Assessment Risk of Nurses’ Exposure to COVID 19 At Quarantine Hospitals

Abstract

Introduction: Protection of HCWs from infection is critical for resilience of the health system facing a major pandemic like COVID-19. However, despite all efforts to protect HCWs, some exposure is inevitable. Such exposure can occur at the workplace or outside the work environment in the community. Aim: assess risk of nurses' exposure to covid19 at quarantine hospitals. Methods: A descriptive research design was conducted among all available nurses who are involved in providing care for patients infected with Corona virus in quarantine hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) in Alexandria. Tools: Tool I: personal and socio-demographic characteristics of nurses. Tool II: WHO COVID-19 virus exposure risk assessment form for Health Care Workers (HCWs). Results: there was a highly statistically significant correlation between the nurses' risk of exposure and their adherence to infection control measures during interaction with Covid-19 cases and aerosol generating procedures. Conclusion: The vast majority of nurses in quarantine hospitals had risk of exposure to infection and more than half of them had risk of accidents exposure which nurses are facing towards the battle against COVID19 infection. Recommendations: establishment of infection control system in quarantine hospitals: Empower nurses are in a better position to share and disseminate experiences to reduce the cross‐contamination associated with viruses such as COVID‐19. In relation to nursing education; Review of pedagogical frameworks in both in theoretical classes and in clinical teaching. Recognizing nurses' research as ongoing critical role encourages and informs further collaboration and serves as a catalyst to innovation for a healthier tomorrow.