BACKGROUND: This study aims to quantify the excess of sickness absenteeism among healthcare workers (HCWs), to estimate the impact of a severe versus moderate influenza season and to determine whether the vaccination rates are associated with reduced sickness absence. METHODS: We investigated the excess absenteeism that occurred in a large Italian hospital, 5300 HCWs, during the severe influenza season of 2017/2018 and compared it with three moderate flu seasons (2010/2013). Data on influenza vaccinations and absenteeism were obtained from the hospital's databases. The data were split into two periods: the epidemic, from 42 to 17 weeks, and non-epidemic, defined as 18 to 41 weeks, which was used as the baseline. We stratified the absenteeism among HCWs in multiple variables. RESULTS: Our study showed an increased absenteeism among HCWs during the epidemic period of severe season in comparison with non-epidemic periods, the absolute increase correlated with a relative increase of 70% (from 4.05 to 6.68 days/person). Vaccinated HCWs had less excess of absenteeism in comparison with non-vaccinated HCWs (1.74 vs 2.71 days/person). The comparison with the moderate seasons showed a stronger impact on HCW sick absenteeism in the severe season (+0.747days/person, P = .03), especially among nurses and HCWs in contact with patients (+1.53 P < .01; +1.19 P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a severe influenza epidemic has greater impacts on the absenteeism among HCWs than a moderate one. Although at a low rate, a positive effect of vaccination on absenteeism is present, it may support healthcare facilities to recommend vaccinations for their workers.
BACKGROUND: This study aims to quantify the excess of sickness absenteeism among healthcare workers (HCWs), to estimate the impact of a severe versus moderate influenza season and to determine whether the vaccination rates are associated with reduced sickness absence. METHODS: We investigated the excess absenteeism that occurred in a large Italian hospital, 5300 HCWs, during the severe influenza season of 2017/2018 and compared it with three moderate flu seasons (2010/2013). Data on influenza vaccinations and absenteeism were obtained from the hospital's databases. The data were split into two periods: the epidemic, from 42 to 17 weeks, and non-epidemic, defined as 18 to 41 weeks, which was used as the baseline. We stratified the absenteeism among HCWs in multiple variables. RESULTS: Our study showed an increased absenteeism among HCWs during the epidemic period of severe season in comparison with non-epidemic periods, the absolute increase correlated with a relative increase of 70% (from 4.05 to 6.68 days/person). Vaccinated HCWs had less excess of absenteeism in comparison with non-vaccinated HCWs (1.74 vs 2.71 days/person). The comparison with the moderate seasons showed a stronger impact on HCW sick absenteeism in the severe season (+0.747days/person, P = .03), especially among nurses and HCWs in contact with patients (+1.53 P < .01; +1.19 P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a severe influenza epidemic has greater impacts on the absenteeism among HCWs than a moderate one. Although at a low rate, a positive effect of vaccination on absenteeism is present, it may support healthcare facilities to recommend vaccinations for their workers.
Authors: Sandra A Johnson; David Wang; Noleen Bennett; Ann L Bull; Michael J Richards; Leon J Worth Journal: Aust N Z J Public Health Date: 2017-07-16 Impact factor: 2.939
Authors: Eliza L Y Wong; Samuel Y S Wong; Kenny Kung; Annie W L Cheung; Tiffany T Gao; Sian Griffiths Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2010-04-30 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Miguel Pereira; Siân Williams; Louise Restrick; Paul Cullinan; Nicholas S Hopkinson Journal: Clin Med (Lond) Date: 2017-12 Impact factor: 2.659
Authors: Maria Michela Gianino; Gianfranco Politano; Antonio Scarmozzino; Lorena Charrier; Marco Testa; Sebastian Giacomelli; Alfredo Benso; Carla Maria Zotti Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-08-09 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Carla L Black; Xin Yue; Sarah W Ball; Rebecca V Fink; Marie A de Perio; A Scott Laney; Walter W Williams; Samuel B Graitcer; Amy Parker Fiebelkorn; Peng-Jun Lu; Rebecca Devlin Journal: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Date: 2018-09-28 Impact factor: 17.586