Ng QX, Yau CE, Yaow CYL, Lim YL, Xin X, Thumboo J, Fong KY. Impact of COVID-19 on Environmental Services Workers in Healthcare Settings: A Scoping Review.
J Hosp Infect 2022;
130:95-103. [PMID:
36116538 PMCID:
PMC9474977 DOI:
10.1016/j.jhin.2022.09.001]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background
In the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, demand for deep cleaning and environmental services workers grew exponentially. Although there is extant literature examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers, less emphasis has been placed on environmental services workers, who play an equally important front-line role.
Aim
To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on environmental services workers employed in healthcare settings.
Methods
Scoping review methodology. A search strategy was developed, in consultation with a medical information specialist, employing various combinations of the keywords [(environmental services worker OR health attendant OR housekeeping) AND (COVID OR coronavirus OR pandemic OR epidemic)]. Four bibliographical databases were searched from inception to 5th July 2022: OVID Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Cochrane Database.
Results
In total, 24 studies were included in this review. The studies were generally cross-sectional in design. Seroprevalence studies highlighted significantly higher rates of COVID-19 among environmental services workers (housekeeping, cleaning and janitorial staff) compared with other clinical and non-clinical staff in the same institutions. In addition, based on qualitative interviews, environmental services workers experienced greater psychological stress working during the pandemic.
Conclusions
Environmental services workers were particularly vulnerable to increased work stress and COVID-19 during the pandemic. Health systems need to do more to support these workers. Further research could investigate specific policy and procedural changes to benefit this under-recognized group in the greater healthcare workforce.
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