Working Despite Having Influenza-Like Illness: Results of An Anonymous Survey of Healthcare Providers Who Care for Transplant Recipients. (18th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mossad, Sherif B.; Deshpande, Abhishek; Schramm, Sarah; Liu, Xiaobo; Rothberg, Michael B.
• Is Part Of: Infection control and hospital epidemiology. Volume 38:Number 8(2017)
• Page Start: 966
• Page End: 969
• Publication Date: 2017-05-18
• Subjects: Nosocomial infections -- Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health facilities -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Hospital buildings -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Hospitals -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2017.91
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-823X

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVE: To compare the rates of and reasons for presenteeism associated with influenza-like illness (ILI) among healthcare professionals (HCPs) caring for hospitalized inpatient transplant recipients and internal medicine patients. DESIGN: We designed a 10-question anonymous survey in which ILI was defined as fever (>37.8°C) and cough and/or sore throat and ILI B was defined as fever (>37.8°C) or cough or sore throat; both definitions were considered in the absence of another known cause. SETTING: Tertiary-care center. PARTICIPANTS: Physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs) and nurses. INTERVENTION: Survey deployed at peak of influenza activity in 2016. MEASUREMENTS: Rates of ILI, presenteeism, wearing masks, and time away due to ILI. RESULTS: Of 707 HCPs surveyed, 286 (40%) responded; 15 (5.2%) reported having ILI, and 73 (25.5%) reported having ILI B in the preceding 2 weeks. Presenteeism rates were 92% in both groups of HCPs and were higher among women (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.64; 95% CI, 1.23–5.71; P =.01) and those ≤40 years old (AOR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.03–3.68; P =.04). Healthcare professionals who cared for transplant recipients and female HCPs were more likely to wear masks (AOR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.05–3.40; P =.04 for transplant recipients and AOR, 3.96; 95% CI, 1.35–11.63; P =.01 for female HCPs). Nurses were more likely than physicians and APPs to take time off (AOR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.10–10.09; P =.03.) CONCLUSIONS: Presenteeism among HCPs with ILI is common, including among those caring for transplant recipients. Nonpunitive systems should encourage HCPs not to work with ILI and to wear masks to prevent spread of infections. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:966–969