Hospital survey: Half will not come to work

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    http://www.aemj.org/cgi/content/full/14/5_Supplement_1/S13-a

DISASTER MEDICINE

Acad Emerg Med Volume 14, 5 Supplement 1 13,

� 2007 Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Hospital Personnel Response during a Hypothetical Influenza Pandemic: Will they come to Work?

Charlene Irvin, Lauren Cindrich, William Patterson, Angela Ledbetter and Anthony Southall 

St. John Hospital and Medical Center 

A recent public health survey found half not likely to report to duty during an influenza pandemic. The CDC pandemic preparedness plans address ill workers, but there is no discussion of a potentially decreased workforce (from fears of contracting illness). Assessing the likelihood that hospital personnel would report to work, and issues that may affect this decision are important in the preparedness for any pandemic. 

Objectives 

To determine the willingness of hospital personnel to report to work in the hypothetical event of avian influenza pandemic (the avian influenza virus became person to person transmissible). 

Methods 

A voluntary, confidential, IRB approved survey was administered to 178 hospital personnel regarding their willingness to report to work, and what issues would be important in this decision, should an avian influenza pandemic occur. 

Results 

Of 178 surveys, 169 completed (95% response rate), with 34% doctors (Docs), 33% nurses, 33% clerical and other (OTHER) (average age = 38 years, Male 32%). When asked: In the event of an avian influenza pandemic, and patients were being treated at this hospital, would you report for work as usual: 50% yes, 42% maybe, and 8% no. Docs were more likely than Nurses or OTHER to respond Yes: Docs 73% (42/57), Nurses 44% (24/55), OTHER 33% (19/57); No: Docs 2% (1/57), Nurses 15% (8/55), OTHER 7% (4/57), p < 0.001. Males were more likely to respond Yes: 66% (34/51), Female 42% (45/108) p < 0.01. For the Maybe responders, the factor making the biggest difference (83%) was: How confident I am that the hospital can protect me. In 18% (30/169), financial incentives would not make a difference for them to report to work, even up to triple pay. 

Conclusions 

Personnel absenteeism during a pandemic due to fear of contracting an illness may result in significant personnel shortage and this issue should be addressed in pandemic disaster plans. Ensuring worker confidence in adequate personal protection may be more important than financial incentives. 

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WordSmith Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Experienced Member Joined: August 04 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote WordSmith Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Hospital survey: Half will not come to work Posted: May 02 2007 at 5:39pm
	http://www.aemj.org/cgi/content/full/14/5_Supplement_1/S13-a DISASTER MEDICINE Acad Emerg Med Volume 14, 5 Supplement 1 13, � 2007 Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Hospital Personnel Response during a Hypothetical Influenza Pandemic: Will they come to Work? Charlene Irvin, Lauren Cindrich, William Patterson, Angela Ledbetter and Anthony Southall St. John Hospital and Medical Center A recent public health survey found half not likely to report to duty during an influenza pandemic. The CDC pandemic preparedness plans address ill workers, but there is no discussion of a potentially decreased workforce (from fears of contracting illness). Assessing the likelihood that hospital personnel would report to work, and issues that may affect this decision are important in the preparedness for any pandemic. Objectives To determine the willingness of hospital personnel to report to work in the hypothetical event of avian influenza pandemic (the avian influenza virus became person to person transmissible). Methods A voluntary, confidential, IRB approved survey was administered to 178 hospital personnel regarding their willingness to report to work, and what issues would be important in this decision, should an avian influenza pandemic occur. Results Of 178 surveys, 169 completed (95% response rate), with 34% doctors (Docs), 33% nurses, 33% clerical and other (OTHER) (average age = 38 years, Male 32%). When asked: In the event of an avian influenza pandemic, and patients were being treated at this hospital, would you report for work as usual: 50% yes, 42% maybe, and 8% no. Docs were more likely than Nurses or OTHER to respond Yes: Docs 73% (42/57), Nurses 44% (24/55), OTHER 33% (19/57); No: Docs 2% (1/57), Nurses 15% (8/55), OTHER 7% (4/57), p < 0.001. Males were more likely to respond Yes: 66% (34/51), Female 42% (45/108) p < 0.01. For the Maybe responders, the factor making the biggest difference (83%) was: How confident I am that the hospital can protect me. In 18% (30/169), financial incentives would not make a difference for them to report to work, even up to triple pay. Conclusions Personnel absenteeism during a pandemic due to fear of contracting an illness may result in significant personnel shortage and this issue should be addressed in pandemic disaster plans. Ensuring worker confidence in adequate personal protection may be more important than financial incentives.

Falcon1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Valued Member Joined: May 02 2007 Status: Offline Points: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Falcon1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May 03 2007 at 3:06am
	I think they maybe lucky if half if not most of the workforce doesn't show, those in retail can't afford to take the time to not show up, but then again you never know, they may just say screw it and not show up. We don't know what we're going to do during a pandemic, and we won't know until it actually happens.

endman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List V.I.P. Member Joined: February 16 2006 Status: Offline Points: 1232	Post Options Post Reply Quote endman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May 03 2007 at 11:22am
	Everybody is a human and nobody wants to die, the government must make sure that these professionals will have all the protection that money can buy, I wonder if solders did not show up for the battle what would happen to them? They would be court-martialed and shoot, maybe we should tell our doctors and nurses, That this could be the consequences if they didn�t show up for work, they are our solders in the battle with BF and if they don�t show up we all are dead. I think if BF every happens (hope not) the government will take all the freedoms from ordinary citizens, just to make them go to work and not let the economy collapse.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May 03 2007 at 11:35am
	Problem with these kinds of surveys is that it's mighty easy to be a hero on a piece of paper. Example: While I was in Iraq I had dealings with an Army brigade and went on patrols with them. One particularly boisterous person kept talking about how great it would be to get into a firefight. He had obviously never been shot at before in his life. When we finally ended up in a small skirmish he curled up in the back end of the Hummvee and wouldn't move. It's one thing to sit in your easy chair and say you'd show up when TSHTF. It's a whole 'nother ballgame when you're staring down both barrels of you contracting a potentially fatal illness and spreading it to your family if you go to work.

WordSmith Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Experienced Member Joined: August 04 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote WordSmith Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May 03 2007 at 1:14pm
	Our Florida lawmakers have not funded the federally subsidized Tamiflu purchase, making Florida the only State not stockpiling antivirals. With no vaccine and no treatment, I don't think we are going to have ANY medical personnel showing up for work. What would be the point of taking the risk with no treatment to offer? Likewise, with no treatment available, how many police, firefighters, water and electric workers are going to risk infection from a virus that is currently killing 50% - 75% of those who are infected? I don't understand how it is possible that our lawmakers don't get what that means - total social collapse. I guess they have decided to just hope it won't happen. That worked so well for the people in New Orleans when Katrina hit.