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Healthcare professionals are in short supply worldwide, especially in China, which can result in increased stress in the work environment and allostatic load for Chinese hospital staff. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms and their relationship with total stress, allostatic overload, sleep quality, and episodic memory among Chinese hospital staff. In this cross-sectional study, self-assessments including Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), PsychoSocial Index (PSI), Pittsburgh Sleeping Quality Index (PSQI), and MemTrax test were used to evaluate participants' anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, total stress, allostatic load/overload, sleep quality, and episodic memory. A total of 9433 hospital staff from 304 cities participated. Anxiety prevalence was 21.0 % (95 % confidential interval (CI) 20.2 %, 21.8 %), while the prevalence of depressive symptoms was at 21.4 % (95 % CI 20.5 %, 22.2 %). 79.8 % (95 % CI 79.0 %, 80.6 %) of the hospital staff had allostatic overload. Poor sleep quality affected 50.4 % of participants, and 32.1 % experienced poor episodic memory. This study utilized a convenience sampling approach, relying on an online survey as its data collection method. Hospital staff in China are facing a stressful environment with a high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, significant allostatic overload, poor sleep quality, and compromised episodic memory. It is imperative that local management and community structures enhance their support and care for these essential workers, enabling them to manage and withstand the stresses of their professional roles effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the thinking styles of hospital staff and their motivation tools during the pandemic in Turkey. Top 100 hospitals in Turkey that have the highest number of examinations on the list, constitute the population and 1220 participants from all over Turkey took part in the study. The data set was analyzed with descriptive statistics, independent groups t -test, ANOVA and regression analysis. Most of the sample were women (66.4%), undergraduate (49%), working in a medical position (72%) and nurses (50.6%). T -test conclusion was showed that intrinsic motivation values are higher than extrinsic motivation values. There was no significant difference between administrative/medical position status and the mean score of any of the scales. As the results of regression analysis, it was determined that thinking style significantly predicted motivation. The results of the present study suggest that hospital staff used the experiential thinking style more than rational thinking and behaved with intrinsic motivation more than extrinsic motivation during COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A limited number of respirators may pose an ethical problem for medical nursing staff. • Medical staff were asked to rank respirator allocation to 3 COVID patients. • Respondents were divided between age and cognitive status as the deciding factor. • Determination of a set policy would help professionals with these decisions. The COVID 19 pandemic has led to an increase in the number of patients in need of ventilation. Limitations in the number of respirators may cause an ethical problem for the medical and nursing staff in deciding who should be connected to the available respirators. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among a convenience sample of 278 healthcare professionals at one medical center. They were asked to rank their preference in respirator allocation to three COVID-19 patients, one 80 years old with no cognitive illness, one 50 years old with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and one 80 years old with AD. Most respondents (75%) chose the 80-year-old AD patient as last preference, but were evenly divided on how to rank the other two patients. Medical staff have difficulty deciding whether age or cognitive status should be the deciding factor ventilator allocation. Determination of a set policy would help professionals with these decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted to assess perceived risk and fear of contagion, as well as mental health outcomes among 650 Italian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. A relevant proportion of the sample reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, and distress. Female sex, nursing profession, fear of being infected, as well as the time of exposure to the COVID-19 spread and the fact of directly attending infected patients were the main risk factors for developing mental health disturbances. Tailored interventions need to be implemented to reduce psychological burden in healthcare workers, with a particular attention to nurses. • Italian healthcare workers present a significant incidence of psychological symptoms. • Females and nurses show more psychological symptoms compared to other workers. • Risk perception and specific working variables explain the incidence of mental symptoms. • Observed mental burden is higher than in Chinese studies performed in the very first weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Les personnels hospitaliers, tous corps de métier confondus, sont très fréquemment confrontés à des situations de travail révélatrices de risques psychosociaux (qu'ils soient du stress accru, une agressivité au sein même des équipes avec des conflits exacerbés engendrant une communication réduite à son minimum, ou encore des comportements agressifs commis par les familles de patients). Ces situations contribuent à une dégradation de la qualité de vie au travail, et engendrent un risque de répercussion sur la prise en charge des patients. De ce constat émerge une nécessité de développer des approches préventives afin de pallier ces difficultés. Les différents personnels du pôle santé mentale de l'hôpital de Cannes se