Discussions about hospitalizations should include those of healthcare personnel who have been hospitalized with COVID-19. This is something that has been a gap in our data but increasingly discussed.
We’re in the middle of a
Discussions surrounding hospitalizations though should also include those of healthcare personnel who have been hospitalized with COVID-19. This is something that has been a gap in our data but increasingly
The authors noted that “nursing-related occupations (36.3%) represented the largest proportion of HCP hospitalized with COVID-19. Median age of hospitalized HCP was 49 years, and 89.8% had at least one underlying medical condition, of which obesity was most commonly reported (72.5%). A substantial proportion of HCP with COVID-19 had indicators of severe disease: 27.5% were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), 15.8% required invasive mechanical ventilation, and 4.2% died during hospitalization.”
Looking at the breakdown by demographics, there was nearly an even distribution between the 18-49 and 50-64 age groups, and 60% of healthcare personnel were involved in direct patient care. In terms of race and ethnicity, the largest proportion of cases were in Black, non-Hispanic healthcare personnel (44%), followed by White, non-Hispanic (21%). Nearly 72% of cases were female and 90% had underlying health conditions. The most common COVID-19 symptom was shortness of breath, followed by a cough and fever/chills. Eighty-seven percent had infiltrates/consolidation on a chest X-ray. The significant cases in those Black, non-Hispanic healthcare personnel is deeply worrisome and emphasizes much of the health inequity that this pandemic is revealing.
While the researchers noted in their report, “findings from this analysis of data from a multisite surveillance network highlight the prevalence of severe COVID-19–associated illness among HCP and potential for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among HCP, which could decrease the workforce capacity of the health care system.”
It is important that we take this information and not only continue to do focused surveillance and review of healthcare personnel COVID-19 hospitalizations, but also collect more information on use of personal protective equipment, and infection prevention awareness. One piece we cannot ignore though, is the social inequalities that create more vulnerabilities within the US but also the healthcare personnel workforce. From an infection prevention standpoint, this is where our work intersects with public health and should include focused efforts. COVID-19 infections are not solely about PPE or distancing or even disinfection and hand hygiene, but rather the fabric of what increases or decreases risk.
