Universität zu Köln

Gross, J. Valerie, Mohren, Judith and Erren, Thomas C. (2021). COVID-19 and healthcare workers: a rapid systematic review into risks and preventive measures. BMJ Open, 11 (1). LONDON: BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP. ISSN 2044-6055

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Abstract

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic is demanding for occupational medicine and for public health. As healthcare workers (HCWs) fight impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on front lines, we must create safe work environments through comprehensive risk assessments, evaluation and effective implementation of counter-measures. We ask: 'What does current literature report on health risks at workplaces regarding COVID-19?' and 'What do current studies report on the effectiveness of enacted preventative recommendations?' Methods As a snapshot of early HCW research, on 26 April 2020, we conducted a rapid systematic literature search in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science and PsycInfo) for COVID-19-related health outcomes and preventive measures in healthcare-associated workplaces. Results 27 studies were identified as relevant for exploring the risk of infection, 11 studies evaluated preventive measures. The studies described that SARS-CoV-2 impacts significantly on HCW's health and well-being, not only through infections (n=6), but also from a mental health perspective (n=16). 4 studies reported indirect risks such as skin injuries, one study described headaches to result from the use of personal protective equipment. Few studies provided information on the effectiveness of prevention strategies. Overall, most studies on health risks as well as on the effectiveness of preventive measures were of a moderate-to-low quality; this was mainly due to limitations in study design, imprecise exposure and outcome assessments. Conclusions Due to widespread exposure of HCW to SARS-CoV-2, workplaces in healthcare must be as safe as possible. Information from HCW can provide valuable insights into how infections spread, into direct and indirect health effects and into how effectively counter-measures mitigate adverse health outcomes. However, available research disallows to judge which counter-measure(s) of a current 'mix' should be prioritised for HCW. To arrive at evidence-based cost-effective prevention strategies, more well-conceived studies on the effectiveness of counter-measures are needed.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Gross, J. Valerie UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Mohren, Judith UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Erren, Thomas C. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-563266
DOI:	10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042270
Journal or Publication Title:	BMJ Open
Volume:	11
Number:	1
Date:	2021
Publisher:	BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP
Place of Publication:	LONDON
ISSN:	2044-6055
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Medicine, General & Internal Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/56326