Impact of COVID-19 on environmental services workers in healthcare settings: a scoping review

Abstract

BackgroundIn the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, demand for deep cleaning and environmental services workers grew exponentially. Although there is extant literature examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers, less emphasis has been paid to environmental services workers who play an equally important frontline role.AimTo examine the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on environmental services employees working in healthcare settings.MethodsScoping review methodology. A search strategy was developed, in consultation with a medical information specialist, employing various combinations of the keywords [(environmental services worker OR health attendant OR housekeeping) AND (COVID OR coronavirus OR pandemic OR epidemic)]. Five bibliographical databases were searched from database inception through 5 July 2022: OVID Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Cochrane Database.ResultsA total of 24 studies were included. The studies were generally cross-sectional in design. Seroprevalence studies highlight significantly higher rates of COVID-19 infections among environmental services workers (housekeeping, cleaning and janitorial staff) compared to other clinical and non-clinical staff in the same institution. In addition, based on qualitative interviews, environmental services employees also experienced greater psychological stress working during the pandemic.ConclusionsEnvironmental services workers appeared to be a particularly vulnerable group to increased work stress and also COVID-19 infections during the pandemic. Health systems need to do more to support these workers. Further research could investigate specific policy and procedural changes to benefit this underrecognized group in the greater healthcare workforce.