Epidemiology of and risk factors for coronavirus infection in health care workers: a living rapid review. | PSNet

Epidemiology of and risk factors for coronavirus infection in health care workers: a living rapid review. | PSNet

Epidemiology of and risk factors for coronavirus infection in health care workers: a living rapid review.

Chou R, Dana T, Buckley DI, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2020 

Viral outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic place healthcare workers at risk for both adverse physical health and psychological outcomes. This evidence review examined 64 studies assessing the impact of COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) on healthcare workers and risk factors for infection. Healthcare workers accounted for a significant proportion of infections but illness severity was lower among healthcare workers than non-healthcare workers (possibly due to younger age and fewer comorbidities).  Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection control training were associated with decreased infection risk.