sont ainsi vus proposer un atelier de sensibilisation à la méditation sur une durée de trois mois. Définie comme une pratique permettant de « diriger son attention d'une manière particulière, c'est-à-dire : délibérément, au moment présent, de façon non jugeante aux choses telles qu'elles se présentent » (Segal, Williams et Teasdale, 2016) , la méditation promeut une conscience réflexive de son expérience immédiate, constituée de sensations, d'émotions de cognitions, favorisant davantage de flexibilité comportementale. La méthodologie de cet atelier y est ici décrite, ainsi que les premiers résultats. Hospital's staff, in all occupations, are frequently confronted with work's situations revealing psychosocial risks (increased stress, aggression within teams with heightened conflicts resulting in reduced communication, or aggressive behaviour by patient's families). These situations contribute to a deterioration in the quality of life at work, and create a risk of repercussions on patient care. From this observation emerges a need to develop preventive approaches in order to overcome these difficulties. The various staff of the mental health unit of the hospital of Cannes were offered a three-month meditation workshop. Defined as a practice that " directs one's attention in a particular way, that is, deliberately, at the moment, in a non-judgmental way to things as they present themselves " (Segal, Williams and Teasdale, 2016) , meditation promotes a reflexive consciousness of its immediate experience, consisting of sensations, emotions and cognitions, promoting more behavioral flexibility. So, once a week during forty-five minutes, they were invited to enter into intimacy with themselves, and to concentrate on different points of attention (breath, thoughts, sounds, body, etc.). Then, a time of discussion was devoted to the feeling concerning the experience. Beforehand, interested mental health's staff were offered various questionnaires: mindfulness predisposition, aggressiveness, impulsivity, scales of stressors and stress. These questionnaires were again proposed at the end of the twelve sessions to assess possible changes. For persons who have completed the twelve sessions, results showed a decrease in the stress level for the same level of stressors, as well as a decrease in aggressiveness for a participant. For another participant, there was an increase in the level of mindfulness predisposition, as well as a decrease in the level of aggressiveness and impulsivity. Finally, in another, it was observed a decrease in the levels of stressors and stress, impulsivity, as well as an increase in the mindfulness predisposition. These first, encouraging results underline the validity of this type of intervention in hospital services. Other studies will allow to assess its effects on a wider sample, and to have some measures concerning the persistence of its effects several months after the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staff working in units that were highly exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 were invited to participate in a 6-month study on the carriage and seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The results from visits on Day 1 and Day 15 show that 41 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and/or serology in 326 participants (overall infection rate 12.6%). The presence of comorbidities or symptoms at the time of sample collection was a risk factor for infection, but working as a physician/nurse was not a risk factor. Universal screening in high-risk units, irrespective of symptoms, allowed the identification of asymptomatic and potentially contagious infected workers, enabling them to self-isolate for 7 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural and electrical lighting have received attention in hospital environments due to their ability to increase hospital staffs' performance, improve shift workers' circadian rhythm and improve patients' recovery. Researchers have investigated health care staffs' satisfaction with their lit work environment in real-life settings; however, staff members' perception of a circadian lighting system (CLS) that operates automatically has yet to be researched. This paper presents the implementation of a CLS installed in a newly built hospital between June 2021–February 2022. Two surveys (n1 = 63, n2 = 48) and 10 interviews were conducted with staff. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was conducted to compare staff members' responses between the pre-existing lighting (PeL) and circadian lighting system (CLS) at Neuro Intensive Care Unit and Postanesthesia Care Unit. The results showed a statistically significant satisfaction with the CLS compared with the PeL (p = 0.0003), and the staff found the CLS easier to use (p = 0.0011) and to adjust (p = 0.0023). The staff working in rooms with multiple patients appreciated the ability to adjust the lighting to the individual patient. These results supplement the existing body of research by presenting a field-study that illuminates barriers and advantages to consider when implementing CLS in hospitals. We conclude that CLS can complement a complex work environment in hospitals, but it requires close collaboration with occupants and continuous adjustments to the lighting settings for a successful implementation, and long-term use of the lighting system. • Presents staff's perception of an automated 24hr lighting profile in a hospital. • Circadian lighting is reported as satisfactory for work. • Brightness levels should be considered. • Interview as a supplementary method revealed nuances of the staffs' satisfaction. • Collaboration with occupants is advised to tailor the lighting to the context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown that there are multiple benefits of animal assisted interventions for patients. However, the impact of interaction with these animals in staff is understudied, particularly