Healthcare Worker Absenteeism Research Articles

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine to reduce healthcare worker absenteeism in COVID-19 pandemic, a randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic increases healthcare worker (HCW) absenteeism. The bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine may provide non-specific protection against respiratory infections through enhancement of trained immunity. We investigated the impact of BCG vaccination on HCW absenteeism during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsHCWs exposed to COVID-19 patients in nine Dutch hospitals were randomized to BCG vaccine or placebo in a 1:1 ratio, and followed for one year using a mobile phone application. The primary endpoint was the self-reported number of days of unplanned absenteeism for any reason. Secondary endpoints included documented COVID-19, acute respiratory symptoms or fever. This was an investigator-funded study, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03987919). ResultsIn March/April 2020, 1511 HCWs were enrolled. The median duration of follow-up was 357 person-days (interquartile range [IQR], 351 to 361). Unplanned absenteeism for any reason was observed in 2.8% of planned working days in the BCG group and 2.7% in the placebo group (adjusted relative risk 0.94; 95% credible interval, 0.78–1.15). Cumulative incidences of documented COVID-19 were 14.2% in the BCG and 15.2% in the placebo group (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72–1.24). First episodes of self-reported acute respiratory symptoms or fever occurred in 490 (66.2%) and 443 (60.2%) participants, respectively (aHR: 1.13; 95% CI, 0.99–1.28). Thirty-one serious adverse events were reported (13 after BCG, 18 after placebo), none considered related to study medication. ConclusionsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, BCG-vaccination of HCW exposed to COVID-19 patients did not reduce unplanned absenteeism nor documented COVID-19.

Impact of COVID-19 vaccine-associated side effects on health care worker absenteeism and future booster vaccination

BackgroundShort-term side effects related to mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are frequent and bothersome, with the potential to disrupt work duties and impact future vaccine decision-making. ObjectiveTo identify factors more likely to lead to vaccine-associated work disruption, employee absenteeism, and future vaccine reluctance among healthcare workers (HCWs). HypothesisSide effects related to COVID vaccination: 1- frequently disrupt HCW duties, 2- result in a significant proportion of HCW absenteeism, 3- contribute to uncertainty about future booster vaccination, 4- vary based on certain demographic, socioeconomic, occupational, and vaccine-related factors. MethodsUsing an anonymous, voluntary electronic survey, we obtained responses from a large, heterogeneous sample of COVID-19-vaccinated HCWs in two healthcare systems in Southern California. Descriptive statistics and regression models were utilized to evaluate the research questions. ResultsAmong 2,103 vaccinated HCWs, 579 (27.5%) reported that vaccine-related symptoms disrupted their professional responsibilities, and 380 (18.1%) missed work as a result. Independent predictors for absenteeism included experiencing generalized and work-disruptive symptoms, and receiving the Moderna vaccine [OR = 1.77 (95% CI = 1.33 – 2.36), p < 0.001]. Physicians were less likely to miss work due to side effects (6.7% vs 21.2% for all other HCWs, p < 0.001). Independent predictors of reluctance toward future booster vaccination included lower education level, younger age, having received the Moderna vaccine, and missing work due to vaccine-related symptoms. ConclusionSymptoms related to mRNA vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 may frequently disrupt work duties, lead to absenteeism, and impact future vaccine decision-making. This may be more common in Moderna recipients and less likely among physicians. Accordingly, health employers should schedule future booster vaccination cycles to minimize loss of work productivity.

Projected geographic disparities in healthcare worker absenteeism from COVID-19 school closures and the economic feasibility of child care subsidies: a simulation study

BackgroundSchool closures have been enacted as a measure of mitigation during the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It has been shown that school closures could cause absenteeism among healthcare workers with dependent children, but there remains a need for spatially granular analyses of the relationship between school closures and healthcare worker absenteeism to inform local community preparedness.MethodsWe provide national- and county-level simulations of school closures and unmet child care needs across the USA. We develop individual simulations using county-level demographic and occupational data, and model school closure effectiveness with age-structured compartmental models. We perform multivariate quasi-Poisson ecological regressions to find associations between unmet child care needs and COVID-19 vulnerability factors.ResultsAt the national level, we estimate the projected rate of unmet child care needs for healthcare worker households to range from 7.4 to 8.7%, and the effectiveness of school closures as a 7.6% and 8.4% reduction in fewer hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) beds, respectively, at peak demand when varying across initial reproduction number estimates by state. At the county level, we find substantial variations of projected unmet child care needs and school closure effects, 9.5% (interquartile range (IQR) 8.2–10.9%) of healthcare worker households and 5.2% (IQR 4.1–6.5%) and 6.8% (IQR 4.8–8.8%) reduction in fewer hospital and ICU beds, respectively, at peak demand. We find significant positive associations between estimated levels of unmet child care needs and diabetes prevalence, county rurality, and race (p<0.05). We estimate costs of absenteeism and child care and observe from our models that an estimated 76.3 to 96.8% of counties would find it less expensive to provide child care to all healthcare workers with children than to bear the costs of healthcare worker absenteeism during school closures.ConclusionsSchool closures are projected to reduce peak ICU and hospital demand, but could disrupt healthcare systems through absenteeism, especially in counties that are already particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. Child care subsidies could help circumvent the ostensible trade-off between school closures and healthcare worker absenteeism.

