COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of Health Effects on Emergency Service Nursing Workers via a Qualitative Approach.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, longstanding issues involving nursing work, which has always involved significant risks of illness and infection, were intensified. It is necessary to acknowledge the risks and nurses' perceptions about the risks qualitatively during the period of the health crisis. The aim of this study was to examine the health repercussions perceived by nursing workers in emergency services during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This was a qualitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study. The settings of the study were emergency services with a national scope; the participants were nursing workers. Data were collected via face-to-face virtual calling interviews and analyzed via a content analysis technique, which was supported by IRAMUTEQ software. The formation of textual classes pointed in three thematic directions, from which three categories emerged: nursing workers' exposure, due to a lack of protective equipment, to the risk of being contaminated with, falling ill from, and transmitting the COVID-19 virus; changes in work environments, processes, and relations in response to the pandemic; and physical, mental, and psychosocial alterations perceived by emergency service nursing workers. The exposure to the virus, risk of contamination, and changes in the work environment and relations all resulted in health repercussions, which were perceived as physical, mental, and psychosocial alterations that were described as dietary disturbances, physical fatigue, burnout, increased smoking, anxiety, sleep alterations, fear, exhaustion, stress, social isolation, loneliness, distancing from relatives, and social stigma.

Poor Health Conditions among Brazilian Healthcare Workers: The Study Design and Baseline Characteristics of the HEROES Cohort.

This study was conducted to describe the health conditions (the psychosocial aspects, sleep quality, and musculoskeletal symptoms) among Brazilian healthcare workers in the context of the pandemic. Workers answered an online questionnaire, including the short version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ II), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The most unfavourable psychosocial factors were work pace (61%; 95% CI: 52-69%), emotional work demands (75%; 95% CI: 67-82%), predictability (47%; 95% CI: 39-56%), work-family conflict (55%; 95% CI: 46-64%), burnout (86%; 95% CI: 78-91%), and stress (81%; 95% CI: 73-87%). Most workers (74%; 95% CI: 66-81%) were classified as poor sleepers. Musculoskeletal symptoms were frequent in the neck (64%; 95% CI: 55-72%), shoulders (62%; 95% CI: 54-70%), upper back (58%; 95% CI: 50-67%), and lower back (61%; 95% CI: 52-69%). Depressive symptoms were also highly prevalent (mild: 22%; 95% CI: 15-30%, moderate: 16%; 95% CI: 11-23%, severe: 8%; 95% CI: 4-14%). Most healthcare workers experience unfavourable psychosocial factors, poor sleep quality, as well as musculoskeletal and depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the urgent need to acknowledge and address psychological and physical distress to improve the personal and professional well-being of this population.

Cultural adaptation and updating of the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: to translate and culturally adapt the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire to the Brazilian context and to develop and evaluate a sociodemographic and occupational characterization questionnaire to compose the adapted questionnaire. METHOD: five stages were conducted to adapt the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire, namely: translation, synthesis of the translations, evaluation by a committee of judges, back translation and pre-test. As for the complementary questionnaire, it was elaborated and evaluated by a committee of judges and a pre-test was carried out. RESULTS: the questionnaires were validated and the pre-test stage was conducted with health workers and students. CONCLUSION: the final version adapted to the Brazilian context was called Questionário de avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes de saúde no contexto da covid-19 and is available for use, together with the final version of the Sociodemographic and occupational questionnaire: Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers and students in the context of covid-19. These questionnaires may assist in mitigating the risks of infection, illness and death of health workers and students due to covid-19.

Cultural adaptation and updating of the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire* Adaptación cultural y actualización del cuestionario Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 Adaptação cultural e atualização do questionário Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19

Objective: to translate and culturally adapt the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire to the Brazilian context and to develop and evaluate a sociodemographic and occupational characterization questionnaire to compose the adapted questionnaire. Method: five stages were conducted to adapt the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire, namely: translation, synthesis of the translations, evaluation by a committee of judges, back translation and pre-test. As for the complementary questionnaire, it was elaborated and evaluated by a committee of judges and a pre-test was carried out. Results: the questionnaires were validated and the pre-test stage was conducted with health workers and students. Conclusion: the final version adapted to the Brazilian context was called Questionário de avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes de saúde no contexto da covid-19 and is available for use, together with the final version of the Sociodemographic and occupational questionnaire: Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers and students in the context of covid-19. These questionnaires may assist in mitigating the risks of infection, illness and death of health workers and students due to covid-19.

Occupational psychosocial stressors and mental distress among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the factors associated with mental distress among health workers who cared for patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods A cross-sectional analytical study of national scope, carried out between in the second quarter of 2020. A total of 437 health professionals, who filled out an electronic form about sociodemographic data, occupational aspects, psychosocial characteristics of work and mental distress. Multiple logistic regression was performed to analyze the covariables associated with mental distress. Results There was a predominance of workers on the nursing team (65.0%), female (71.0%), from Southeastern region of the country (68.6%) and with no morbidities (36.2%). The prevalence of mental distress was 61.6%. Job strain was reported by 24% of participants, and the perception of low support from coworkers was described by 52.9%. The final multiple regression model showed that mental distress was associated with females (odds ratio - OR: 1.93;95%CI: 1.22-3.07), age up to 40 years (OR: 1.64;95%CI: 1.07-2.52), weekly working hours equal or over 60 hours (OR: 1.87;95%CI: 1.15-3.11), job strain (OR: 2.45;95%CI: 1.41-4.40) and low support from co-workers (OR: 3.47;95%CI: 2.26-5.38). Conclusion Six out of ten participants presented mental distress, which was associated to both individual characteristics and factors related to the work carried out during the pandemic. There is an urgent need to map services that have such characteristics, to outline actions to promote mental health and prevent emotional distress at different levels of health care.

Prevalence of COVID-19 testing among health workers providing care for suspected and confirmed cases.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of testing among health workers providing care for suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19. METHODS: This quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2020, using a convenience sample. An online questionnaire was used for collecting sociodemographic, occupational, and clinical data, which were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: In total, 437 health workers participated in the study, with a predominance of nursing workers (58.68%), women (70.3%), age between 30 and 49 years (54.2%), individuals living in the Southeast region of Brazil (60.54%), working in the public care system (69.11%), and focused on primary care (30.89%). Among the participants, 36% reported comorbidities, 21.1% had symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, and only 27% had undergone some type of COVID-19 testing. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the existence of risk comorbidities and symptoms suggestive of contamination, the frequency of testing was below one third among respondents. The lack of action compromises health surveillance and protection strategies for workers providing care for the population and may favor the contamination of new patients and the community.

Interprofessional collaboration in urgency and emergency network teams in the Covid-19 pandemic

Resumo Objetivo Analisar comparativamente a colaboração interprofissional nas equipes de urgência e emergência antes e após o primeiro óbito por Covid-19 no Brasil. Método Estudo transversal correlacional realizado com profissionais de saúde de serviços de Urgência e Emergência em uma cidade do estado de São Paulo. A coleta de dados foi conduzida com aplicação da Escala de Avaliação da Colaboração Interprofissional na Equipe para avaliar três fatores: Parceria, Cooperação e Coordenação. Para análise, a amostra foi dividida em Grupo A (antes do primeiro óbito por Covid-19 no Brasil) e Grupo B (após esta data) utilizando estatística descritiva e comparativa. Resultados Na comparação entre os grupos (A = 94 e B = 60), o fator Coordenação foi melhor pontuado após o início da pandemia (p = 0,001). Os serviços terciários apresentaram pontuações superiores quando comparados aos de nível secundário em ambos grupos. Conclusão e implicações para prática Em ambientes complexos e dinâmicos como setores de urgência e emergência, o trabalho em equipe e a colaboração interprofissional assumem destaque durante a pandemia. A colaboração interprofissional se fortaleceu nas equipes analisadas, com aumento significativo da coordenação das ações após o primeiro óbito por Covid-19 no Brasil. Resumen Objetivo Analizar en términos comparativos la colaboración interprofesional en equipos de urgencias y emergencias antes y después de la primera muerte por Covid-19 en Brasil. Método Estudio transversal realizado con profesionales de la salud de los servicios de Urgencias y Emergencias de una ciudad del estado de San Pablo. La recopilación de datos se realizó utilizando la Escala de Evaluación de Colaboración Interprofesional en el Equipo para evaluar tres factores: Asociación, Cooperación y Coordinación. Para el análisis, la muestra fue dividida en el Grupo A (antes de la primera muerte por Covid-19 en Brasil) y el Grupo B (después de esta fecha) mediante estadísticas descriptivas y comparativas. Resultados En la comparación entre grupos (A = 94 y B = 60), el factor de Coordinación se calificó mejor después del inicio de la pandemia (p = 0.001). Los servicios terciarios obtuvieron puntajes más altos en comparación con el nivel secundario en los dos grupos. Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica En contextos complejos y dinámicos como los sectores de urgencia y emergencia, el trabajo en equipo y la colaboración interprofesional fueron resaltados durante la pandemia. La colaboración interprofesional se fortaleció en los equipos analizados, con un aumento significativo en la coordinación de acciones después de la primera muerte por Covid-19 en Brasil. Objective To compare interprofessional collaboration in urgency and emergency's teams before and after the first death by Covid-19 in Brazil. Method Cross-sectional study carried out with health professionals from Urgency and Emergency Services in a city of São Paulo State. Data collection was conducted through Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale assessing three factors: Partnership, Cooperation and Coordination. For analysis, the sample was divided into Group A (before the first death by Covid-19 in Brazil) and Group B (after this date) using descriptive and comparative statistics. Results In the comparison between groups (A = 94 and B = 60) Coordination factor was better scored after the start of the pandemic (p = 0.001). Tertiary services had higher scores when compared to secondary level in both groups. Conclusion and implications for practice In complex and dynamic environments such as urgency and emergency sectors, teamwork and interprofessional collaboration are prominent during the pandemic. Interprofessional collaboration was strengthened in the analyzer's teams, with a significant increase in coordination of actions after first death by Covid-19 in Brazil.