in the acute care setting, and is thus a novel contribution to the literature on human-animal interaction. The purpose of this qualitative pilot study was to contribute to the body of knowledge surrounding the experiences and perceptions of hospital staff who have participated in a hospital-based animal assisted intervention program. Nine face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted (4 staff nurses, 3 support staff members, and 2 hospital volunteers). Five themes emerged from the respondent interviews: (1) descriptions of the therapy dogs; (2) contacts with the dogs at work; (3) connection with the dogs outside of work; (4) benefits; (5) drawbacks. Our findings reflect abundantly positive hospital staff experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term changes in burnout and its predictors in hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated in an international study. Two online surveys were distributed to hospital staff in seven countries (Germany, Andorra, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Romania, Iran) between May and October 2020 (T1) and between February and April 2021 (T2), using the following variables: Burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization), job function, age, gender, and contact with COVID-19 patients; individual resources (self-compassion, sense of coherence, social support) and work-related resources and demands (support at the workplace, risk perception, health and safety at the workplace, altruistic acceptance of risk). Data were analyzed using linear mixed models repeated measures, controlled for age. A total of 612 respondents were included (76% women). We found an increase in burnout from T1 to T2. Burnout was high among personnel with high contact with COVID-19 patients. Individual factors (self-compassion, sense of coherence) and work-related factors (support at the workplace, risk perception, health and safety at the workplace) showed associations with burnout. Low health and safety at the workplace at T1 was associated with an increase in emotional exhaustion at T2. Men showed an increase in depersonalization if they had much contact with COVID-19 patients. Burnout represents a potential problematic consequence of occupational contact with COVID-19 patients. Special attention should be paid to this group in organizational health management. Self-compassion, sense of coherence, support at the workplace, risk perception, and health and safety at the workplace may be important starting points for interventions. Registration. Müller, M. M. (2020, August 30). Cope-Corona: Identifying and strengthening personal resources of hospital staff to cope with the Corona pandemic. Open Science Foundation. • We surveyed hospital staff in an international, longitudinal study. • Burnout was high among hospital staff with high contact with COVID-19 patients. • Lower burnout was found for high self-compassion and sense of coherence. • Perceived support at the workplace and health and safety at the workplace were predictive of lower levels of burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Objectif Évaluer le syndrome d’épuisement professionnel chez les médecins en spécialisation au CHU de Dakar, au Sénégal. Matériels et méthodes Il s’agissait d’une étude prospective, descriptive et analytique, menée du 1 er janvier au 30 juin 2013 au CHU de Dakar. Un questionnaire a été remis à l’ensemble des médecins de neuf spécialités ou médicales chirurgicales. Il comportait deux parties : l’une renseignait sur les caractéristiques sociodémographiques et professionnelles, et l’autre évaluait le syndrome d’épuisement professionnel à l’aide du questionnaire Maslach Burnout Inventory . Les données étaient saisies et analysées à l’aide du logiciel SPSS version 17.0. Résultats Le taux d’acceptation était de 96 %. L’âge moyen des étudiants était de 31,3 ans avec 64 % d’hommes. Les étudiants étaient en majorité mariés (51,1 %) et 33,9 % avaient des enfants à charge. Plus de la moitié (54,8 %) déclaraient consacrer du temps à un loisir. Ils étaient inscrits en majorité à une spécialité médicale (60,3 %). Le nombre d’heures de travail par semaine était en moyenne de 38,1 heures. Les scores moyens d’épuisement émotionnel, de dépersonnalisation et d’accomplissement personnel étaient respectivement de 33,2 ± 12,2 (EE élevé) ; 11,3 ± 6,5 (DP modérée) et 46,2 ± 6,2 (AP bas). L’âge jeune (< 30 ans) et le célibat constituaient des facteurs de risque d’épuisement professionnel. Le syndrome d’épuisement émotionnel était plus fréquent chez les étudiants sans enfant à charge que chez les étudiants parents, et la pratique d’un loisir semblait protéger du syndrome d’épuisement professionnel. Les spécialités médicales exposaient, de façon statistiquement significative, au syndrome d’épuisement professionnel. Les étudiants inscrits en Gynécologie-Obstétrique avaient des scores d’épuisement émotionnel et de dépersonnalisation les plus bas. Conclusion Le burn-out syndrome est une réalité dans nos hôpitaux avec une propension pour les étudiants en spécialisation médicale. La socialisation (enfants, loisirs…) constitue un moyen de protection. Objective To assess the burn-out syndrome among doctors in training at Dakar teaching hospital in Senegal. Materials and methods This was a prospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted from January 1st to June 30, 2013 at Dakar teaching hospital. A questionnaire was distributed to all doctors of 9 medical or surgical specialties. It contained two parts: One part concerned sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, and the other assessed the burn-out using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software. Results The acceptance rate was 96%. The average age of students was 31.3 years with 64% of men. The students were mostly married (51.1%) and 33.9% had children. More than half (54.8%) reported spending time in a hobby. They were enrolled in a medical