) destacó el estrés psicosocial como el riesgo principal. Conclusión: La gestión participativa y el desarrollo profesional pueden minimizar la exposición de los servidores que dan servicio a este tipo de riesgos.Descriptores: Riesgos laborales, Servicios Médicos de Urgencia, Enfermería

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Pre-hospital assistance by ambulance in the context of coronavirus infections

Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem ◽

10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0657 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 74 (suppl 1) ◽

Author(s):

Amanda Ferreira Araujo ◽

Eric Rosa Pereira ◽

Sabrina da Costa Machado Duarte ◽

Priscilla Valladares Broca

Keyword(s):

Health Professionals ◽

Hospital Care ◽

Professional Training ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Occupational Risks ◽

Surgical Masks ◽

Emergency Ambulance ◽

Care Health ◽

Coronavirus Infection ◽

Safe Care

ABSTRACT Objective: To reflect on the safe care exercised by the pre-hospital care team by emergency ambulance in times of coronavirus infection. Method: A reflection and description of how to provide safe care to the patient and the professional during pre-hospital care in times of coronavirus infection. Results: To ensure the health of all those involved in the care, health professionals who work in pre-hospital care by emergency ambulance should use the recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as the use of surgical masks and N95, N99, N100, PFF2 or PFF3, the use of an apron or overall, goggles and face shield, gloves and a hat. The entire team must receive training and demonstrate the ability to use PPE correctly and safely. Final considerations: The professional working in the pre-hospital care by ambulance is exposed to a series of occupational risks that need to be discussed and minimized through professional training.

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Insalubrity in speech therapy and audiology: a brief review

Revista CEFAC ◽

10.1590/1982-021620171944617 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 451-454

Author(s):

Gabriella de Oliveira Ribeiro ◽

Maria Isabel de Oliveira e Britto Villalobos ◽

Francisnele Maria de Aquino Fraporti Tomáz ◽

Paulo Franco Taitson ◽

Ana Teresa Brandão de Oliveira e Britto

Keyword(s):

Federal Government ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Speech Therapy ◽

Biological Agents ◽

Labor Laws ◽

Tolerance Limits ◽

Occupational Risks ◽

Brazilian Legislation ◽

Speech Therapists

ABSTRACT Purpose: to expose in a brief discussion the questions about the insalubrity pertinent to speech therapists and audiologists’ performance. Methods: a review of the Portal of Legislation of the Brazilian Federal Government about labor laws, health and health professionals was carried out. Results: according to NR-15, activities that are above the level of tolerance foreseen in the regulations are considered unhealthy activities, in which the performance of speech-language therapists and audiologists is directly related to the tolerance limits for biological agents. Conclusion: speech therapists and audiologists as well as several other health professionals present occupational risks in their work. The Brazilian legislation is broad, however, it is necessary to analyze these professionals more deeply with regard to their health.

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BREATHE: A Pilot Study of a One-Day Retreat to Reduce Burnout Among Mental Health Professionals

Yearbook of Psychiatry and Applied Mental Health ◽

10.1016/j.ypsy.2011.07.092 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 356-357

Author(s):

J.C. Ballenger

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals

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Arbeitsengagement und Belastungserleben von Health Professionals in Zeiten der Corona-Pandemie

Pflege ◽

10.1024/1012-5302/a000759 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (5) ◽

pp. 299-307

Author(s):

Domenika Wildgruber ◽

Jana Frey ◽

Max Seer ◽

Kristina Pinther ◽

Clemens Koob ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Professionals ◽

