Delta, Associate Professor, College of Health Sciences, Nursing Department; Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Chief Nursing Officer, Executive Management, Advisory Board Member at Fatima College, Umm Al Quwain, Umm Al Quwain, United Arab Emirates.
J Nurs Scholarsh. 2021 Mar;53(2):171-179. doi: 10.1111/jnu.12625. Epub 2021 Jan 21.
Nurses have an increased risk for acquiring COVID-19 infection. This study assessed levels of risk for exposure to COVID-19 among nurses, and determined those at the greatest risk.
A cross-sectional design was used to assess risk for exposure to COVID-19 in nurses from five randomly selected governmental hospitals in the United Arab Emirates. Participants completed an online survey (including the World Health Organization survey) to assess their risk for exposure to COVID-19. Descriptive statistics were used to describe classes of risk for exposure, and logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with greater risk.
Of the 552 participants, 284 nurses (51.4%) were classified at high risk for COVID-19 exposure as they did not report adherence to infection control and prevention (ICP) guidelines at all times during healthcare interactions and when performing aerosol procedures, or had accidental exposure to biological fluid and respiratory secretions. Compared with adherence to wearing medical masks, gloves, and hand hygiene practices, adherence to wearing face shields or goggles and disposable gowns and decontaminating high-touch surfaces was less frequent. Shifting to work in critical care units, not having adequate critical care experience, and reporting a need for training in ICP practices were factors that contributed to high-risk exposure (p values for Ex (Bs) = 2.60, 2.16, 1.75, ≤ 0.05, consecutively).
A considerable number of nurses were classified at high risk for COVID-19 exposure. Critical care work experience and adequate evidence-based training in ICP practices related to COVID-19 must be considered to mitigate the risk for exposure to COVID-19 in nurses.
This study provided a strong message regarding protecting nurses at high risk for exposure to COVID-19. Clinical leaders must stay vigilant to ensure nurses' adherence to ICP practices in the context of COVID-19, and to proactively address any related deficits.
护士感染 COVID-19 的风险增加。本研究评估了护士接触 COVID-19 的风险水平，并确定了风险最大的人群。
采用横断面设计，评估阿联酋五所随机选定的政府医院护士接触 COVID-19 的风险。参与者完成了一份在线调查（包括世界卫生组织的调查），以评估他们接触 COVID-19 的风险。使用描述性统计数据来描述接触风险的类别，并使用逻辑回归来确定与更高风险相关的因素。
在 552 名参与者中，284 名护士（51.4%）被归类为 COVID-19 接触的高风险人群，因为他们在医疗互动和进行气溶胶程序时没有报告始终遵守感染控制和预防（ICP）指南，或者意外接触生物液体和呼吸道分泌物。与佩戴医用口罩、手套和手部卫生习惯相比，佩戴面罩或护目镜和一次性长袍以及对高接触表面进行消毒的依从性较低。转移到重症监护病房工作、缺乏足够的重症监护经验以及报告需要接受 ICP 实践培训是导致高风险暴露的因素（Ex（Bs）值分别为 2.60、2.16、1.75、≤0.05）。
相当数量的护士被归类为 COVID-19 接触的高风险人群。必须考虑重症监护工作经验和与 COVID-19 相关的基于证据的 ICP 实践培训，以降低护士接触 COVID-19 的风险。
本研究就保护接触 COVID-19 风险较高的护士提供了有力信息。临床领导者必须保持警惕，确保护士在 COVID-19 背景下遵守 ICP 实践，并积极解决任何相关缺陷。