specialty in 60.3%. Students worked on average 38.1 hours per week. Means of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP) and personal accomplishment (PA) scores were respectively 33.2 ± 12.2 (high EE), 11.3 ± 6.5 (moderate DP) and 46.2 ± 6.2 (low PA). The young age (< 30 years) and celibacy were risk factors of burn-out. Emotional exhaustion was more common among students without dependent children than among parents. Students practicing a hobby seemed to be protected against burn-out. Medical specialties exhibit to burn-out syndrome. Students in Obstetrics and Gynecology had lowest scores of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Conclusion The burnout syndrome is a reality in our hospitals with a propensity for students in medical specialization. Socialization (child, hobby…) is a mean of protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile anaesthetics and disinfection chemicals pose ubiquitous inhalation and dermal exposure risks in hospital and clinic environments. This work demonstrates specific non-invasive breath biomonitoring methodology for assessing staff exposures to sevoflurane (SEV) anaesthetic, documenting its metabolite hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) and measuring exposures to isopropanol (IPA) dermal disinfection fluid. Methods are based on breath sample collection in Nalophan bags, followed by an aliquot transfer to adsorption tube, and subsequent analysis by thermal desorption gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD-GC–MS). Ambient levels of IPA were also monitored. These methods could be generalized to other common volatile chemicals found in medical environments. Calibration curves were linear ( r 2 = 0.999) in the investigated ranges: 0.01–1000 ppbv for SEV, 0.02–1700 ppbv for IPA, and 0.001–0.1 ppbv for HFIP. The instrumental detection limit was 10 pptv for IPA and 5 pptv for SEV, both estimated by extracted ion-TIC chromatograms, whereas the HFIP minimum detectable concentration was 0.5 pptv as estimated in SIM acquisition mode. The methods were applied to hospital staff working in operating rooms and clinics for blood draws. SEV and HFIP were present in all subjects at concentrations in the range of 0.7–18, and 0.002–0.024 ppbv for SEV and HFIP respectively. Correlation between IPA ambient air and breath concentration confirmed the inhalation pathway of exposure ( r = 0.95, p < 0.001) and breath-borne IPA was measured as high as 1500 ppbv. The methodology is easy to implement and valuable for screening exposures to common hospital chemicals. Although the overall exposures documented were generally below levels of health concern in this limited study, outliers were observed that indicate potential for acute exposures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hospital staff is at high risk of developing mental health issues during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, the literature lacks an overall and inclusive picture of mental health problems with comprehensive analysis among hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ascertain the prevalence of anxiety, depression and other mental health outcomes as reported in original articles among hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. A PRISMA 2020 and MOOSE 2000 compliant umbrella review of published meta-analyses of observational studies evaluating the prevalence of mental health problems in hospital staff during the pandemic. Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO from December 1st, 2019, until August 13th 2021. The random effects model was used for the meta-analysis, and the I2 index was employed to assess between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias using Egger test and LFK index was examined. Data was analyzed using STATA 17.0 software. AMSTAR-2 was applied for the quality assessment of systematic reviews, while we used GRADE to rate the quality of evidence. Forty-four meta-analyses from 1298 individual studies were included in the final analysis, encompassing the prevalence of 16 mental health symptoms. One-third of hospital workers reported anxiety (Prevalence: 29.9%, 95% CI:27.1% to 32.7%) and depression (Prevalence: 28.4%, 95% CI:25.5% to 31.3%) symptomatology, while about 40% (95% CI: 36.9% to 42.0%) suffered from sleeping disorders. Fear-related symptoms, reduced well-being, poor quality of life, and acute stress symptoms had the highest prevalence among hospital staff. However, the quality of evidence in these areas varied from low to very low. Nurses suffered more often from sleep problems and symptoms of anxiety and depression than doctors, whereas doctors reported a higher prevalence of acute stress and post-traumatic disorders. The burden of anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders was higher among female employees than their male counterparts. Remarkably, acute stress and insomnia affected more than half of first-line medical staff. The prevalence of mental health problems among hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic is generally high, with anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms representing the most robust evidence based on a large dataset of prevalence meta-analyses. However, there is no strong confidence in the body of evidence for each outcome assessed. Not registered. The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on the mental health of hospital staff. The need for support must be different for nurses and doctors @eldi12345. