Healthy worker hire and survivor effects in a cohort of medical radiation workers.

BACKGROUND: The healthy worker effect may distort the association between exposure and health effects in workers. However, few studies have investigated both the healthy worker hire and survival effects simultaneously, and they are limited to mortality studies in male workers. METHODS: We utilized a data set comprising South Korean diagnostic medical radiation workers registered in the National Dose Registry between 1996 and 2011, and merged it with mortality and cancer incidence data. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were computed for comparison with the general population. To account for time-varying confounders influenced by prior occupational radiation exposure, we applied g-estimation using structural nested accelerated failure time models and compared the outcomes with those from Weibull regression. RESULTS: A total of 1831 deaths and 3759 first primary cancer cases were identified among 93 918 workers. Both male (SMR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.46) and female workers (SMR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.60) showed lower mortality rates compared with national rates. In the SIR analysis, male workers exhibited reduced risks of solid cancer whereas female workers had increased risks. The g-estimation-derived hazard ratios (HRs) from radiation exposure exceeded those from Weibull regression estimates for all-cause death (HR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.97, 3.23) and all-cancer incidence (HR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.52, 2.55) in male workers whereas female workers showed the opposite results. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive consideration of the healthy worker effect by sex is essential for estimating the unbiased impact of occupational exposure on health outcomes, notably in studies focusing on male mortality.

Effects and implementation of an intervention to improve sleep, fatigue and recovery among healthcare workers with night shifts: A pre- and post-test study.

BACKGROUND: Previous intervention studies among night workers mainly focused on single interventions and found inconclusive evidence for effectiveness. A comprehensive intervention approach that includes individual and environmental components has been argued as important. Gaining insight into contributing factors for the implementation of interventions for night workers and effectiveness is important to distinguish between theory and programme failure. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects and implementation of the PerfectFit@Night intervention to improve sleep, fatigue and recovery of night workers in healthcare, using the RE-AIM framework, which assesses reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance of interventions. DESIGN: A prospective pre-post study design, with two measurements before and three and six months after the intervention. SETTING: Twelve different departments of a university hospital in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Healthcare workers working night shifts (n = 210). METHODS: PerfectFit@Night consisted of environmental (provision of a powernap bed and healthy food, and workshop healthy rostering) and individual elements (e-learning and sleep coaching) and was implemented for three months in a phased manner. Questionnaires, logbooks and interview data were used. Effects of the intervention on sleep, fatigue and recovery were evaluated with mixed-effects models, and implementation factors of reach, adoption, implementation and maintenance were evaluated. RESULTS: Night shift-related insomnia (-11 %-points, 95 % CI: -19 %, -4 % at three months), need for recovery (ß: -2.45, 95 % CI: -4.86, -0.03 at six months) and fatigue (OR: 0.46, 95 % CI: 0.25, 0.86 at six months) decreased significantly after the intervention. No changes were found for subjective sleep quality and sleep duration. Barriers and facilitators for implementation were identified for each intervention element at individual (e.g., dietary preferences), organisational (e.g., responsibilities at work) and workplace levels (e.g., location of power nap bed), and for the intervention itself (e.g., useful information in e-learning). Although satisfaction was high and continuation was preferred, embedding of the intervention in the daily routine was limited. Facilitators for future implementation include a positive attitude towards the intervention, clear guidelines regarding intervention elements, appointment of night workers as ambassadors, and suitable conditions in terms of work demands and for the intervention elements. CONCLUSIONS: The multi-faceted PerfectFit@Night intervention reduced insomnia, fatigue and need for recovery in night workers in healthcare. The most important facilitators to improve the implementation of PerfectFit@Night exist at the organisational level (e.g., positive attitude within the culture and suitable work demands). Combining effect and implementation evaluation is crucial to identify barriers and facilitators that hamper or enhance intervention effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in the Netherlands Trial Register on 17 January 2021 (trial number NL9224).

