Personnel well-being and potentially traumatic COVID-19 pandemic related events (PTES) in the hus helsinki university hospital – baseline results

INTRODUCTION: A majority of the Finnish COVID-19 pandemic patients have been cared for in the HUS Helsinki University Hospital since March 2020. OBJECTIVES: June 2020 baseline results of an ongoing prospective cohort study are reported. METHODS: An electronic survey was created to assess potentially traumatic COVID-19 pandemic related events (PTEs) of the HUS personnel. RESULTS: The survey was sent to 25494 HUS employees, and 4804 (19%) answered. Out of the respondents, 62% were nursing staff, 9% medical doctors, and the rest special employees or other personnel. Mean age was 44 years, 88% were female. PTEs were more common in the personnel directly caring for COVID-19 patients than other personnel (p< 0.001). PTEs predicted psychological distress among all personnel (OR 5.05; 95%CI 4.26–6.00). Table. Potentially traumatic events (PTEs) among HUS personnel, June 2020. One respondent may have one or more PTEs. [Table: see text] (1)Has your work with COVID-19 patients or suspected patients included exceptionally disturbing or distressing assignments? (2)Have you had strong anxiety due to your own or close one’s risk of contracting serious illness for your work with COVID-19 patients or suspected patients? (3)Have you or your close one contracted a hospital care requiring serious COVID-19? (4)Has a close one to you died of COVID-19? CONCLUSIONS: Our data highlight the need to ensure psychosocial support services to HUS personnel with PTEs. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: No significant relationships.