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the main causes of nosocomial infections. The hospital staff as carriers of Staphylococcus aureus have an important role in spreading it among patients. This study aimed to isolate and identify the sea and nuc genes that encode enterotoxin in Staphylococcus aureus isolates, isolated from the Nasal mucosa of staff in Sari Burn hospital by PCR method. A gene nasal mucosa of Sari Burn hospital staff. In this cross-sectional study, a nasal swab of 40 staff of Burn hospital of Sari was collected and isolated. The S. aureus was detected by biochemical tests such as Gram stain, catalase, and coagulase. Then nuc and sea genes were identified after the extraction of DNA, by PCR technique and gel electrophoresis with a specific primer. From the 40 strains obtained from nasal carriers, 20 S. aureus strains were isolated, and all of them included the nuc gene, while 6 samples included the sea gene. Given that every 20 samples had the nuc gene, therefore this gene is a strong marker for S. aureus. Also, the presence of sea genes in some samples suggested the presence of enterotoxin A in hospital staff as a healthy carrier. PCR techniques can be used to detect the genes encoding enterotoxins in S. aureus. Given that hospital staff can be carriers of Staphylococcus aureus and spread nosocomial infections, therefore identification of the carriers to prevent the spread of infection is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing frequency of natural hazards continues to stretch the operation of hospital services. Hospitals are expected to remain fully operational during and in the immediate aftermath of hazards to serve those who need healthcare. Despite the substantial research work on preparedness, hospitals still vulnerable and, in many cases, incapable of responding adequately due to issues such as damage to infrastructure and shortage of staff. Substantial research work was conducted on staff willingness to attend workplace; however, little work was able to ascertain the actual capability of staff to attend. This study aims to evaluate the capability of hospital staff to attend their workplace regardless of their backgrounds, jobs, and levels, making it a more accurate representation of the natural operation of hospitals. It contributes to the healthcare resilience body of knowledge, specifically related to hospital staff attendance during and post-disaster events. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey distributed to 1841 hospital staff members from different departments. Results show that the decision to attend the duty during or post-disaster event involves many complex personal and professional factors that can change, depending on the type of disaster, working environment preparedness and the personal responsibilities of the staff. Dependency, travel, training, and mental health in addition to age and work experience influence the capability to staff attend hospital post disasters. Findings established each of hospital's departments, services and professions play a key role in the provision of healthcare service no matter their backgrounds, role, and hierarchical levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim of the work: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) represent a significant occupational problem among hospital staff; however, data on musculoskeletal health of hospital staff are sparse. This study sought to determine the prevalence of MSD, their epidemiologic data and the associated risk factors. Methods: A previously self administered questionnaire sought information on demographics, prevalence and pattern of MSD, associated risk factors was employed as the survey instrument. A total of 520 questionnaires were distributed to hospital staff but only 433 questionnaires was valid. Eighty-seven of the returned questionnaires were excluded because of incomplete data. Results: The prevalence of MSD among hospital staff was 65.4%. Musculoskeletal disorders occurred mostly in low back (74.5%), neck (38.1%), and knees (31.1%). Factors associated to MSD were age (P <0.001), female gender (P <0.001), years of service (P <0.001) as well as prolonged standing or sitting (P =0.016 and 0.023, respectively). No significant association was found between repetitive movement, uncomfortable postures, heavy load handling, working on night shifts, stress and the presence of MSD. Conclusion: A high proportion of hospital staff reported MSD at some body site with the low back being injured most often. Education programs on prevention and coping strategies for musculoskeletal disorders are recommended for hospital staff in order to reduce the rate of occupational hazards and also promote efficiency in patient care. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The health risk associated with low levels of ionizing radiation is still a matter of debate. A number of factors, such as non-target effects, adaptive responses and low-dose hypersensitivity, affect the long-term outcome of low-dose exposures. Cytogenetic bio-dosimetry provides a measure of the absorbed dose, taking into account the individual radiation sensitivity. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the value of the micronucleus (MN) test as a bio-dosimeter in hospital workers exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation. Blood samples were obtained from 30 subjects selected among workers exposed to X- and gamma-radiation, and 30 controls matched for sex, age and smoking from the same hospital. Micronucleus frequencies were analyzed by use of the cytokinesis-block method. The MN frequency was compared among the groups considering the confounding factors and the length of employment. No increase in the number of bi-nucleated cells with MN (BNMN), but a significant increase in the number of mono-nucleated cells with micronuclei (MOMN) was observed in exposed subjects compared with the controls. The relationship between MN frequency and accumulated dose (mSv) was evaluated. The length of employment did not affect the extent of MN frequency, but an increase of BNMN and MOMN cells was observed based on the accumulated radiation dose. Our study shows the sensitivity of the MN test in the detection of cytogenetic effects of cumulative exposure levels, suggesting the potential usefulness of this assay in providing a biological index in medical surveillance