Factors influencing intercultural competences of hospital workers for multicultural patients in South Korea.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the intercultural competence of general hospital workers in South Korea by examining their understanding of cultural diversity in healthcare and to identify factors influencing their intercultural competence. Methods: A cross-institutional survey was conducted with 439 participants from four South Korean general hospitals, employing inferential statistics such as one-way Analysis of Variance, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis test followed by post-hoc, and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: While 85% (n = 362) of participants acknowledged the significance of multiculturalism in Korean society, only 11% (n = 49) felt competent in treating multicultural patients. Additionally, 72% (n = 315) experienced significant linguistic difficulties in medical communication. Multiple regression analysis identified advanced English competency, multicultural training experiences, and peer support with organizational awareness of multicultural importance as significant positive contributors to intercultural competence. Conclusions: Despite recognizing the importance of multiculturalism, general hospital workers face significant language barriers and low self-efficacy in providing care to multicultural patients. To address these challenges, hospitals should designate resident translators for culturally appropriate communication. Furthermore, a tri-tiered training approach is proposed to enhance the five domains of intercultural competence among general hospital workers in Korea, including overarching multicultural training, occupation-specific courses, and long-term managerial programs aimed at managing cultural diversity effectively in healthcare settings.

Betrayal-Based Moral Injury and Mental Health Problems Among Healthcare and Hospital Workers Serving COVID-19 Patients.

One factor potentially driving healthcare and hospital worker (HHW)'s declining mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic is feeling betrayed by institutional leaders, coworkers, and/or others' pandemic-related responses and behaviors. We investigated whether HHWs' betrayal-based moral injury was associated with greater mental distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms related to COVID-19. We also examined if these associations varied between clinical and non-clinical staff. From July 2020 to January 2021, cross-sectional online survey data were collected from 1,066 HHWs serving COVID-19 patients in a large urban US healthcare system. We measured betrayal-based moral injury in three groups: institutional leaders, coworkers/colleagues, and people outside of healthcare. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate whether betrayal-based moral injury was associated with mental distress and PTSD symptoms. Approximately one-third of HHWs reported feeling betrayed by institutional leaders, and/or people outside healthcare. Clinical staff were more likely to report feelings of betrayal than non-clinical staff. For all respondents, 49.5% reported mental distress and 38.2% reported PTSD symptoms. Having any feelings of betrayal increased the odds of mental distress and PTSD symptoms by 2.9 and 3.3 times, respectively. These associations were not significantly different between clinical and non-clinical staff. As health systems seek to enhance support of HHWs, they need to carefully examine institutional structures, accountability, communication, and decision-making patterns that can result in staff feelings of betrayal. Building trust and repairing ruptures with HHWs could prevent potential mental health problems, increase retention, and reduce burnout, while likely improving patient care.

Prolonged facemask wearing among hospital workers and dry eye - a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged facemask wearing may have negatively affected essential workers with dry eye. We conducted a mixed-methods study to examine and understand the associations of the ocular surface, periocular environment, and dry eye-related symptoms among hospital workers across the job spectrum with prolonged facemask use. METHODS: We recruited clinical and non-clinical hospital workers with self-reported symptoms of dry eye and prolonged facemask use. We measured symptoms using the 5-item Dry Eye Questionnaire and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Objective ocular signs included corneal and conjunctival staining, fluorescein tear break up time (TBUT), meibography, tear film interferometry, and periocular humidity. We compared symptoms and signs across levels of periocular humidity, dry eye severity, facemask type, and job type. Participants with moderate or severe dry eye symptoms (OSDI > = 23) were invited for a semi-structured, one-on-one interview. RESULTS: We enrolled 20 clinical and 21 non-clinical hospital workers: 27% were 40 years or older, 76% were female, 29% reported a race other than White, and 20% were Hispanic. Seventeen individuals participated in the semi-structured interviews. From the quantitative analyses, we found that 90% of participants reported worsened severity of dry eye at work due to facemasks. Although wearing facemasks resulted in higher periocular humidity levels compared with not wearing facemasks, 66% participants reported increased airflow over their eyes. Findings from the qualitative interviews supported the finding that use of facemasks worsened dry eye symptoms, especially when facemasks were not fitted around the nose. The data did not suggest that non-clinical hospital workers experienced a greater impact of dry eye than clinical workers. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers and patients with dry eye should be educated about the discomfort and the ocular surface health risks associated with inadequately fitted facemasks. Wearing a fitted facemask with a pliable nose wire appears to mitigate the upward airflow.

