Clinician Absences and Contributing Factors During a COVID-19 Surge: Potential Areas for Intervention and Planning.
Recommended Citation
Grahf D, Dandashi J, Deledda J, Vallee P, and Vohra T. Clinician Absences and Contributing Factors During a COVID-19 Surge: Potential Areas for Intervention and Planning. West J Emerg Med 2022; 23(2):124-128
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2022
Publication Title
West J Emerg Med
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Our goal was to quantify healthcare clinician (HCC) absenteeism in the emergency department (ED) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surge and to identify potential interventions that may mitigate the number of absences.
METHODS: This was a retrospective, descriptive record review that included 82 resident physicians, physician assistants, and staff physicians who were scheduled to work more than three clinical shifts during March 2020 in an urban, academic ED that received a high number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Exposure was defined as a healthcare clinician who was not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) having contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive patient in the ED. The main outcome was the number of HCC absences secondary to exposure to or symptoms concerning for COVID-19.
RESULTS: During March 2020, of 82 ED HCCs, 28 (34%) required an absence from clinical duties, totaling 152 absentee calendar days (N = 13 women [46%]; N = 15 men [54%]). Median HCC age was 32 years (interquartile range 28-39), and median number of days absent was four (interquartile range 3-7). While 16 (57%) of the total absences were secondary to a known exposure, 12 (43%) were symptomatic without a known exposure. A total of 25 (89%) absent HCCs received COVID-19 testing (N = 5 positive [20%]; N = 20 negative [80%]) with test results returning in 1-10 days. Eleven (39%) symptomatic HCCs had traveled domestically or internationally in the prior 30 days.
CONCLUSION: Emergency departments should anticipate substantial HCC absences during the initial surge of a pandemic. Possible interventions to mitigate absences include early and broad use of PPE, planning for many asymptomatic HCC absences secondary to exposures, prioritizing HCC virus testing, and mandating early travel restrictions.
Medical Subject Headings
Absenteeism; Adult; COVID-19; COVID-19 Testing; Female; Humans; Male; Personal Protective Equipment; Retrospective Studies
PubMed ID
35302442
Volume
23
Issue
2
First Page
124
Last Page
128
