The Motivation of Medical Staff and the Work Interestedness in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, in a Tertiary Hospital in Romania

The influence of the merger process between two tertiary hospitals in Romania on job satisfaction among staff

Aim

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the merger process of two tertiary hospitals located in the northwest of Romania on the professional satisfaction among medical and non-medical staff and to develop a standardized satisfaction questionnaire for romanian hospitals.

Methods

1750 questionnaires distributed within County Clinical Emergency Hospital Bihor (CCEHBh) ten months and one year and four months after the merger process were analyzed.

Results

The percentage of staff who declare themselves satisfied with their work one year and four months after the merger is 80.14%. It has a downward trend compared to the result measured 10 months after the merger (86.14%) (χ2 test, p < 0.01). The aspects that were rated with the lowest percentage as satisfactory were the possibility of promotion (41.89%) and job security (53.38%). A statistically significant decrease was also recorded in the assessment of career prospects (from 81.49% to 74.73%, χ2 test, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Even if there was a decrease in job satisfaction between the two evaluated periods, we can state that the general level at the last measurement is a good one (4.07 out of a maximum of 5). There was no significant difference in job satisfaction 1 year and 4 months after the merger for staff in the merged unit (4.06) compared to staff in the absorbing unit (4.09). The questionnaire applied in 2023 is one that has proven validity and reliability, being a good starting point for creating a standardized questionnaire that could be implemented in the vast majority of hospitals in Romania. The application of the questionnaire at an interval of 3-6 months would highlight the result of the implemented measures and the trend of employee satisfaction within CCEHBh.

Clinical Differences between SARS-CoV-2 and RSV Infections in Infants: Findings from a Case-Control Study

Infants are a unique pediatric group due to their high hospitalization rates and unfavorable outcomes from acute infectious diseases. Understanding the clinical differences and aftereffects of SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to other prevalent viruses in this age group, like RSV, is crucial for effective management. We conducted a retrospective case-control study of infants hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in one year, in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Bucharest, Romania. A total of 188 infants were included in the analysis in a 1:1 ratio (94 with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 94 with RSV infection). Infants with COVID-19 were 10.2 times more likely to have fever (p < 0.001) and 2.4 times more likely to have diarrhea (p = 0.016). Conversely, infants with RSV were 2.5 times more likely to have a cough (p < 0.001), 3.0 times more likely to have nasal congestion (p < 0.001), and 14.7 times more likely to present with dyspnea (p < 0.001). Increased lymphocyte count was more common in infants with RSV (p = 0.008), while lymphopenia was more frequent in infants with SARS-CoV-2 (p = 0.011). The median length of hospital stay was one day longer in infants with RSV infection (5 days vs. 4 days). Overall, infants with RSV infection had a 27.3-fold increased risk of developing respiratory failure (p < 0.001), while infants with COVID-19 had a 5.8-fold increased risk of laryngitis (p = 0.003). Our findings suggest that infants with SARS-CoV-2 infection may present with polymorphic symptoms, mostly dominated by fever, whereas infants with RSV often present with respiratory symptoms. Laboratory differentiation between the two infections is challenging; therefore, the use of rapid antigen or molecular diagnostic tests is crucial for accurate diagnosis, epidemiologically appropriate measures, and effective management. Continued surveillance of both viruses in infants, and beyond, and the implementation of specific control measures are needed to mitigate their impact on this vulnerable pediatric group.