Workplace leave patterns among Victorian health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We analysed aggregate work absences during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from two Victorian hospital sites and corresponding individual-level survey data to understand changes in the rates and types of workplace absence. We found changing reasons for workplace absences as the pandemic progressed and observed higher rates of annual and sick leave during the months coinciding with increased COVID-19 cases and workforce burnout.

Analysis of the mental health status of hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Medical work is a complex and interpersonally sensitive job; clinicians interact with patients, colleagues and society-at-large daily, and they are under pressure from a variety of sources. The doctor-patient relationship is of particular concern. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the current mental health status of hospital staff and related influencing factors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: The Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7) were used to survey the current mental health status of hospital employees. The resulting qualitative data was described in the form of frequency and percentage (%), and the quantitative data were expressed as mean±standard deviation (X¯±S). RESULTS: A total of 1,074 employees of The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University participated in the mental health survey, of whom 77.47% were women. The SCL-90 score was 133.89±48.87, and the three highest scoring factors were depression, somatisation and obsessions, with factor scores of 19.10±8.14, 16.78±6.21 and 16.27±6.39, respectively. The GAD-7 score was 3.74±4.17 for women and 2.14±3.55 for men. The number of women with anxiety disorders was higher compared with men. CONCLUSION: The mental health status of hospital workers with different demographic characteristics varied greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Active attention needs to be paid to the mental health status of hospital staff.

Chromosomal damage in occupationally exposed health professionals assessed by two cytogenetic methods.

The study assessed occupationally induced chromosomal damage in hospital personnel at risk of exposure to antineoplastic drugs and/or low doses of ionizing radiation by two cytogenetic methods. Cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes of eighty-five hospital workers were examined twice over 2 to 3 years by classical chromosomal aberration analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The comparison of the 1st and the 2nd sampling of hospital workers showed a significant increase in chromatid and chromosomal aberrations (all p < .05) examined by classical chromosomal aberration analysis, and in unstable aberrations (all p < .05) detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Both cytogenetic methods were able to detect an increase of unstable aberrations in the 2nd sampling. The raised frequency of unstable cytogenetic parameters suggested higher recent exposure to genotoxic agents.

COVID-19 infection prevention and control for hospital workers in Indonesia.

Introduction: The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 led to a global pandemic, posing unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems, particularly in hospitals. Purpose: This study explores the intricacies of strategies employed for preventing and controlling COVID-19 in Indonesian hospitals, with a particular focus on the protocols, challenges, and solutions faced by healthcare professionals. Methods: Using a cross-sectional analysis, we examined 27 hospitals and uncovered disparities in their preparedness levels. During our investigation, we observed the robust implementation of infection prevention measures, which encompassed stringent protocols, adequate ventilation, and proper use of personal protective equipment. However, shortcomings were identified in areas such as surveillance, mental health support, and patient management. Discussion: This study underscores the importance of addressing these gaps, suggesting tailored interventions, and continuous training for healthcare staff. Effective leadership, positive team dynamics, and adherence to comprehensive policies emerge as pivotal factors. Hospitals should strengthen weak areas, ensure the ethical execution of emergency protocols, and integrate technology for tracking and improving standard operating procedures. By enhancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare workers and maintaining strong management practices, hospitals can optimize their efforts in COVID-19 prevention and control, thereby safeguarding the wellbeing of professionals, patients, and communities.