programs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In general, there is a wide range of literature covering the area of thermal comfort, but not a focused literature review of thermal comfort in hospitals has published yet. However, there has been no study on the direct effect of thermal comfort on health. The authors have found a reasonable amount of literature in thermal comfort in hospitals. This paper presents a literature review on thermal comfort in hospitals. From the review, the paper concludes that it is important to undertake original studies in the relationship between thermal comfort conditions and productivity for hospital staff. The study finally concluded that it is important to find some solutions to reconcile the different thermal comfort conditions required by different occupants in hospitals. These solutions could be used whenever patients and the attending caregivers have to stay in one room for a long time compulsorily. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An understanding of how staff identify, classify, narrativise and orient to patient safety risks is important in understanding responses to efforts to effect change. We report an ethnographic study of four medical wards in the UK, in hospitals that were participating in the Health Foundation''s Safer Patients Initiative, an organisation-wide patient safety programme. Data analysis of observations and 49 interviews with staff was based on the constant comparative method. We found that staff engaged routinely in practices of determining what gets to count as a risk, how such risks should properly be managed, and how to account for what they do. Staff practices and reasoning in relation to risk emerged through their practical engagement in the everyday work of the wards, but were also shaped by social imperatives. Risks, in the environment we studied, were not simply risks to patient safety; when things went wrong, professional identity was at risk too. Staff oriented to risks in the context of busy and complex ward environments, which influenced how they accounted for risk. Reasoning about risk was influenced by judgements about which values should be promoted when caring for patients, by social norms, by risk-spreading logics, and by perceptions of the extent to which particular behaviours and actions were coupled to outcomes and were blameworthy. These ways of identifying, evaluating and addressing risks are likely to be highly influential in staff responses to efforts to effect change, and highlight the challenges in designing and implementing patient safety interventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background There is no doubt that people with dementia can greatly benefit from the COVID-19 vaccine, especially as they are at an increased risk of developing severe complications, including long hospitalizations and high mortality rates, as a result of being infected by the virus. However, they might need the encouragement of health professionals to become vaccinated. Professionals' preferences regarding vaccination for this group are, therefore, extremely important to increase the use of this preventive measure. Aims 1. To examine hospital staff members' preferences for COVID-19 vaccination to people with or without Alzheimer's disease (AD) while differentiating between a young and an old person with the disease. 2. To examine the factors associated with these preferences. Methods A cross-sectional survey using a structured and anonymous self-report questionnaire was conducted among a sample of 278 Israeli medical staff (nurses, physicians, and paraprofessionals) working at a general hospital. The data were collected in August 2021. Results Overall, the majority (68.4%) of participants chose the 80-year-old patient with a diagnosis of AD to be the last to receive the vaccine. The percentage of participants who preferred to give the vaccine first to the 55-year-old patient with AD was almost equal to the percentage of those who preferred giving the vaccine first to the 80-year-old patient who was cognitively intact. Religion and beliefs about susceptibility to contracting COVID-19 were significantly associated with participants' preferences. Conclusion Our results suggest that hospital staff members find it difficult to decide whether age or cognitive status should be the main factor in deciding which patient should receive the vaccine first. Therefore, there is a need to implement several policy and practical steps in hospitals to assist the medical staff in such decision-making processes. • The 80-year old person with AD was selected as the last to be provided the vaccine. • For others, participants chose either age or cognitive status as the deciding factor. • Religion was associated with participants' preferences. • Susceptibility to contracting COVID-19 was associated with participants' preferences. • Implementation of several policies would help hospital staff with such decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study evaluated the prevalence of anti-legionella antibodies in workers at hospitals with a long-term history of legionella contamination. The hospitals are located in Milan and Turin, northern Italy, and in Naples and Bari, southern Italy. Antibody prevalence and titres of healthcare workers, medical and dental students and blood donors were assessed. In total 28.5% of subjects were antibody positive, most frequently to L. pneumophila serogroups 7–14. Major differences were observed in seroprevalence and type of legionella antibody in persons from different geographic areas. Healthcare workers had a significantly higher frequency of antibodies compared with blood donors in Milan (35.4 vs 15.9%, P <0.001), whereas in Naples both groups exhibited high antibody frequency (48.8 vs 44.0%) and had a higher proportion of antibodies to legionella serogroups 1–6. Dental workers had a higher seroprevalence than office staff in Bari, but not in Turin, where daily