Hygiene and labour protection of medical staff under conditions of COVID-19 pandemicovercoming. The second message: changes and challenges

Abstract

Objective: We studied the dynamics and causes of acute occupational morbidity on COVID-19 in medical staff, changes in labour conditions and safety of medical workers, their protection with adequate and effective personal protective equipment in particular. Materials and methods: We applied bibliographic, hygienic, questionnaire and mathematical methods in the study. As a material for the study, we used the results of our own observations, questionnaires for a survey of medical staff, data of the WHO, the Ministry of Healthcare of Ukraine, the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Healthcare of Ukraine, the State Labour Service of Ukraine, the State Statistics Service of Ukraine and thematic scientific sources of information. Results: The work of the doctors involved in COVID-19 pandemic overcoming is classified as dangerous (extreme). An increase in the degree of neuro-emotional stress and accumulation of fatigue was revealed in comparison with the data of the first report. A significant number of ergonomic and physiological and hygienic deficiencies in personal protective equipment were recorded. Nurses (38.43%), assistant nurses (22.69%) paramedics (3.72%), practicians of family medicine (2.91 %), therapists (2.86%) and anesthesiologists (2.52%) predominate among medical staff diagnosed with COVID-19 acute occupational disease. An extremely low number of commission investigations of the accidents (COVID-19 diseases in medical workers), completed as of June 22, 2020, was revealed. Conclusions: The incidence rates of medical workers for COVID-19 and a significant number of the deaths in medical staff as a result of the infection with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus indicate the insufficient attention of the state to the issues of labour protection in medical industry.