The Effect of COVID-19 Safety Protocols on Hospital Workers' Mental Health: A Moderated-Mediation Model of COVID-19 Anxiety and Psychological Resilience.

Social distancing measures can create psychological issues, especially among hospital staff who constantly deal with emergency patients. To explore the mediating role of COVID-19 anxiety on the association between COVID-19 safety protocols and mental health, and to test the moderating role of resilience between COVID-19 safety protocols and COVID-19 anxiety, this work collected data on hospital staff in terms of COVID-19 safety protocols, psychological resilience, COVID-19 anxiety, and improving staff mental health. The effects of the use of COVID-19 safety protocols on COVID-19 anxiety and the mental health of hospital workers in China were also analyzed. The experimental results showed that resilience remarkably moderated COVID-19 safety protocols and COVID-19 anxiety among Chinese hospital staff.

Allowing access to parents/caregivers into COVID-19 hospitalization areas does not increase infections among health personnel in a pediatric hospital.

Background: At the beginning of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it became critical to isolate all infected patients, regardless of their age. Isolating children has a negative effect on both, them and their parents/caregivers. Nevertheless isolation was mandatory because of the potential risk that visitation might have on COVID-19 dissemination mostly among health personnel. Methods: From the starting of the COVID-19 pandemic in our pediatric hospital visits were forbidden. This 2 months period (April-May) was called P1. In June parents were allowed to visit (P2), under a visiting protocol previously published. Hospital workers were monitored for the presence of COVID-19 symptoms and tested for the infection when clinically justified. The positivity proportion and the relative risk (RR) of COVID-19 among the health personnel between periods were calculated. The caregivers were also followed up by phone calls. Results: Since April 2020 to November 2020, 2,884 health personnel were studied for 234 days, (318,146 workers days). Although the COVID-19/1,000 health personnel days rate decreased from one period to another (1.43 vs 1.23), no statistically significant differences were found. During P1, 16 patients with COVID-19 were treated. During the follow up none of the family members were infected/symptomatic in P1, while in P2, 6/129 (4.65%) were symptomatic or had a positive test. All of them initiated between 2 and 4 days after the patient's admission. As they also had some other infected family members it was not possible to ensure the source of infection. There were no statistically significant differences in the RR of COVID-19 in health personnel, (RR 1, 95% CI 0.69-1.06, p = 0.162). Conclusions: When safely implemented, allowing parents/caregivers to spend time with their hospitalized COVID-19 children does not increase the contagion risk for hospital workers or among themselves.

Factors associated with complications from COVID-19 in hospital workers: A retrospective cohort study. / Factores asociados a complicaciones por COVID-19 en trabajadores hospitalarios: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo.

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare professionals represents a threat to the healthcare system. Objectives: To identify factors associated with complications from COVID-19 in healthcare workers infected by SARS-CoV-2, in a specialized national hospital level III in Peru in 2020. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. Health personnel who were working at Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal of Peru participated. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics and results of the Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test were collected from the medical records and epidemiological files. Simple and multiple regression models were used to estimate the risk factors of complications due to COVID-19. Results: We found 1048 suspected cases, and 26.2% had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of those infected, 20.8% had comorbidity, and 55% reported contact with COVID-19 patients in health care settings. Moreover, 27.4% of infected workers were administrative personnel, 24.1% were nursing technicians, 18.3% were nurses, and 13.1% were physicians. We also found that 24.1% presented complications from COVID-19, and three workers died. In a multiple regression, the risk factors for complications due to COVID-19 were the presence of comorbidity (risk ratio: 2.94; 95% confidence interval: 1.95 to 4.42), 30 years or older (1.28; 0.6 to 2.75), 60 years or older (2.04; 0.88 to 4.74), male sex (1.1; 0.71 to 1.7) and care work area (1.02; 0.06 to 2.62). Conclusions: The findings in the present study show an association between the presence of comorbidities and an increased risk of presenting complications due to COVID-19 in healthcare workers, regardless of age, sex and area of work.

