Risk of hospitalization and death for healthcare workers with COVID-19 in nine European countries, January 2020–January 2021

Ferland, Lisa; Carvalho, Carlos; Dias, Joana Gomes; Lamb, Favelle; Adlhoch, Cornelia; Suetens, Carl; Beauté, Julien; Kinross, Pete; Plachouras, Diamantis; Hannila‐Handelberg, Tuula; Fabiani, Massimo; Riccardo, Flavia; Gageldonk-Lafeber, Rianne van; Teirlinck, Anne; Mossong, Joël; Vergison, Anne; Melillo, Jackie Maistre; Melillo, Tanya; Mook, Piers; Pebody, Richard; Rehse, Ana Paula Coutinho; Monnet, Dominique

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2021.10.015

Cited by 38 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(10 reference statements)

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“…Though the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 was low in our study, and despite all the training efforts, HW with regular patient contact or who worked in an ICU had an increased infection risk. This is consistent with results from other studies which observed increased infection risks in HW [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 31 ]. Therefore, studies on continuous improvement of infection prevention and control for HW are needed.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

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Cumulative Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers at a General Hospital in Germany during the Pandemic—A Longitudinal Analysis

Platten

Nienhaus

Peters

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Health workers (HW) are at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In order to monitor the infection dynamic on the basis of contact with patients, HW at the St. Antonius Hospital (SAH) were tested four times in one year by PCR and serology. The cumulative incidence of infection in HW was calculated. Swab and blood tests were simultaneously performed between April 2020 and April 2021. Risk factors and demographic information were assessed at the beginning of the study. The response rate was above 75% in all rounds of testing. The study comprised 1506 HW, 165 (10.6%) of which tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Working in an ICU or on wards with patient contact were risk factors (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.73–13.6 and OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.27–8.49). At the end of the study, the majority of HW (810 of 1363 (59.4%)) had been vaccinated at least once. A total of 29.1% of unvaccinated HW and 5.3% of vaccinated HW showed an immune response typical for natural SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of the 73 HW who provided information on the course of the disease, 31.5% reported that their quality of life continued to be impaired. The cumulative incidence of infection was low in these HW, which may be attributed to vaccination and good hygiene. Nevertheless, a work-related infection risk was identified, highlighting the need to improve protection against infection. A high risk of developing long COVID was found after the infection has subsided. Special rehabilitation programs should be provided and HW should be compensated for reduced work capacity in the case that rehabilitation fails or takes a long time.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Again, this observation was corroborated by a European study covering nine countries. This compiled data also showed an increased risk for hospitalisation and severe disease for HW [ 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cumulative Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers at a General Hospital in Germany during the Pandemic—A Longitudinal Analysis

Platten

Nienhaus

Peters

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…Using case-based surveillance data reported to the European Surveillance System (TESS) by nine European countries, a study by Ferland et al showed that the adjusted risk of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization or admission to ICU was respectively 1.8 and 1.9 times higher in HCWs than in non-HCWs (95% CIs 1.2-2.7 and 1.1-3.2, respectively), although the adjusted risk of death did not differ significantly [2]. A recent upturn of SARS-CoV-2 infection rate mainly attributed to the "delta" variant and more recently to the "omicron" variant, has led some countries' governments to mandate employees at high risk of COVID-19 to be vaccinated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Health-Care-Workers (HCWs) are at increased risk for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection worldwide through care and proximity to patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on top of the exposure risk through social interactions [1,2]. Additionally, HCWs have the potential to contribute to nosocomial transmission, although correct use of appropriate personal protective measures and consistency with good hand hygiene practices can minimize that risk.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vaccination Hesitancy among Health-Care-Workers in Academic Hospitals Is Associated with a 12-Fold Increase in the Risk of COVID-19 Infection: A Nine-Month Greek Cohort Study

