Work Environment of Healthcare Workers with (COVID)-19 in a Hospital in Turkey

Abstract

Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are among the occupational groups most affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study aims to conduct a retrospective investigation of the outpatient occupational disease clinic records of COVID-19 survivor HCWs and the distribution of the study participants within a specific hospital to identify the work units at risk and recommend control measures. Methods: This study investigated HCWs aged 18-65 years who had returned to their work in the hospital upon recovery from COVID-19. Results: A total of 360 HCWs (11.7%) had tested positive for COVID-19. Nurses constituted the highest percentage of COVID-19-positive HCWs (224, 62.2%), while those working in outpatient clinics were at the highest risk, accounting for 110 cases (30.6%). A statistically significant number of HCWs working in the intensive care unit (ICU) had COVID-19-positive co-workers. Furthermore, there was a correlation between the monthly number of all COVID-19-positive cases in Turkey and the number of COVID-19-positive HCWs in Turkey. Conclusions: The results suggest that HCWs did not sufficiently comply with preventive measures in low-risk work units, including outpatient clinics. Furthermore, the number of COVID-19-positive HCWs correlates with the number of COVID-19-positive co-workers and individuals in the general population.