Introducción: La infección por SARS-CoV-2 en profesionales sanitarios representa una amenaza para el sistema de salud. Objetivos: Identificar factores asociados a complicaciones por COVID-19 en trabajadores sanitarios, infectados por SARS-CoV-2 y que pertenecen a un hospital nacional especializado de tercer nivel de Perú en el año 2020. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo. Participaron trabajadores sanitarios infectados por SARS-CoV-2, que trabajaron en el Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal entre abril y diciembre de 2020. Se recogieron características clínicas y epidemiológicas, más resultados de la prueba de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcriptasa inversa (PCR-TR) a partir de historias clínicas y fichas clínico epidemiológicas. Se utilizó regresión simple y múltiple para estimar los riesgos relativos de complicaciones por COVID-19. Resultados: Se identificaron 1048 casos sospechosos, de ellos 26,2% tuvo infección confirmada de SARS-CoV-2. Del personal sanitario infectado, el 20,8% tuvo alguna comorbilidad, 55% manifestó atención a pacientes COVID-19, 27,4% fue personal administrativo, 24,1% técnico en enfermería, 18,3% licenciada de enfermería y 13,1% personal médico. El 24,1% presentó complicaciones por COVID-19 y tres trabajadores sanitarios fallecieron. En regresión múltiple, se obtuvo riesgos relativos para complicaciones por COVID-19 según presencia de comorbilidad (riesgo relativo: 2,94; intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,95 a 4,42), edad de 30 años a más ( 1,28; 95%: 0,6 a 2,75), 60 años a más ( 2,04; 95%: 0,88 a 4,74), sexo masculino ( 1,1; 95%: 0,71 a 1,7) y área laboral asistencial ( 1,02; 95%: 0,06 a 2,62). Conclusiones: Los hallazgos sugieren que en trabajadores sanitarios infectados por SARS-CoV-2, la presencia de comorbilidades está asociada a complicaciones por COVID-19, independientemente de la edad, el sexo y del área laboral.

Factores asociados a complicaciones por COVID-19 en trabajadores hospitalarios: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo / Factors associated with complications from COVID-19 in hospital workers: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare professionals represents a threat to the healthcare system. Objectives: To identify factors associated with complications from COVID-19 in healthcare workers infected by SARS-CoV-2, in a specialized national hospital level III in Peru in 2020. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. Health personnel who were working at Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal of Peru participated. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics and results of the Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test were collected from the medical records and epidemiological files. Simple and multiple regression models were used to estimate the risk factors of complications due to COVID-19. Results: We found 1048 suspected cases, and 26.2% had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of those infected, 20.8% had comorbidity, and 55% reported contact with COVID-19 patients in health care settings. Moreover, 27.4% of infected workers were administrative personnel, 24.1% were nursing technicians, 18.3% were nurses, and 13.1% were physicians. We also found that 24.1% presented complications from COVID-19, and three workers died. In a multiple regression, the risk factors for complications due to COVID-19 were the presence of comorbidity (risk ratio: 2.94; 95% confidence interval: 1.95 to 4.42), 30 years or older (1.28; 0.6 to 2.75), 60 years or older (2.04; 0.88 to 4.74), male sex (1.1; 0.71 to 1.7) and care work area (1.02; 0.06 to 2.62). Conclusions: The findings in the present study show an association between the presence of comorbidities and an increased risk of presenting complications due to COVID-19 in healthcare workers, regardless of age, sex and area of work.

