Perceptions of sources of transmission among hospital employees infected with severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in an urban tertiary care hospital: a qualitative study to inform future pandemic management.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Hospital employees are at risk of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection from patient, coworker, and community interactions. Understanding employees' perspectives on transmission risks may inform hospital pandemic management strategies.

Design

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 23 employees to assess factors contributing to perceived transmission risks during patient, coworker, and community interactions and to elicit recommendations. Using a deductive approach, transcripts were coded to identify recurring themes.

Setting

Tertiary hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

Participants

Employees with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test between March 2020 and January 2021, a period before widespread vaccine availability.

Results

SUBMITTER: Luo Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11920918 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature