ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Crises are often unavoidable events that occur around the world. Hospitals play an important role in treating patients and preventing extensive injuries in times of crisis, requiring adequate preparedness. In order to design a proper planning system, it is essential to be aware of the challenges of hospitals during a crisis. The purpose of this study was to explain the challenges of hospitals admitting COVID-19 patients in the city of Mashhad, Iran, from the perspective of their managers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study employed a qualitative approach, using the method of conventional content analysis and was conducted from May to July 2020. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit the senior managers of hospitals admitting COVID-19 patients in Mashhad. The interviews were conducted face to face, with open-ended questions following an interview guide based on semi-structured questions, and continued until data saturation was reached. Data were analyzed using Atlas Ti software. RESULTS: After the implementation of the interviews, first 665 initial codes were extracted from the data, and after removing the overlapping sequences, a total of 115 codes were obtained. Three categories (organizational challenges, extra organizational challenges, and challenges related to information domain), 13 sub-categories, and 33 codes were extracted from the content analysis of the interviews. The main themes propounded in the field of challenges of COVID-19 referral hospitals in Mashhad were organizational challenges, extra organizational challenges, and information domain challenges. DISCUSSION: The results of this study showed that the hospitals admitting COVID-19 patients in Mashhad faced many challenges. To improve the quality of services in postcrisis phase, replacing hospitals' equipment, revising curriculums at medical universities, staff retraining, recruiting skilled human resources, and creating a supportive community context are necessary. CONCLUSION: For sure, the COVID-19 crisis will not be the last one, we have to be prepared for the bigger health crisis.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Human resources management plays an important role in social development and economic growth. Absence from work due to health problems can make obstacles to the growth of economy. This study conducted aimed to estimate the absenteeism costs of COVID-19 among the personnel of hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Mashhad, Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between February 19, 2020, and September 21, 2020. The absenteeism costs were calculated using the human capital approach. Finally, we applied the linear regression to assess the impact of variables on the lost productivity of absenteeism due to COVID-19 among the personnel of hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that 1958 personnel had COVID-19. The total of absenteeism days in our study were 32,209 days, with an average of 16.44 absenteeism days. Total costs due to absenteeism were estimated to be nearly $1.3 million, with an average of $671.4 per patient. The results of regression model showed that gender (male), age (> 50 years), employment Type (non-permanent) and monthly income had a positive relationship with the absenteeism cost. Also, there are a negative significant relationship between absenteeism cost with job (physicians) and work experience. CONCLUSIONS: Absenteeism costs of COVID-19 in the hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences represent a significant economic burden. The findings of our study emphasize the emergency strategies to prevent and control COVID-19 among the healthcare workers. It can decrease the economic impacts of COVID-19 and improve human resources management during the COVID-19 pandemic.