Introducción: La infección por SARS-CoV-2 en profesionales sanitarios representa una amenaza para el sistema de salud. Objetivos: Identificar factores asociados a complicaciones por COVID-19 en trabajadores sanitarios, infectados por SARS-CoV-2 y que pertenecen a un hospital nacional especializado de tercer nivel de Perú en el año 2020. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo. Participaron trabajadores sanitarios infectados por SARS-CoV-2, que trabajaron en el Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal entre abril y diciembre de 2020. Se recogieron características clínicas y epidemiológicas, más resultados de la prueba de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcriptasa inversa (PCR-TR) a partir de historias clínicas y fichas clínico epidemiológicas. Se utilizó regresión simple y múltiple para estimar los riesgos relativos de complicaciones por COVID-19. Resultados: Se identificaron 1048 casos sospechosos, de ellos 26,2% tuvo infección confirmada de SARS-CoV-2. Del personal sanitario infectado, el 20,8% tuvo alguna comorbilidad, 55% manifestó atención a pacientes COVID-19, 27,4% fue personal administrativo, 24,1% técnico en enfermería, 18,3% licenciada de enfermería y 13,1% personal médico. El 24,1% presentó complicaciones por COVID-19 y tres trabajadores sanitarios fallecieron. En regresión múltiple, se obtuvo riesgos relativos para complicaciones por COVID-19 según presencia de comorbilidad (riesgo relativo: 2,94; intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,95 a 4,42), edad de 30 años a más ( 1,28; 95%: 0,6 a 2,75), 60 años a más ( 2,04; 95%: 0,88 a 4,74), sexo masculino ( 1,1; 95%: 0,71 a 1,7) y área laboral asistencial ( 1,02; 95%: 0,06 a 2,62). Conclusiones: Los hallazgos sugieren que en trabajadores sanitarios infectados por SARS-CoV-2, la presencia de comorbilidades está asociada a complicaciones por COVID-19, independientemente de la edad, el sexo y del área laboral.

Immune disruptions and night shift work in hospital healthcare professionals: The intricate effects of social jet-lag and sleep debt.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the effects of circadian and sleep rhythm disruptions on immune biomarkers among hospital healthcare professionals working night shifts and rotating day shifts. Methods: Hospital nurses working either as permanent night shifters (n=95) or as day shifters rotating between morning and afternoon shifts (n=96) kept a daily diary on their sleep and work schedules over a full working week. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the last shift during the week, and participants were categorized into three groups based on work shift: morning shift (39 day shifters sampled at 7:00 and 14:00), afternoon shift (57 day shifters sampled at 14:00 and 21:00), and night shift (95 night shifters sampled at 21:00 and 7:00). Circulating blood counts in immune cells, interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein concentrations as well as total sleep time per 24 hours during work days (TST24w) and free days (TST24f), sleep debt (TST24f - TST24w) and social jet-lag (a behavioral proxy of circadian misalignment) were assessed. Results: Compared with day shifters, night shifters had shorter sleep duration (TST24w=5.4 ± 1.4h), greater sleep debt (3.2 ± 1.4 h) and social jet-lag (6.7 ± 2.4 h). Variations of immune biomarkers concentrations were consistent with the expected diurnal variations among day shifters (i.e., low level in the morning, increase during the day, peak value in the evening). By contrast, in night shifters, blood concentrations of total lymphocytes, T-helper cells, cytotoxic T-cells, memory B-cells and interleukin-6 were lower at 21:00, increased during the night, and reached higher values at 7:00. Multivariate analyses ruled out significant impact of TST24w, sleep debt, and social jet-lag on immune biomarkers concentrations among day shifters. In contrast, among night shifters, multivariate analyses indicated a combined effect of total sleep time (TST24w), sleep debt and social jet-lag for total lymphocytes and T-helper cells but only a social jet-lag effect for interleukin-6 and a single total sleep time effect for neutrophil and B-Cells. Conclusions: Altogether, our results point to intricate response patterns of immune rhythms to circadian misalignment and sleep debt in night shifters. Specifically, these altered pattern expressions of immune cells may increase vulnerability to infections and reduce vaccination efficiency in night workers.

Do hospital workers experience a higher risk of respiratory symptoms and loss of lung function?