Understanding pretreatment loss to follow-up of tuberculosis patients: an explanatory qualitative study in Chennai, India

IntroductionPretreatment loss to follow-up (PTLFU)—dropout of patients after diagnosis but before treatment registration—is a major gap in tuberculosis (TB) care in India and globally. Patient and healthcare worker (HCW) perspectives...

Measuring the impact of a mandatory province-wide vaccinate-or-mask policy on healthcare worker absenteeism in British Columbia, Canada

ObjectivesVaccinate-or-mask (VOM) policies aim to improve influenza vaccine coverage among healthcare workers (HCW) and reduce influenza-related illness among patients and staff. In 2012, British Columbia (BC) implemented a province-wide VOM influenza prevention policy. This study describes an evaluation of policy impacts on HCW absenteeism rates from before to after policy implementation. MethodsUsing payroll data from regional and provincial Health Authorities (HA), we assessed all-cause sick rates (sick time as a proportion of sick time and productive time) before (2007–2011, excluding 2009–2010) and after (2012–2017) policy implementation, and during influenza season (December 1–March 31) and non-influenza season (April 1–November 30). We used a two-part negative binomial hurdle model to calculate odds ratios (OR) of taking any sick time, relative rates (RR) of sick time taken, and predicted mean sick rates, adjusting for age group, sex, job type, job classification, HA, year and vaccine effectiveness. ResultsDuring influenza season, HCWs in the post-policy period were less likely to take any sick time (OR 0.989, 95%CI: 0.979–0.999) but had higher rates of sick time (RR 1.038, 95%CI: 1.030–1.045). However, during non-influenza season, HCWs in the post-policy period were more likely to take any sick time (OR 1.015, 95%CI: 1.008–1.022) but had lower rates of sick time (RR 0.971, 95%CI: 0.966–0.976). There was an overall increase in predicted mean sick rate from pre to post-policy in influenza season (4.392% to 4.508%) and non-influenza season (3.815% to 3.901%). ConclusionsThe observed year-round increase in sick rates from pre-to-post policy was likely influenced by other factors; however, opposite trends in how HCWs took sick time in the influenza and non-influenza seasons may reflect policy influences and need further research to explore reasons for these differences.

Measuring the impact of influenza vaccination on healthcare worker absenteeism in the context of a province-wide mandatory vaccinate-or-mask policy

ObjectivesIn 2012, British Columbia (BC) implemented a province-wide vaccinate-or-mask influenza prevention policy for healthcare workers (HCWs) with the aim of improving HCW coverage, and reducing illness in patients and staff. We assess post-policy impacts of HCW vaccination status on their absenteeism. MethodsWe matched individual HCW payroll data from December 1, 2012 to March 31, 2017 with annually self-reported vaccination status for BC health authority employees to assess sick rates (sick time as a proportion of sick time and productive time). We modelled adjusted odds ratios (OR) of taking any sick time, relative rates (RR) of sick time taken, and predicted mean sick rates by vaccination status in influenza (December 1–March 31) and non-influenza seasons (April 1 to November 30). We used two methods to assess changes in influenza season sick rates for HCWs who had a change in their vaccination status over the five years. ResultsHCWs who reported ‘early’ vaccination (before December 1 when the policy is in effect) were less likely to take sick time (OR 0.874, 95%CI: 0.866–0.881) and took less sick time (RR 0.907, 95%CI: 0.901–0.912) in influenza season compared to HCWs who did not report vaccination; whereas HCWs who reported ‘late’ (between December 1 and March 31, and subject to masking until vaccinated) had similar sick rates to HCWs who did not report vaccination. These trends were also observed in non-influenza season. Influenza season sick rates were similar for HCWs that had at least one year of ‘early’ vaccination and one year where vaccination was not reported over the five year period. ConclusionsOverall absenteeism is lower among HCWs who report vaccination versus those who do not report. However, absenteeism behaviours appear to be influenced by individual level factors other than vaccination status.

688. Impact of Expanded Influenza Post-exposure Prophylaxis on Healthcare Worker Absenteeism at a Tertiary Care Center During the 2017–2018 Season

