Work at inpatient care units is associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection; a cross-sectional study of 8679 healthcare workers in Sweden.
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Lidström AK, Sund F, Albinsson B, Lindbäck J, Westman G
Ups J Med Sci 125 (4) 305-310 [2020-11-00; online 2020-07-20]
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the protection of healthcare workers has been in focus throughout the world, but the availability and quality of personal protective equipment has at times and in some settings been suboptimal. A total of 8679 healthcare workers and healthcare support staff in the county of Uppsala, north of Stockholm, were included in this cross-sectional study. All subjects were analysed for IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2, and predictors for positive serostatus were analysed in a logistic regression model including demographic parameters and self-reported employment characteristics. Overall, 577 (6.6%) were classified as seropositive, with no statistically significant differences between healthcare workers and support staff. Among healthcare workers, age (OR 0.987 per year, 95% CI 0.980-0.995), time to sampling (OR 1.019 per day, 95% CI 1.004-1.035), and employment at an outpatient care unit (OR 0.620, 95% CI 0.487-0.788) were statistically significantly associated with risk of infection. Covid-19 specific units were not at particular risk, compared to other units with comparable characteristics and staff demography. Our findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 transmission is related to inpatient healthcare work, and illustrate the need for a high standard of basic hygiene routines in all inpatient care settings.
PubMed 32684119
DOI 10.1080/03009734.2020.1793039
Crossref 10.1080/03009734.2020.1793039