Impact of COVID-19 on environmental services workers in healthcare settings: a scoping review. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ng, Q.X.; Yau, C.E.; Yaow, C.Y.L.; Lim, Y.L.; Xin, X.; Thumboo, J.; Fong, K.Y.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 130(2022)
• Page Start: 95
• Page End: 103
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Environmental services workers -- Cleaners -- Healthcare -- COVID-19 -- Scoping review; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2022.09.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Background: In the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, demand for deep cleaning and environmental services workers grew exponentially. Although there is extant literature examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers, less emphasis has been placed on environmental services workers, who play an equally important front-line role. Aim: To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on environmental services workers employed in healthcare settings. Methods: Scoping review methodology. A search strategy was developed, in consultation with a medical information specialist, employing various combinations of the keywords [(environmental services worker OR health attendant OR housekeeping) AND (COVID OR coronavirus OR pandemic OR epidemic)]. Four bibliographical databases were searched from inception to 5 th July 2022: OVID Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Cochrane Database. Results: In total, 24 studies were included in this review. The studies were generally cross-sectional in design. Seroprevalence studies highlighted significantly higher rates of COVID-19 among environmental services workers (housekeeping, cleaning and janitorial staff) compared with other clinical and non-clinical staff in the same institutions. In addition, based on qualitative interviews, environmental services workers experienced greater psychological stress working during the pandemic. Conclusions: Environmental services workers were particularly vulnerable to increased work stress and COVID-19 during the pandemic. Health systems need to do more to support these workers. Further research could investigate specific policy and procedural changes to benefit this under-recognized group in the greater healthcare workforce.