SARS-CoV-2 Infections in “less visible” Hospital Staff: The Roles and Safety of Environmental Services and Allied Health Professionals

ABSTRACT:

Background

During the early SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, all healthcare workers had specific and essential functions. However, environmental services (e.g., cleaning staff) and allied health professionals (e.g., physiotherapists) are often less recognised inpatient care. The aim of our study was to evaluate SARS-CoV-2-infection rates and describe risk factors relevant to workplace transmission and occupational safety amongst healthcare workers in COVID-19 hospitals before the introduction of SARS-CoV-2-specific vaccines.

Methods

This cross-sectional study (from May 2020 to March 2021, standardised WHO early-investigation protocol) is evaluating workplace or health-related data, COVID-19-patient proximity, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and adherence to infection prevent

SUBMITTER: Jensen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10238113 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature