Absenteeism and presenteeism in healthcare workers due to respiratory illness.

Kuster, Stefan P; Böni, Jürg; Kouyos, Roger D; Huber, Michael; Schmutz, Stefan; Shah, Cyril; Bischoff-Ferrari, Heike A; Distler, Oliver; Battegay, Edouard; Giovanoli, Pietro; Guckenberger, Matthias; Kohler, Malcolm; Müller, Rouven; Petry, Heidi; Ruschitzka, Frank; McGeer, Allison; Coleman, Brenda L; Sax, Hugo; Weber, Rainer; Trkola, Alexandra

OBJECTIVE To assess influenza symptoms, adherence to mask use recommendations, absenteesm and presenteeism in acute care healthcare workers (HCWs) during influenza epidemics. METHODS The TransFLUas influenza transmission study in acute healthcare prospectively followed HCWs prospectively over 2 consecutive influenza seasons. Symptom diaries asking for respiratory symptoms and adherence with mask use recommendations were recorded on a daily basis, and study participants provided midturbinate nasal swabs for influenza testing. RESULTS In total, 152 HCWs (65.8% nurses and 13.2% physicians) were included: 89.1% of study participants reported at least 1 influenza symptom during their study season and 77.8% suffered from respiratory symptoms. Also, 28.3% of HCW missed at least 1 working day during the study period: 82.6% of these days were missed because of symptoms of influenza illness. Of all participating HCWs, 67.9% worked with symptoms of influenza infection on 8.8% of study days. On 0.3% of study days, symptomatic HCWs were shedding influenza virus while at work. Among HCWs with respiratory symptoms, 74.1% adhered to the policy to wear a mask at work on 59.1% of days with respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Respiratory disease is frequent among HCWs and imposes a significant economic burden on hospitals due to the number of working days lost. Presenteesm with respiratory illness, including influenza, is also frequent and poses a risk for patients and staff. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02478905 (clinicaltrials.gov).