Problems of safety, occupational hygiene and control over infections in fighting with occupational diseases of healthcare workers with COVID-19 in treatment facilities of Ukraine

Abstract

The objective of the publication was to assess the safety of treatment facilities, occupational health and infection control in Kiev, Zhytomyr and Zhytomyr region to enhance risk management of SARS-CoV-2 infection of healthcare workers and reduce occupational illness and mortality for COVID-19. Bibliosemantic, hygienic, questionnaire, statistical methods and methods of comparative and system analysis have been used. The work of doctors involved in overcoming COVID-19 pandemic is classified as dangerous (extreme). In addition to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the working conditions of medical workers are influenced by physical, chemical factors and high physical and neuro-emotional stress. Among medical workers of the Zhytomyr region who were diagnosed with an acute occupational disease COVID-19, nurses prevailed (38.57%). Junior nurses (26.1%) – the second COVID-19 incidence, paramedics (5.31%) occupy the third place. The doctors’ incidence was ranked in the following sequence: doctors of GPFM – 4.85%, surgeons – 4.16%, anesthesiologists – 2.54%, infectious disease doctors – 2.08%, radiologists – 1.85%. This distribution of medical professions is observed for all Ukraine regions. Chance of becoming infected with SARS CoV 2 for healthcare workers in October was by 3.8 times higher than the general population. Risk of dying from COVID-19 in healthcare workers is greater by 1.5 times than the general population. The high level of occupational morbidity of COVID-19 in Ukrainian medical personnel is determined by personal negligence, incomplete staffing of TF with medical workers, of medical workers with PPE; dis-use of PPE if available, absence or poor-quality instruction on labor protection; shortage of epidemiologists, hygienists and occupational pathologists.