Interprofessional collaboration in urgency and emergency network teams in the Covid-19 pandemic

Resumo Objetivo Analisar comparativamente a colaboração interprofissional nas equipes de urgência e emergência antes e após o primeiro óbito por Covid-19 no Brasil. Método Estudo transversal correlacional realizado com profissionais de saúde de serviços de Urgência e Emergência em uma cidade do estado de São Paulo. A coleta de dados foi conduzida com aplicação da Escala de Avaliação da Colaboração Interprofissional na Equipe para avaliar três fatores: Parceria, Cooperação e Coordenação. Para análise, a amostra foi dividida em Grupo A (antes do primeiro óbito por Covid-19 no Brasil) e Grupo B (após esta data) utilizando estatística descritiva e comparativa. Resultados Na comparação entre os grupos (A = 94 e B = 60), o fator Coordenação foi melhor pontuado após o início da pandemia (p = 0,001). Os serviços terciários apresentaram pontuações superiores quando comparados aos de nível secundário em ambos grupos. Conclusão e implicações para prática Em ambientes complexos e dinâmicos como setores de urgência e emergência, o trabalho em equipe e a colaboração interprofissional assumem destaque durante a pandemia. A colaboração interprofissional se fortaleceu nas equipes analisadas, com aumento significativo da coordenação das ações após o primeiro óbito por Covid-19 no Brasil. Resumen Objetivo Analizar en términos comparativos la colaboración interprofesional en equipos de urgencias y emergencias antes y después de la primera muerte por Covid-19 en Brasil. Método Estudio transversal realizado con profesionales de la salud de los servicios de Urgencias y Emergencias de una ciudad del estado de San Pablo. La recopilación de datos se realizó utilizando la Escala de Evaluación de Colaboración Interprofesional en el Equipo para evaluar tres factores: Asociación, Cooperación y Coordinación. Para el análisis, la muestra fue dividida en el Grupo A (antes de la primera muerte por Covid-19 en Brasil) y el Grupo B (después de esta fecha) mediante estadísticas descriptivas y comparativas. Resultados En la comparación entre grupos (A = 94 y B = 60), el factor de Coordinación se calificó mejor después del inicio de la pandemia (p = 0.001). Los servicios terciarios obtuvieron puntajes más altos en comparación con el nivel secundario en los dos grupos. Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica En contextos complejos y dinámicos como los sectores de urgencia y emergencia, el trabajo en equipo y la colaboración interprofesional fueron resaltados durante la pandemia. La colaboración interprofesional se fortaleció en los equipos analizados, con un aumento significativo en la coordinación de acciones después de la primera muerte por Covid-19 en Brasil. Objective To compare interprofessional collaboration in urgency and emergency's teams before and after the first death by Covid-19 in Brazil. Method Cross-sectional study carried out with health professionals from Urgency and Emergency Services in a city of São Paulo State. Data collection was conducted through Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale assessing three factors: Partnership, Cooperation and Coordination. For analysis, the sample was divided into Group A (before the first death by Covid-19 in Brazil) and Group B (after this date) using descriptive and comparative statistics. Results In the comparison between groups (A = 94 and B = 60) Coordination factor was better scored after the start of the pandemic (p = 0.001). Tertiary services had higher scores when compared to secondary level in both groups. Conclusion and implications for practice In complex and dynamic environments such as urgency and emergency sectors, teamwork and interprofessional collaboration are prominent during the pandemic. Interprofessional collaboration was strengthened in the analyzer's teams, with a significant increase in coordination of actions after first death by Covid-19 in Brazil.