SARS-CoV-2 infections among members of the medical staffat the Department and Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology andHead and Neck Surgery of the Medical University of Warsaw

Abstract

<br/>Introduction: The authors present a study examining the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2)infections among doctors at the Department and Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of the MedicalUniversity of Warsaw between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021.<br/><br/>Aim: This study focuses on analyzing clinical presentation of coronavirus infections among otorhinolaryngologists asexemplified by the studied group of doctors. The authors verify the thesis that otorhinolaryngologists are at a high risk ofSARS-CoV-2 infection due to the nature of medical services they provide.<br/><br/>Materials and methods: This retrospective study was conducted in a group of infected doctors by providing them witha uniform and anonymous questionnaire pertaining to the clinical data significant for this study.<br/><br/>Results: Out of 30 otorhinolaryngologists employed at the Department and Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology and Head andNeck Surgery of the Medical University of Warsaw, 10 individuals, in whom coronavirus infection was confirmed by a positivePCR test result, were examined in this study. In all 10 cases, self-isolation was introduced. None of the infected individuals were hospitalized or required oxygen therapy. Out of 10 infected doctors, the source of infection remained unknown in 2 cases.In the remaining 8 cases, the causes of infection were directly related to the work performed, including: 3 doctors who contractedthe infection while consulting patients in the admission room, 4 doctors infected through physical contact with patientstreated on the ward who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 1 doctor who contracted the infection while working in a differenthealthcare institution. No case of infection was confirmed to be related to surgical procedures performed on the ward.<br/><br/>Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection among practicing otorhinolaryngologists is associated with both outpatient and inpatient care.Despite using personal protective equipment, the risk of infection remains high, amounting to over 30% in the examined group.<br/>