disinfecting procedures had been adopted to avoid contamination of dental unit water. No association was found between the presence of antibodies and the presence of risk factors for legionellosis, nor with the occurrence of pneumonia and/or flu-like symptoms. In conclusion, the presence of legionella antibodies may be associated with occupational exposure in the hospital environment, but there was no evidence of any association with disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: All healthcare workers’ communication skills are recognised as valuable indicators of quality of care from the patient''s perspective. Most of the studies measure doctor–patient communication, giving scarce attention to other professionals. This study is aimed at developing and providing preliminary validation of a questionnaire to measure outpatients’ experience of communication with hospital personnel other than doctors. Methods: Small groups of outpatients and hospital staffs were involved in identifying the domains and generating the items. A quantitative validation phase involving 401 outpatients followed in order to verify the hypothesised dimensionality of selected items and to measure reliability. Results: A 13-item questionnaire emerged, comprising four components of outpatients’ experience in the healthcare communication domain: problem solving, respect, lack of hostility, and nonverbal immediacy. Psychometric tests were promising as regards factorial validity, evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis, and scales reliability. Factor scores were independent of patients’ gender, age, and education. Conclusion: The developed Health Care Communication Questionnaire (HCCQ) is a self-administered brief measure with good psychometric properties. Practice implications: The HCCQ gives information that could be taken as an indirect and subjective indicator of the quality of hospital services as provided by non-medical staff. This aspect may have a role in local quality improvement initiatives. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study explored the association between psychosocial work characteristics and incidence of depression as indicated in three complementary models (the Job Strain Model, the Team Climate Model, and the Procedural Justice Model). Participants were 4815 Finnish hospital personnel (4278 women and 537 men) free from diagnosed depression at entry into the study. A baseline survey in 1998 measured psychosocial work characteristics, health-related behaviours, psychological distress, and doctor-diagnosed depression. The factor analysis of pooled questionnaire items on psychosocial work characteristics supported a five-factor solution with the following distinct dimensions: team climate, relational justice, procedural justice, job control, and job demands. Items in these dimensions were used as scales and job strain was modelled as a combination of job demands and job control. A follow-up survey in 2000 identified 225 incident cases of depression. After adjustment for age, sex and income, poor team climate, low procedural justice, and low relational justice were associated with a higher risk of new depression, the odds ratios (ORs) 1.58 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-2.24), 1.45 (95% CI 1.03-2.04), and 1.39 (95% CI 1.00-1.96), respectively. After additional adjustment for lifestyle factors and exclusion of those with psychological distress at baseline, there was still an association between poor team climate and risk of depression (ORs 1.55 and 1.75, respectively). Job control, work demands, and job strain did not predict the 2-year incidence of depression, and the effects of all psychosocial work characteristics were attenuated when entered simultaneously in the model. In conclusion, work unit social factors seem to be predictive of subsequent doctor-diagnosed depression, but other aspects of psychosocial work environment may also be important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This was the first study on suicidal and self-harm ideation (SSI) in hospital staff during a public health crisis. • 744 (6.47%) hospital staff reported a suicidal and self-harm ideation. • The epidemic-related factors, the psychological status and need, and the perceived stress and support were associated with SSI in hospital staff. • The current SSI in the initial phase of a pandemic might lower than that in non-pandemic days. The COVID-19 pandemic put global medical systems under massive pressure for its uncertainty, severity, and persistence. For detecting the prevalence of suicidal and self-harm ideation (SSI) and its related risk factors among hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, this cross-sectional study collected the sociodemographic data, epidemic-related information, the psychological status and need, and perceived stress and support from 11507 staff in 46 hospitals by an online survey from February 14 to March 2, 2020. The prevalence of SSI was 6.47%. Hospital staff with SSI had high family members or relatives infected number and the self-rated probability of infection. Additionally, they had more perceived stress, psychological need, and psychological impact. On the contrary, hospital staff without SSI reported high self-rated health, willingness to work in a COVID-19 ward, confidence in defeating COVID-19, and perceived support. Furthermore, they reported better marital or family relationship, longer sleep hours, and shorter work hours. The infection of family members or relatives, poor marital status, poor self-rated health, the current need for psychological intervention, perceived high stress, perceived low support, depression, and anxiety were independent factors to SSI. A systematic psychological intervention strategy during a public health crisis was needed for the hospital staff's mental well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hospital staff are vulnerable and at high risk