Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Rates and Contagion Status of Physicians and Nurses Working in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit

AIM: This study aimed to examine the rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and contagiousness of physicians and nurses working in the COVID-19 intensive care unit. METHOD: This retrospective and cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 90 healthcare professionals. The study included healthcare professionals who were infected between May 2020-January 2021. Research data were collected through the "Survey Form" created by the researchers by examining the literature. RESULTS: 74.4 % of the participants were female, 82.2 % were nurses, 17.8 % were doctors. 66.7% of the participants were infected with SARS-CoV-2, 66.6% of those infected had symptoms of COVID-19 in their relatives within 14 days. SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were found to be statistically significantly higher among healthcare professionals who intervened with patients by using personal protective equipment inappropriately. CONCLUSION: It has been determined that the health personnel working in the intensive care units work more than the health personnel working in other parts of the hospital, intervene with the patients from a closer distance, have difficulties in accessing personal protective equipment in the early stages of the pandemic, nurses and doctors are the factors that increase the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection.