Healthcare workers' presenteeism causing an outbreak of respiratory infections in a facility for patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to identify the source of infection and medical costs for a respiratory infection outbreak in a facility for patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID). Presenteeism refers to a situation wherein a person continues going to work despite being ill.

Methods: The cohort included 1 healthcare worker and 17 patients who developed a fever of ≥37.5°C with respiratory symptoms for nearly a month. An outbreak investigation was conducted, which determined the initial case of the outbreak to be a single healthcare worker. We performed a univariate analysis to determine the association of the healthcare worker. From the medical records, we evaluated the costs of addition treatment and laboratory tests for the respiratory infection.

Results: The source of infection was a healthcare worker at the facility (Odds ratio, 17.5; 95% confidential interval, 3.0-101.8). The total medical cost for hospitalized patients due to this outbreak was $12,324.

Discussion: The source of a respiratory infection outbreak in a facility for SMID was suggested to be a healthcare worker's presenteeism.

Conclusions: The cause of this outbreak was healthcare workers' presenteeism. To prevent outbreaks, such facilities should address the causative factors.

Keywords: Long-term care facility; Medical costs; Outbreak; Presenteeism; Respiratory infection.