Study of likelihood of infection with Covid-19 among hospital staff

Abstract

Background: The ongoing Covid 19 pandemic has seriously affected health services in many hospitals due to exposure of staff.

Objectives: To study the different sources and types of exposure of hospital staff to Covid-19.

Methodology: Survey of 170 Covid positive staff at a tertiary hospital was conducted by telephonic interview and their potential sources of infection were documented. Source of infection could be other staff in hospital, room mates, patients,patient relatives, family, PPE donning and doffing errors. Types of interaction could be in covid or non-covid areas of the hospital or during clinical encounters or social encounters within the hospital.

Results: The infections were acquired much more in the non- covid areas of the hospital than in the covid areas 65 % of infections were acquired within three days of exposure and 87 % of total infections were acquired within 6 days of exposure. 77 % of infections were acquired within the hospital premises in patient and social interaction cases. Nurses ( 46 % ) and Doctors ( 29 % ) constitute 75 % of the total heath care staff infections( Table 1)

Conclusion: Staff acquisition of Covid was found to be higher in non-covid than in covid areas. Social distancing, mask use, hand hygiene, attention to PPE, would help reduce new infection in the hospital.