A bstract Background Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed healthcare workers (HCWs) to a unique set of challenges and stressors. Our frontline workers are under tremendous psychological pressure because of the ever-rising crisis. This study was done to assess the magnitude of the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical and nonclinical HCWs in India. Materials and methods It was a cross-sectional, online survey that was done from June 1, 2020, to July 4, 2020. A total of 313 clinical and nonclinical HCWs, who were directly or indirectly involved in patient care, participated in the study. The psychological impact was assessed in terms of four variables: insomnia, anxiety, depression, and stress. Insomnia was assessed by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Anxiety and depression were assessed via the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), which included a 2-item anxiety scale and a 2-item depression scale (PHQ-2). Stress was assessed via the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). We also compared the psychological impact of this pandemic between clinical and nonclinical HCWs. Results 7.3% of HCWs were having moderate insomnia, 3.8% had severe insomnia, and 20.8% were having subthreshold insomnia. Severe anxiety and depression were found in 6.7% of respondents. 8.0 and 32.3% of the respondents had moderate and mild anxiety–depression, respectively. 6.4% had high perceived stress. 47.6 and 46.0% of the respondents had moderate and low stress, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in severe insomnia between clinical and nonclinical HCWs, whereas no significant difference in anxiety, depression, and stress between clinical and nonclinical HCWs. Conclusion This study suggests that psychological morbidity is prevalent among both clinical and nonclinical HCWs and both males and females. Early intervention may be beneficial to prevent this issue. How to cite this article Sunil R, Bhatt MT, Bhumika TV, Thomas N, Puranik A, Chaudhuri S, et al. Weathering the Storm: Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Clinical and Nonclinical Healthcare Workers in India. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(1):16–20.

BackgroundHealthcare systems worldwide are overwhelmed in the treatment of ever-increasing number of COVID 19 patients which has affected the management of non COVID 19 patients as well. We tested the adherence to Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) definition laid down by The Government of India for triaging of suspected COVID 19 cases, and the impact of this strategy on the non covid patients admitted to SARI ICU as suspected cases of covid 19 disease.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted to reflect the appropriateness and adherence of SARI definition in two tertiary care medical college hospitals in triaging COVID 19 suspect cases and assessed the challenges in admission, diagnosis and treatment of non COVID 19 diseases. The study involved 78 patients in two multidisciplinary units of medical college hospitals in the month of June – July 2020. Data related to demographics, severity of illness, advanced life supports required, delay in diagnosis, intervention and treatment of patients in SARI ICU due to suspect COVID 19 status was documented. ResultsAdherence to SARI definition for triaging COVID suspect cases was 19.2%. Respiratory symptoms amounted to 24% of presenting complaints. Despite hindrance in the diagnosis (17.9%) and treatment (12.8%), mortality among patients in SARI ICU was limited to 14.10%. The results were in-significant when checked for the various factors associated with mortality.ConclusionThe adherence to SARI definition while triaging COVID suspect cases to intensive care units was low among the clinicians. There were hindrances in the diagnosis and treatment of non COVID diseases due to COVID suspect status of the patient. However, treatment outcomes of these patients were comparable to critically ill population with similar disease severity scores suggesting that quality of care may not have been compromised despite the pandemic. Poor adherence to SARI definition while triaging might have led to economic implications on patients and healthcare systems but further studies are required to comment regarding the same.