Stefan P Kuster1, Jürg Böni2, Roger D Kouyos1, Michael Huber2, Stefan Schmutz2, Cyril Shah2, Heike A Bischoff-Ferrari3, Oliver Distler4, Edouard Battegay5, Pietro Giovanoli6, Matthias Guckenberger7, Malcolm Kohler8, Rouven Müller9, Heidi Petry10, Frank Ruschitzka11, Allison McGeer12, Brenda L Coleman12, Hugo Sax1, Rainer Weber1, Alexandra Trkola2. 1. Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 2. Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 3. Department of Geriatrics and Aging Research, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland. 4. Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 5. Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 6. Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 7. Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 8. Pulmonary Division, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 9. Hematology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 10. University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 11. University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 12. Department of Microbiology, Sinai Health System, and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess influenza symptoms, adherence to mask use recommendations, absenteesm and presenteeism in acute care healthcare workers (HCWs) during influenza epidemics. METHODS: The TransFLUas influenza transmission study in acute healthcare prospectively followed HCWs prospectively over 2 consecutive influenza seasons. Symptom diaries asking for respiratory symptoms and adherence with mask use recommendations were recorded on a daily basis, and study participants provided midturbinate nasal swabs for influenza testing. RESULTS: In total, 152 HCWs (65.8% nurses and 13.2% physicians) were included: 89.1% of study participants reported at least 1 influenza symptom during their study season and 77.8% suffered from respiratory symptoms. Also, 28.3% of HCW missed at least 1 working day during the study period: 82.6% of these days were missed because of symptoms of influenza illness. Of all participating HCWs, 67.9% worked with symptoms of influenza infection on 8.8% of study days. On 0.3% of study days, symptomatic HCWs were shedding influenza virus while at work. Among HCWs with respiratory symptoms, 74.1% adhered to the policy to wear a mask at work on 59.1% of days with respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory disease is frequent among HCWs and imposes a significant economic burden on hospitals due to the number of working days lost. Presenteesm with respiratory illness, including influenza, is also frequent and poses a risk for patients and staff. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02478905 (clinicaltrials.gov).
OBJECTIVE: To assess influenza symptoms, adherence to mask use recommendations, absenteesm and presenteeism in acute care healthcare workers (HCWs) during influenza epidemics. METHODS: The TransFLUas influenza transmission study in acute healthcare prospectively followed HCWs prospectively over 2 consecutive influenza seasons. Symptom diaries asking for respiratory symptoms and adherence with mask use recommendations were recorded on a daily basis, and study participants provided midturbinate nasal swabs for influenza testing. RESULTS: In total, 152 HCWs (65.8% nurses and 13.2% physicians) were included: 89.1% of study participants reported at least 1 influenza symptom during their study season and 77.8% suffered from respiratory symptoms. Also, 28.3% of HCW missed at least 1 working day during the study period: 82.6% of these days were missed because of symptoms of influenza illness. Of all participating HCWs, 67.9% worked with symptoms of influenzainfection on 8.8% of study days. On 0.3% of study days, symptomatic HCWs were shedding influenza virus while at work. Among HCWs with respiratory symptoms, 74.1% adhered to the policy to wear a mask at work on 59.1% of days with respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSIONS:Respiratory disease is frequent among HCWs and imposes a significant economic burden on hospitals due to the number of working days lost. Presenteesm with respiratory illness, including influenza, is also frequent and poses a risk for patients and staff. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02478905 (clinicaltrials.gov).
Authors: Sarah Daniels; Hua Wei; Yang Han; Heather Catt; David W Denning; Ian Hall; Martyn Regan; Arpana Verma; Carl A Whitfield; Martie van Tongeren Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-10-28 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Raphaël Tamò; Teja Turk; Jürg Böni; Alexandra Trkola; Stefan P Kuster; Roger D Kouyos; Stefan Schmutz; Michael Huber; Cyril Shah; Heike A Bischoff-Ferrari; Oliver Distler; Edouard Battegay; Pietro Giovanoli; Matthias Guckenberger; Malcolm Kohler; Rouven Müller; Heidi Petry; Frank Ruschitzka; Allison McGeer; Hugo Sax; Rainer Weber Journal: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Date: 2021-05-06 Impact factor: 3.254