The UK national registry of ENT surgeons with coronavirus disease 2019
Related Experiment Videos
K Stephenson1,2, L J Sowerby2,3, C Hopkins4,5
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Birmingham Children's Hospital, UK.
Insights
UK Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeons faced high coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk. A registry showed significant infections, highlighting the need for better personal protective equipment (PPE) and service planning.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeons are at elevated risk of exposure to infectious diseases like coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- Understanding the occupational risks for ENT surgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial for patient and clinician safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a national registry of UK ENT surgeons with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
- To quantify the incidence and identify risk factors for COVID-19 infection among UK ENT surgeons.
Main Methods:
- A national registry was created with ENT UK support for voluntary reporting of COVID-19 cases among UK ENT surgeons.
- Data was collected via a web-based platform over a four-month period.
Main Results:
- 73 individuals were included in the registry over four months.
- COVID-19 was confirmed in 47.9% of respondents; 2.7% required hospitalization, and one surgeon died.
- Many surgeons suspected workplace exposure, with a notable percentage citing inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) before official guidance.
Conclusions:
- A significant number of UK ENT clinicians contracted COVID-19.
- Findings underscore the necessity for specific PPE guidelines and strategic service planning to mitigate occupational risks for ENT surgeons.
Background:
ENT surgeons are likely to be at high risk of coronavirus disease 2019 exposure.
Methods:
A national registry of UK ENT surgeons with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 was created with the support of ENT UK. Voluntary entry was made by either the affected individual or a colleague, using a web-based platform.
Results:
A four-month data collection period is reported, comprising 73 individuals. Coronavirus disease 2019 was test-confirmed in 35 respondents (47.9 per cent). There was a need for hospitalisation in two cases (2.7 per cent) and tragically one individual died. Symptom onset peaked in March. The majority suspected their exposure to have been in the workplace, with a significant proportion attributing their disease to a lack of personal protective equipment at a time before formal guidance had been introduced.
Conclusion:
The registry suggests that a significant number of ENT clinicians in the UK have contracted coronavirus disease 2019, and supports the need for tailored personal protective equipment guidance and service planning.