BACKGROUND: Hospital work environment contains various biological and chemical exposures that can affect indoor air quality and have impact on respiratory health of the staff. The objective of this study was to investigate potential effects of occupational exposures on the risk of respiratory symptoms and lung function in hospital work, and to evaluate potential interaction between smoking and occupational exposures. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 228 staff members in a hospital and 228 employees of an office building as the reference group in Shiraz, Iran. All subjects completed a standardized ATS respiratory questionnaire and performed a spirometry test. RESULTS: In Poisson regression, the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) among the hospital staff were elevated for cough (aPR 1.90, 95% CI 1.15, 3.16), phlegm production (aPR 3.21, 95% CI 1.63, 6.32), productive cough (aPR 2.83, 95% CI 1.48, 5.43), wheezing (aPR 3.18, 95% CI 1.04, 9.66), shortness of breath (aPR 1.40, 95% CI 0.93, 2.12), and chest tightness (aPR 1.73, 95% CI 0.73, 4.12). Particularly laboratory personnel experienced increased risks of most symptoms. In linear regression adjusting for confounding, there were no significant differences in lung function between the hospital and office workers. There was an indication of synergism between hospital exposures and current smoking on FEV1/FVC% (interaction term ß = - 5.37, 95% CI - 10.27, - 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: We present significant relations between hospital work, especially in laboratories, and increased risks of respiratory symptoms. Smoking appears to enhance these effects considerably. Our findings suggest that policymakers should implement evidence-based measures to prevent these occupational exposures.

Underestimation of Radiation Doses by Compliance of Wearing Dosimeters among Fluoroscopically-Guided Interventional Medical Workers in Korea.

This study aimed to estimate the level of underestimation of National Dose Registry (NDR) doses based on the workers' dosimeter wearing compliance. In 2021, a nationwide survey of Korean medical radiation workers was conducted. A total of 989 medical workers who performed fluoroscopically-guided interventional procedures participated, and their NDR was compared with the adjusted doses by multiplying the correction factors based on the individual level of dosimeter compliance from the questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors for low dosimeter wearing. Based on the data from the NDR, the average annual effective radiation dose was 0.95 mSv, while the compliance-adjusted dose was 1.79 mSv, yielding an 89% increase. The risks for low compliance with wearing a badge were significantly higher among doctors, professionals other than radiologists or cardiologists, workers not frequently involved in performing fluoroscopically-guided interventional procedures, and workers who did not frequently wear protective devices. This study provided quantitative information demonstrating that the NDR data may have underestimated the actual occupational radiation exposure. The underestimation of NDR doses may lead to biased risk estimates in epidemiological studies for radiation workers, and considerable attention on dosimetry wearing compliance is required to interpret and utilize NDR data.

Metabolic and Obesity Phenotype Trajectories in Taiwanese Medical Personnel.

The distribution of metabolic and obesity phenotypes in Taiwanese medical personnel is unknown. In this study, trajectory analysis with repeated measurements was used to explore the development and associated risk factors of different metabolic and obesity phenotypes in hospital staff from a Taiwanese medical center. The results demonstrated that metabolically unhealthy workers presented with a higher body mass index (BMI) compared with their metabolically healthy counterparts. Male and aged > 40 years hospital workers were more likely to be in a deleterious metabolic/obesity state. Meanwhile, profession and working hours were not significantly associated with the development of certain phenotypes in our study. These results shed light on the necessity of adequate data retrieval regarding working hours, and a nuanced examination of working conditions among different professions. Our findings are helpful for the development of advanced guidance regarding health promotion in hospital workers.

Evaluation of the Relationship between Occupational Accidents and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Risk among Employees of a University Hospital.

