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[COVID-19 with respect to occupational healthcare and public health services]
Sabine Wicker1, Pia Behrens2, René Gottschalk3
1Betriebsärztlicher Dienst, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland. Sabine.Wicker@kgu.de.
Insights
Healthcare workers face significant risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 transmission. Preventive measures like PPE and vaccination are crucial for reducing occupational disease risks and patient infections.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Healthcare personnel (HCP) are at risk of occupational SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- COVID-19 poses a risk of nosocomial transmission from HCP to patients.
- BK 3101 is the recognized occupational disease related to COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the frequency of suspected occupation-related SARS-CoV-2 claims.
- To examine confirmed COVID-19 occupational disease claims.
- To review reporting obligations under the German Infection Protection Act (IfSG).
Main Methods:
- A selective literature search was conducted.
- Data from accident insurance institutions on HCP SARS-CoV-2 infections were prioritized.
- Analysis focused on occupational disease registrations and notifications.
Main Results:
- The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presented challenges for occupational healthcare and public health services.
- Accident insurance institutions registered increased suspected cases of occupational disease (BK 3101) and workplace accidents.
- Public health services managed IfSG registrations and contact tracing.
Conclusions:
- Occupation-related SARS-CoV-2 infections in HCP are a significant concern.
- Accident insurance data confirm high numbers of infection cases.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 vaccinations effectively reduce infection risks for HCP and patients.
Background:
Healthcare personnel (HCP) have an occupation-related risk of an infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and can transmit COVID-19 to patients. The related occupational disease is the BK 3101.
Objective:
The frequency of suspected claims of occupation-related SARS-CoV‑2 infections and confirmed claims of COVID-19 occupational diseases, reporting obligations under the German Infection Protection Act (IfSG) and mandatory notification requirements of physicians.
Material And Methods:
Selective literature search with special respect to data of accident insurance institutions regarding occupation-related SARS-CoV‑2 infections among HCP.
Results:
The SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic also represents a challenge for occupational healthcare and the public health service. In recent months an increased number of suspected cases of an occupational disease (BK 3101) associated with COVID-19 were registered at the accident insurance institutions as well as notifications of accidents at work. The public health service handles registrations under the IfSG and coordinates the tracking of contact persons.
Conclusion:
Occupation-related SARS-CoV‑2 infections are a real reason for concern. The registration data of the accident insurance institutions confirm high case numbers. Preventive measures, such as wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 vaccinations significantly reduce the risk of infection among HCP as well as the risk of nosocomial transmission to patients.
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