Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, full text: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]
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Volume 17, Number 8?August 2011
Research
Cost-effectiveness of Sick Leave Policies for Health Care Workers with Influenza-like Illness, Brazil, 2009
Nancy Val y Val P. Mota, Renata D. Lobo, Cristiana M. Toscano, Antonio C. Pedroso de Lima, M. Beatriz Souza Dias, Helio Komagata, and Anna S. Levin
Author affiliations: Hospital das Cl?nicas, S?o Paulo, Brazil (N.V.V.P. Mota, R.D. Lobo, M.B. Souza Dias, H. Komagata, A.S. Levin); Federal University of Goi?s, Goi?nia, Brazil (C.M. Toscano); and University of S?o Paulo, S?o Paulo (A.C. Pedroso de Lima, A.S. Levin)
Abstract
We describe the effect of influenza-like illness (ILI) during the outbreak of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 on health care worker (HCW) absenteeism and compare the effectiveness and cost of 2 sick leave policies for HCWs with suspected influenza. We assessed initial 2-day sick leaves plus reassessment until the HCW was asymptomatic (2-day + reassessment policy), and initial 7-day sick leaves (7-day policy). Sick leaves peaked in August 2009: 3% of the workforce received leave for ILI. Costs during May?October reached R$798,051.87 (≈US $443,362). The 7-day policy led to a higher monthly rate of sick leave days per 100 HCWs than did the 2-day + reassessment policy (8.72 vs. 3.47 days/100 HCWs; p<0.0001) and resulted in higher costs (US $609 vs. US $1,128 per HCW on leave). ILI affected HCW absenteeism. The 7-day policy was more costly and not more effective in preventing transmission to patients than the 2-day + reassessment policy.
-Research
Cost-effectiveness of Sick Leave Policies for Health Care Workers with Influenza-like Illness, Brazil, 2009
Nancy Val y Val P. Mota, Renata D. Lobo, Cristiana M. Toscano, Antonio C. Pedroso de Lima, M. Beatriz Souza Dias, Helio Komagata, and Anna S. Levin
Author affiliations: Hospital das Cl?nicas, S?o Paulo, Brazil (N.V.V.P. Mota, R.D. Lobo, M.B. Souza Dias, H. Komagata, A.S. Levin); Federal University of Goi?s, Goi?nia, Brazil (C.M. Toscano); and University of S?o Paulo, S?o Paulo (A.C. Pedroso de Lima, A.S. Levin)
Abstract
We describe the effect of influenza-like illness (ILI) during the outbreak of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 on health care worker (HCW) absenteeism and compare the effectiveness and cost of 2 sick leave policies for HCWs with suspected influenza. We assessed initial 2-day sick leaves plus reassessment until the HCW was asymptomatic (2-day + reassessment policy), and initial 7-day sick leaves (7-day policy). Sick leaves peaked in August 2009: 3% of the workforce received leave for ILI. Costs during May?October reached R$798,051.87 (≈US $443,362). The 7-day policy led to a higher monthly rate of sick leave days per 100 HCWs than did the 2-day + reassessment policy (8.72 vs. 3.47 days/100 HCWs; p<0.0001) and resulted in higher costs (US $609 vs. US $1,128 per HCW on leave). ILI affected HCW absenteeism. The 7-day policy was more costly and not more effective in preventing transmission to patients than the 2-day + reassessment policy.
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