Dataset Information

Impact of COVID-19 on environmental services workers in healthcare settings: a scoping review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, demand for deep cleaning and environmental services workers grew exponentially. Although there is extant literature examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers, less emphasis has been placed on environmental services workers, who play an equally important front-line role.

Aim

To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on environmental services workers employed in healthcare settings.

Methods

Scoping review methodology. A search strategy was developed, in consultation with a medical information specialist, employing various combinations of the keywords [(environmental services worker OR health attendant OR housekeeping) AND (COVID OR coronavirus OR pandemic OR epidemic)]. Four bibliographical databases were searched from inception to 5^th July 2022: OVID Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Cochrane Database.

Results

In total, 24 studies were included in this review. The studies were generally cross-sectional in design. Seroprevalence studies highlighted significantly higher rates of COVID-19 among environmental services workers (housekeeping, cleaning and janitorial staff) compared with other clinical and non-clinical staff in the same institutions. In addition, based on qualitative interviews, environmental services workers experienced greater psychological stress working during the pandemic.

Conclusions

Environmental services workers were particularly vulnerable to increased work stress and COVID-19 during the pandemic. Health systems need to do more to support these workers. Further research could investigate specific policy and procedural changes to benefit this under-recognized group in the greater healthcare workforce.

SUBMITTER: Ng QX

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9474977 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Impact of COVID-19 on environmental services workers in healthcare settings: a scoping review.

Ng Q X QX Yau C E CE Yaow C Y L CYL Lim Y L YL Xin X X Thumboo J J Fong K Y KY

The Journal of hospital infection 20220915

<h4>Background</h4>In the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, demand for deep cleaning and environmental services workers grew exponentially. Although there is extant literature examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers, less emphasis has been placed on environmental services workers, who play an equally important front-line role.<h4>Aim</h4>To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on environmental services workers employed in healthcare sett ...[more]

PMID: 36116538

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundThroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as measures have been taken to both prevent the spread of COVID-19 and provide care to those who fall ill, healthcare workers have faced added risks to their health and wellbeing. These risks are disproportionately felt by women healthcare workers, yet health policies do not always take a gendered approach.ObjectivesThe objective of this review was to identify the gendered effects of crises on women healthcare workers' health and wellbeing, as well as to provide guidance for decision-makers on health systems policies and programs that could better support women healthcare workers.MethodsA scoping review of published academic literature was conducted. PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched using combinations of relevant medical subject headings and keywords. Data was extracted using a thematic coding framework. Seventy-six articles met the inclusion criteria.ResultsDuring disease outbreaks women healthcare workers were found to experience: a higher risk of exposure and infection; barriers to accessing personal protective equipment; increased workloads; decreased leadership and decision-making opportunities; increased caregiving responsibilities in the home when schools and childcare supports were restricted; and higher rates of mental ill-health, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. There was a lack of attention paid to gender and the health workforce during times of crisis prior to COVID-19, and there is a substantial gap in research around the experiences of women healthcare workers in low- and middle-income countries during times of crises.ConclusionCOVID-19 provides an opportunity to develop gender-responsive crisis preparedness plans within the health sector. Without consideration of gender, crises will continue to exacerbate existing gender disparities, resulting in disproportionate negative impacts on women healthcare workers. The findings point to several important recommendations to better support women healthcare workers, including: workplace mental health support, economic assistance to counteract widening pay gaps, strategies to support their personal caregiving duties, and interventions that support and advance women's careers and increase their representation in leadership roles.

Dataset Information

Impact of COVID-19 on environmental services workers in healthcare settings: a scoping review.

Background

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Impact of COVID-19 on environmental services workers in healthcare settings: a scoping review.

Similar Datasets

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