# Perceptions of sources of transmission among hospital employees infected with severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in an urban tertiary care hospital: a qualitative study to inform future pandemic management

## TL;DR

Hospital workers infected with SARS-CoV-2 felt more transmission risk from coworkers and community interactions than from patients, highlighting the need for better communication and infrastructure.

## Contribution

This study provides novel insights into hospital employees' perceptions of SARS-CoV-2 transmission risks and actionable recommendations for pandemic management.

## Key findings

- Employees reported low concern about transmission during patient care but higher risk from coworkers due to limited space and masking.
- Community risks were linked to social gatherings and household members as essential workers.
- Recommendations included better ventilation, support for sick employees, and clearer communication about non-patient risks.

## Abstract

Hospital employees are at risk of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection from patient, coworker, and community interactions. Understanding employees’ perspectives on transmission risks may inform hospital pandemic management strategies.

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 23 employees to assess factors contributing to perceived transmission risks during patient, coworker, and community interactions and to elicit recommendations. Using a deductive approach, transcripts were coded to identify recurring themes.

Tertiary hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

Employees with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test between March 2020 and January 2021, a period before widespread vaccine availability.

Employees generally reported low concern about transmission risks during patient care. Most patient-related risks, including limited inpatient testing and personal protective equipment availability, were only reported during the early weeks of the pandemic, except for suboptimal masking adherence by patients. Participants reported greater perceived transmission risks from coworkers, due to limited breakroom space, suboptimal coworker masking, and perceptions of inadequate contact tracing. Perceived community risks were related to social gatherings and to household members who also had high SARS-CoV-2 infection risk because they were essential workers. Recommendations included increasing well-ventilated workspaces and breakrooms, increasing support for sick employees, and stronger hospital communication about risks from non-patient-care activities, including the importance of masking adherence with coworkers and in the community.

To reduce transmission during future pandemics, hospitals may consider improving communication on risk reduction during coworker and community interactions. Societal investments are needed to improve hospital infrastructure (eg, better ventilation and breakroom space) and increase support for sick employees.