Context: Occupational accidents are still one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality. Sleep apnea is a significant risk factor for occupational accidents in hospitals. Aims: To determine the frequency of occupational accidents and their relationship with the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS). Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study in a hospital setting. Methods and Material: This study was conducted on 331 hospital workers between 2019-2020. Accidents from the Social Security Institution records were used. The risk of OSAS was evaluated with Berlin Survey, daytime sleepiness with Epworth Sleepiness Scale, sleep quality with Pittsburg Sleep Quality Scale. Statistical Analysis: The Chi-square test was used for analysis; P < 0.05 was accepted as a statistical significance value. Results: Of the participants, 231 (69.8%) were female. Their ages ranged between 19 and 55; the mean age was 33.8 ± 8.0 years. The frequency of occupational accidents was 8.8%, 51.4% had a high risk of OSAS, 80.4% had high daytime sleepiness, and 53.5% had poor sleep quality. Conclusion: The study group had a high risk of sleep disorders. No relationship was found between sleep disorders and occupational accidents. More comprehensive studies are needed to clarify this relationship.

The relationship between cleaning product exposure and respiratory and skin symptoms among healthcare workers in a hospital setting: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and Aims: Several studies from multiple work settings have reported an increase in asthma and asthma-like respiratory symptoms in workers exposed to cleaning or disinfecting agents. Hospital workers perform many cleaning and disinfecting activities and may be vulnerable to respiratory and skin symptoms caused by these agents. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to quantify the risk of asthma and asthma-like symptoms in hospital workers exposed to cleaning/disinfecting agents. A secondary aim is to assess associated risks of skin symptoms in those studies. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CDSR, CENTRAL, CINAHL databases, and references of relevant review articles were searched. NHLBI quality assessment tools were used to assess the quality of the included studies. A total of 2550 articles were retrieved and 34 studies met criteria to be included. The software R version 4.0.5 was used to perform the meta-analysis. The random-effects model was used to pool the results due to within-studies heterogeneity. Results: Meta-analysis of 10 studies evaluating the association between occupational cleaning exposures and asthma demonstrated a 35% increased risk in exposed hospital workers (meta-RR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.09-1.68). The risk of asthma increased when workers were exposed to bleach compared with nonexposed workers (meta-RR = 1.51, 95% CI: 0.54-4.18), but was not statistically significant. Two studies investigated the relationship between respiratory and skin symptoms and produced mixed results. Conclusions: The results suggest a need for preventive practices to reduce the risk of asthma and asthma-like symptoms in hospital workers exposed to occupational cleaning/disinfecting agents. Trial registration number: CRD42020137804.

Long-Lasting Olfactory Dysfunction in Hospital Workers Due to COVID-19: Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Most Affected Odorants.

Hospital workers have increased exposure risk of healthcare-associated infections due to the frontline nature of their work. Olfactory dysfunction is highly prevalent. The objectives for this investigation are to study the prevalence of long-lasting olfactory dysfunction associated with COVID-19 infection in hospital workers during the first pandemic wave, to identify clinical characteristics and associated symptomatology, and to analyze how many patients with COVID-19 infection had developed olfactory dysfunction during infection and maintained a reduced olfactory function for approximately 10 weeks after diagnosis. Between June and July of 2020, a cross-sectional study was carried out at the Hospital Central de la Cruz Roja San José and Santa Adela in Madrid, Spain. One hundred sixty-four participants were included, of which 110 were patient-facing healthcare staff and 54 were non-patient-facing healthcare staff. Participants were split into three groups, according to COVID-19 diagnosis and presence of COVID-19 related olfactory symptomatology. Participants were asked to complete a structured online questionnaire along with Sniffin' Stick Olfactory Test measurements. In this study, 88 participants were confirmed for COVID-19 infection, 59 of those participants also reported olfactory symptomatology. The prevalence of COVID-19 infection was 11.35%, and the prevalence for olfactory dysfunction was 67.05%. Olfactory dysfunction associated with COVID-19 infection leads to long-lasting olfactory loss. Objective assessment with Sniffin' Stick Olfactory Test points to odor identification as the most affected process. Lemon, liquorice, solvent, and rose are the odors that are worst recognized. Mint, banana, solvent, garlic, coffee, and pineapple, although they are identified, are perceived with less intensity. The findings of this study confirmed a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the hospital workers.