Soziale Medien

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Die Corona-Pandemie führte zu einer starken Beanspruchung von Health Professionals, deren allgemeine berufliche Situation mit einem hohem Belastungserleben verbunden ist. Quantitative Daten zum Belastungserleben der im Gesundheitswesen Tätigen in der Corona-Pandemie und mögliche Auswirkungen auf das Arbeitsengagement fehlen bis dato für Deutschland. Methode: Mittels einer Querschnittsbefragung wurden das Stresserleben, die Sorge um die Gesundheit und das Arbeitsengagement von Health Professionals deutschlandweit erhoben. Das „snapshot survey“ nutzte neben selbst entwickelten Fragen Items eines validierten Instrumentes zur Erfassung des Arbeitsengagements. Über soziale Medien wurden in Form einer Gelegenheitsstichprobe Health Professionals zur Teilnahme eingeladen. Es konnten 1168 gültige Fälle ausgewertet werden. Die Teilnehmenden waren mehrheitlich Pflegende (80 %, n = 855). Ergebnisse: Es zeigt sich, dass Health Professionals mit Direktkontakt zu COVID-19-Erkrankten im Gegensatz zu Befragten ohne Kontakt ein höheres Stresslevel angeben (MW = 3,81, SD = 1,09 vs. MW = 3,44, SD = 1,12, t(1062) = 5,40, p < 0,001; ε = 0,33), sich am meisten Sorgen um die Gesundheit ihrer Angehörigen sowie von Freundinnen und Freunden machen und dass diese Sorgen größer als bei Health Professionals ohne Kontakt sind (MW = 4,45, SD = 0,84 vs. MW = 4,19, SD = 0,94, t(1062) = 4,74, p < 0,001; ε = 0,29). Die Korrelationsanalysen (r = –0,182, p < 0,001) und die multiple Regressionsanalyse (β = –0,182, p < 0,001) ergaben, dass das Arbeitsengagement mit steigendem, pandemiebedingtem Stress abnimmt. Diskussion: Es zeigen sich theoriekonforme Zusammenhänge zwischen Anforderungen, Stresserleben und Arbeitsengagement. Im Vergleich zu früheren Studien ist das Arbeitsengagement in der Stichprobe gering. Zur Reduktion psychischer Belastungsfaktoren in einer Pandemie liegen vielfältige Empfehlungen vor, die nun auch in der Breite für Deutschland zur Anwendung kommen sollten. Hierzu zählen beispielsweise pandemiespezifische Präventionspläne oder die Schaffung eines sanktionsfreien Arbeitsumfeldes.

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Stakeholder Perspectives on the Stigma of Suicide Attempt Survivors

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000413 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 73-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Lindsay L. Sheehan ◽

Patrick W. Corrigan ◽

Maya A. Al-Khouja ◽

Keyword(s):

Suicide Attempt ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Community Based Participatory Research ◽

Public Stigma ◽

Suicide Method ◽

Community Based ◽

Stakeholder Perspectives ◽

Personal Experiences ◽

Prejudice And Discrimination

Abstract. Background: Past scholarly efforts to describe and measure the stigma surrounding suicide have largely viewed suicide stigma from the perspective of the general public. Aims: In the spirit of community-based participatory research (CBPR), the current study brought together a diverse stakeholder team to qualitatively investigate the suicide stigma as experienced by those most intimately affected by suicide. Method: Seven focus groups (n = 62) were conducted with suicide attempt survivors, family members of those who died by suicide, and suicide loss therapists. Results: Themes were derived for stereotypes (n = 30), prejudice (n = 3), and discrimination (n = 4). People who attempted suicide were seen as attention-seeking, selfish, incompetent, emotionally weak, and immoral. Participants described personal experiences of prejudice and discrimination, including those with health professionals. Conclusion: Participants experienced public stigma, self-stigma, and label avoidance. Analyses reveal that the stigma of suicide shares similarities with stereotypes of mental illness, but also includes some important differences. Attempt survivors may be subject to double stigma, which impedes recovery and access to care.

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Facing a Patient Who Seeks Help After a Suicide Attempt

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000242 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 110-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Inês Areal Rothes ◽

Margarida Rangel Henriques ◽

Joana Barreiros Leal ◽

Marina Serra Lemos

Keyword(s):

Health Professionals ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Self Report ◽

Suicidal Patient ◽

Emotional Difficulties ◽

Specific Training ◽

Patient Suicide ◽

Professional Groups ◽

Professional Characteristics ◽

Suicidal Patients

Background: Although intervention with suicidal patients is one of the hardest tasks in clinical practice, little is known about health professionals’ perceptions about the difficulties of working with suicidal patients. Aims: The aims of this study were to: (1) describe the difficulties of professionals facing a suicidal patient; (2) analyze the differences in difficulties according to the sociodemographic and professional characteristics of the health professionals; and (3) identify the health professionals’ perceived skills and thoughts on the need for training in suicide. Method: A self-report questionnaire developed for this purpose was filled out by 196 health professionals. Exploratory principal components analyses were used. Results: Four factors were found: technical difficulties; emotional difficulties; relational and communicational difficulties; and family-approaching and logistic difficulties. Differences were found between professionals who had or did not have training in suicide, between professional groups, and between the number of patient suicide attempts. Sixty percent of the participants reported a personal need for training and 85% thought it was fundamental to implement training plans targeted at health professionals. Conclusion: Specific training is fundamental. Experiential and active methodologies should be used and technical, relational, and emotional questions must be included in the training syllabus.

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