BackgroundA severe 2017–2018 influenza season was expected for the United States. We hypothesized that a surge in influenza cases paired with decreased vaccine effectiveness could increase healthcare worker (HCW) absenteeism. Because of a potential public health emergency during the 2017–2018 season, we offered oseltamivir post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to exposed HCWs regardless of vaccination status. We describe PEP uptake, cost, and impact on absenteeism at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics (UIHC).MethodsUIHC serves as a referral and safety net health system for Eastern Iowa. Influenza seasons were defined as the period between Week 40 from 1 year to Week 13 of the following year. During the 2016–2017 season, PEP (75 mg/day for 7 days) was offered free of charge to unvaccinated exposed HCWs. Exposure was defined as proximity within 3 ft of a confirmed influenza-infected person for ≥10 minutes without mask protection, or direct contact with respiratory secretions. During the 2017–2018 season, PEP was expanded to all exposed HCWs regardless of vaccination status. We reviewed surveillance, employee health, pharmacy, and human resources records for the 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 seasons. We defined PEP uptake as prescriptions picked up/all referrals and absenteeism rate as sick-leave requests/scheduled hours.ResultsDuring the 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 seasons, we detected 373 and 427 confirmed influenza cases among patients at UIHC. HCW vaccination rates were similar: 89.7% and 90.9%. PEP was recommended in 49 exposures during 2016–2017 and 280 exposures during 2017–2018. A total of 22 (44.9%) and 133 (47.5%) HCWs picked up oseltamivir from the pharmacy during the 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 seasons. The estimated cost of oseltamivir was $1,791 and $10,828, respectively. Overall, 6,187 sick-leave requests (median = 12 hours, absenteeism rate = 3.2%), and 6,174 sick-leave requests (median = 12 hours, absenteeism rate = 3.4%) were reported during the 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 seasons.ConclusionInfluenza case counts mildly increased from the 2016–2017 to the 2017–2018 season. Expanding PEP to all exposed HCWs, regardless of vaccination status, had moderate uptake and was costly. Absenteeism rates remained similar during both seasons.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

"I don't want financial support but verbal support." How do caregivers manage children's access to and retention in HIV care in urban Zimbabwe?

IntroductionChildren living with HIV experience particular challenges in accessing HIV care. Children usually rely on adult caregivers for access to care, including timely diagnosis, initiation of treatment and sustained engagement with HIV services. The aim of this study was to inform the design of a community-based intervention to support caregivers of HIV-positive children to increase children's retention in care as part of a programme introducing decentralized HIV care in primary health facilities.MethodsUsing an existing conceptual framework, we conducted formative research to identify key local contextual factors affecting children's linkages to HIV care in Harare, Zimbabwe. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 primary caregivers of HIV-positive children aged 6–15 years enrolled at a hospital clinic for at least six months, followed by interviews with nine key informants from five community-based organizations providing adherence support or related services.ResultsWe identified a range of facilitators and barriers that caregivers experience. Distance to the hospital, cost of transportation, fear of disclosing HIV status to the child or others, unstable family structure and institutional factors such as drug stock-outs, healthcare worker absenteeism and unsympathetic school environments proved the most salient limiting factors. Facilitators included openness within the family, availability of practical assistance and psychosocial support from community members.ConclusionsThe proposed decentralization of HIV care will mitigate concerns about distance and transport costs but is likely to be insufficient to ensure children's sustained retention. Following this study, we developed a package of structured home visits by voluntary lay workers to proactively address other determinants such as disclosure within families, access to available services and support through caregivers’ social networks. A randomized controlled trial is underway to assess impact on children's retention in care over two years.

Pandemic influenza and pediatric intensive care*

To assess the adequacy of preparedness planning for an influenza pandemic by modeling the pediatric surge capacity of healthcare facility and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) requirements over time. Governments and Public Health authorities have planned preparedness activities and training for a flu pandemic. PICU facilities will be the limiting factor in healthcare provision for children but detailed analyses for needs and demands in PICU care have not been published. Based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization estimates and published models of the expected evolution of pandemic flu, we modeled the pediatric surge capacity of healthcare facility and PICU requirements over time. Various scenarios with different assumptions were explored. We compared these demands with estimates of maximal PICU capacity factoring in healthcare worker absenteeism as well as reported and more realistic estimates derived from semistructured telephone interviews with key stakeholders in ICUs in the study area. All hospitals and intensive care facilities in the Northern Region in The Netherlands with near 1.7 million inhabitants, of whom approximately 25% is <18 yrs. Using well-established modeling techniques, evidence-based medicine, and incorporating estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization, we show that PICU capacity may suffice during an influenza pandemic. Even during the peak of the pandemic, most children requiring PICU admission may be served, even those who have nonflu-related conditions, provided that robust indications and decision rules are maintained, both for admission, as well as continuation (or discontinuation) of life support. We recommend that a model, with assumptions that can be adapted with new information obtained during early stages of the pandemic that is evolving, be an integral part of a preparedness plan for a pandemic influenza with new human transmissible agent like influenza A virus.

Pandemic Influenza and Excess Intensive-Care Workload

In The Netherlands a major part of preparedness planning for an epidemic or pandemic consists of maintaining essential public services, e.g., by the police, fire departments, army personnel, and healthcare workers. We provide estimates for peak demand for healthcare workers, factoring in healthcare worker absenteeism and using estimates from published epidemiologic models on the expected evolution of pandemic influenza in relation to the impact on peak surge capacity of healthcare facilities and intensive care units (ICUs). Using various published scenarios, we estimate their effect in increasing the availability of healthcare workers for duty during a pandemic. We show that even during the peak of the pandemic, all patients requiring hospital and ICU admission can be served, including those who have non-influenza-related conditions. For this rigorous task differentiation, clear hierarchical management, unambiguous communication, and discipline are essential and we recommend informing and training non-ICU healthcare workers for duties in the ICU.