Healthcare workers’ preparedness and response during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are most at risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 infection. Their preparedness, as a result of provision and access to personal protective equipment (PPE), training programmes and awareness and practices on infection prevention and control measures, is integral for the prevention of infectious disease transmission. Objectives This study was conducted to assess the preparedness and practices of HCWs during COVID-19 first wave outbreak in Brunei Darussalam. Methods A cross-sectional study using a pre-designed and self-administered web-based questionnaire was conducted among HCWs from government and private health sectors ranging from primary to tertiary health facilities in Brunei Darussalam. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and chi-square test was used for statistical significance. Results A total of 511 HCWs participated in the study. Nurses (64%) and HCWs based at hospitals (66%) made up the majority of the study participants, with 74% having occupational exposure to COVID-19 cases. More than 99% of HCWs used respiratory PPE, and 94% used gloves. 74% had undergone respirator fit testing and 65% had received PPE awareness session within the last one year. Coverage in training programmes was found to be low among HCWs from private health facilities. Conclusions Majority of HCWs who had received updated training programmes and therefore were better prepared came from government health facilities. HCWs from private health facilities lacked preparedness training programmes and as such, there needs to be improvement to enhance preparedness measures in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and for future infectious disease outbreaks.

SARS-COV-2 Screening of Health Care Workers in Brunei Darussalam

“…A risk assessment was conducted on each HCW based on the standard operating procedure (SOP) developed by MOH (2020b) following guidelines published by WHO (2020d) and CDC (2020b), USA; this assessment included job-specific PPE practices. By the first half of 2020, 74% of clinical HCWs had undergone respirator fit testing as a part of COVID-19 pandemic preparedness (Trivedi et al, 2021). Duration of contact exposure, estimated distance between the HCW and contact, work tasks involving aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), and use of PPE were parameters considered for risk assessment.…”

Returning to Work after the COVID-19 Pandemic Earthquake: A Systematic Review

“…A participated training process plays a key role in COVID-19 prevention and safe RTW. These can also be included as preventive strategies and preparedness plans [109]. Lai R et al highlighted that hospital management should strengthen the training related to the pandemic issue through intervention and online or offline education [70].…”

COVID-19 Pandemic in Brunei Darussalam

“…It is also a high-income country with a GDP of USD 14.01 billion in 2021 [18,19] . It has a well-developed healthcare system ensuring adequate access to healthcare services among its citizens and residents, contributing to infant mortality of 6.9/1000 live births and a life expectancy at birth of 76.4 years in 2022 [18,20] . The Government offers universal health coverage, including the provision of 15 comprehensive health centres, four hospitals, two air medical services, and two mobile health clinics.…”