of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection. The aim of this study was to monitor the psychological distress in hospital staff and examine the relationship between the psychological distress and possible causes during the COVID-19 epidemic. An online survey was conducted from February 1 to February 14, 2020. Hospital staff from five national COVID-19 designated hospitals in Chongqing participated. Data collected included demographics and stress responses to COVID-19: 1) the impact of event scale to measure psychological stress reactions; 2) generalized anxiety disorder 7 to measure anxiety symptoms; 3) Patient Health Questionnaire 9 to measure depression symptoms; 4) Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale to measure obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS); and 5) Patient Health Questionnaire 15 to measure somatization symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors that were correlated with psychological distress. Hospital staff that participated in this study were identified as either doctors or nurses. A total of 456 respondents completed the questionnaires with a response rate of 91.2%. The mean age was 30.67 ± 7.48 years (range, 17 to 64 years). Of all respondents, 29.4% were men. Of the staff surveyed, 43.2% had stress reaction syndrome. The highest prevalence of psychological distress was OCS (37.5%), followed by somatization symptoms (33.3%), anxiety symptoms (31.6%), and depression symptoms (29.6%). Univariate analyses indicated that female subjects, middle aged subjects, subjects in the low income group, and subjects working in isolation wards were prone to experience psychological distress. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed "Reluctant to work or considered resignation" (odds ratio [OR], 5.192; 95%CI, 2.396–11.250; P <.001), "Afraid to go home because of fear of infecting family" (OR, 2.099; 95%CI, 1.299–3.391; P =.002) "Uncertainty about frequent modification of infection and control procedures" (OR, 1.583; 95%CI, 1.061–2.363; P =.025), and"Social support" (OR, 1.754; 95%CI, 1.041–2.956; P =.035) were correlated with psychological reactions. "Reluctant to work or considered resignation" and "Afraid to go home because of fear of infecting family" were associated with a higher risk of symptoms of Anxiety (OR, 3.622; 95% CI, 1.882–6.973; P <.001 ; OR, 1.803; 95% CI, 1.069–3.039; P =.027), OCS (OR, 5.241; 95% CI, 2.545–10.793; P <.001 ; OR, 1.999; 95% CI, 1.217–3.282; P =.006) and somatization (OR, 5.177; 95% CI, 2.595–10.329; P <.001 ; OR, 1.749; 95% CI, 1.051–2.91; P =.031). "Stigmatization and rejection in neighborhood because of hospital work", "Reluctant to work or considered resignation" and "Uncertainty about frequent modification of infection and control procedures" were associated with a higher risk of symptoms of Depression(OR, 2.297; 95% CI, 1.138–4.637; P =.020 ; OR, 3.134; 95% CI, 1.635–6.006; P =.001 ; OR, 1.645; 95% CI, 1.075–2.517; P =.022). Hospital staff showed different prevalence of psychological distress during the COVID-19 epidemic. Our study confirmed the severity of negative psychological distress on hospital staff and identified factors associated with negative psychological distress that can be used to provide valuable information for psychological interventions to improve the mental health of vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 epidemic. • Hospital staff showed psychological distress in the COVID-19 epidemic in Chongqing. • We confirmed the severity of negative psychological distress on hospital staff. • Factors associated with negative psychological distress were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how a disaster impact functions of healthcare facilities is important future disaster risk reduction. This study aims to synthesise the impact of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, one of the largest chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear, or explosive (CRBNE) events in world history, on the functional status of healthcare facilities. Two data sources, Medline and Nursing databases, were searched for peer-reviewed papers written in English or Japanese. CiNii and Ichi-shi Web were searched for papers in Japanese. Articles written in English or Japanese and published from March 2011 to April 2019 were included. For further information within the month of the disaster, newspaper articles from Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun were also searched, as well as an inquiry report published by the National Diet of Japan. After screening, 66 articles and a book were included. In the acute phase of the disaster, problems around logistics and human resources resulted in the most severe damage to healthcare facilities, despite the relatively limited structural damage. Hospital evacuation posed a large problem, and ill-planned evacuations resulted in increased mortality among evacuated patients. No literature described direct impacts of radiation exposure, or radiation screenings, to the functioning of healthcare facilities. In the chronic phase, issues around human resources including staff shortages and mental health deterioration among healthcare staff remained as major problems. In conclusion, after the Fukushima nuclear disaster and subsequent social disruption, there was prominent damage to the infrastructure and logistics of healthcare facilities, and staff shortages at local healthcare facilities continued long-term. • Fear of radiation exposure caused large-scale logistic problems for healthcare facilities. • Ill-organised evacuation led to increased mortality among patients. • Staff shortages were significant in both acute and chronic phases of the disaster. • Disruption of logistics led to severe resource shortages even outside of the mandatory evacuation zone. • Disaster mitigation plans for healthcare facilities are needed at a national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]