Ntziora

Kostaki

Grigoropoulos

et al. 2021

Viruses

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Health-Care-Workers (HCWs) are considered at high risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We sought to compare rates and severity of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among vaccinated and unvaccinated HCWs conducting a retrospective cohort study in two tertiary Academic Hospitals, namely Laiko and Attikon, in Athens, Greece. Vaccinated by BNT162b2 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine and unvaccinated HCWs were included and data were collected between 1 January 2021 and 15 September 2021. Overall, 2921 of 3219 HCWs without a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were fully vaccinated during the study period (90.7% at each Hospital). Demographic characteristics were comparable between 102/2921 (3.5%) vaccinated and 88/298 (29.5%) unvaccinated HCWs with COVID-19, although age and occupation differed significantly. None were in need of hospital admission in the vaccinated Group, whereas in the unvaccinated Group 4/88 (4.5%) were hospitalized and one (1.1%) died. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that lack of vaccination was an independent risk factor for COVID-19 with an odds ratio 11.54 (95% CI: 10.75–12.40). Vaccination hesitancy among HCWs resulted to highly increased COVID-19 rates; almost one in three unvaccinated HCWs was SARS-CoV-2 infected during the 9-month period. The absolute need of vaccination of HCWs, including boosting dose, is highlighted. Evidence should be used appropriately to overcome any hesitancy.

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“…This study seeks to analyse HCWs' estimations of the personal likelihood of having acquired COVID-19 (infection risk), their fear of infection and their perceptions of protection and preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to medically approved risks and institutional conditions. We have chosen an “optimal-case” scenario of a high-income country with a very well-resourced hospital sector ( 3 , 45 – 47 ) and a low HCW infection rate at the regional (state of Lower Saxony) and the organizational level ( 48 , 49 ) compared to other European countries ( 16 ). It should be noted that an optimal-case scenario may provide a benchmark connected to a number of health system conditions, including funding and other resources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthcare Workers' Perceptions and Medically Approved COVID-19 Infection Risk: Understanding the Mental Health Dimension of the Pandemic. A German Hospital Case Study

Kuhlmann

Behrens

Cossmann

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionThis study analyses how healthcare workers (HCWs) perceived risks, protection and preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to medically approved risks and organizational measures. The aim is to explore “blind spots” of pandemic protection and make mental health needs of HCWs visible.MethodsWe have chosen an “optimal-case” scenario of a high-income country with a well-resourced hospital sector and low HCW infection rate at the organizational level to explore governance gaps in HCW protection. A German multi-method hospital study at Hannover Medical School served as empirical case; document analysis, expert information and survey data (n = 1,163) were collected as part of a clinical study into SARS-CoV-2 serology testing during the second wave of the pandemic (November 2020-February 2021). Selected survey items included perceptions of risks, protection and preventive measures. Descriptive statistical analysis and regression were undertaken for gender, profession and COVID-19 patient care.ResultsThe results reveal a low risk of 1% medically approved infections among participants, but a much higher mean personal risk estimate of 15%. The majority (68.4%) expressed “some” to “very strong” fear of acquiring infection at the workplace. Individual protective behavior and compliance with protective workplace measures were estimated as very high. Yet only about half of the respondents felt strongly protected by the employer; 12% even perceived “no” or “little” protection. Gender and contact with COVID-19 patients had no significant effect on the estimations of infection risks and protective workplace behavior, but nursing was correlated with higher levels of personal risk estimations and fear of infection.ConclusionsA strong mismatch between low medically approved risk and personal risk perceptions of HCWs brings stressors and threats into view, that may be preventable through better information, training/education and risk communication and through investment in mental health and inclusion in pandemic preparedness plans.

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Risk of hospitalization and death for healthcare workers with COVID-19 in nine European countries, January 2020–January 2021

Cited by 38 publications

References 8 publications

Cumulative Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers at a General Hospital in Germany during the Pandemic—A Longitudinal Analysis

Cumulative Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers at a General Hospital in Germany during the Pandemic—A Longitudinal Analysis

Vaccination Hesitancy among Health-Care-Workers in Academic Hospitals Is Associated with a 12-Fold Increase in the Risk of COVID-19 Infection: A Nine-Month Greek Cohort Study

Healthcare Workers' Perceptions and Medically Approved COVID-19 Infection Risk: Understanding the Mental Health Dimension of the Pandemic. A German Hospital Case Study

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