Last data update: Apr 29, 2024. (Total: 46658 publications since 2009)
Records 1-30 (of 32 Records) |
Query Trace: Caruso C[original query] |
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Design and modification of COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing interview scripts used by health departments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
Orfield C , Loosier PS , Wagner S , Sabin ER , Fiscus M , Matulewicz H , Vohra D , Staatz C , Taylor MM , Caruso EC , DeLuca N , Moonan PK , Oeltmann JE , Thorpe P . J Public Health Manag Pract 2024 30 (3) 336-345 OBJECTIVES: We sought to (1) document how health departments (HDs) developed COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing (CI/CT) interview scripts and the topics covered, and (2) understand how and why HDs modified those scripts. DESIGN: Qualitative analysis of CI/CT interview scripts and in-depth key informant interviews with public health officials in 14 HDs. Collected scripts represent 3 distinct points (initial, the majority of which were time stamped May 2020; interim, spanning from September 2020 to August 2021; and current, as of April 2022). SETTING: Fourteen state, local, and tribal health jurisdictions and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six public health officials involved in leading CI/CT from 14 state, local, and tribal health jurisdictions (6 states, 3 cities, 4 counties, and 1 tribal area). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Interview script elements included in CI/CT interview scripts over time. RESULTS: Many COVID-19 CI/CT scripts were developed by modifying questions from scripts used for other communicable diseases. Early in the pandemic, scripts included guidance on isolation/quarantine and discussed symptoms of COVID-19. As the pandemic evolved, the length of scripts increased substantially, with significant additions on contact elicitation, vaccinations, isolation/quarantine recommendations, and testing. Drivers of script changes included changes in our understanding of how the virus spreads, risk factors and symptoms, new treatments, new variants, vaccine development, and adjustments to CDC's official isolation and quarantine guidance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings offer suggestions about components to include in future CI/CT efforts, including educating members of the public about the disease and its symptoms, offering mitigation guidance, and providing sufficient support and resources to help people act on that guidance. Assessing the correlation between script length and number of completed interviews or other quality and performance measures could be an area for future study. |
Preparing the occupational safety and health workforce for future disruptions
Streit JMK , Felknor SA , Edwards NT , Caruso DL , Howard J . Am J Ind Med 2023 67 (1) 55-72 BACKGROUND: Despite some emerging lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence suggests the world remains largely underprepared for-and vulnerable to-similar threats in the future. METHODS: In 2022, researchers at the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) led a team of volunteers to explore how future disruptions, such as pandemics, might impact work and the practice of occupational safety and health (OSH). This qualitative inquiry was framed as a strategic foresight project and included a series of activities designed to help better understand, prepare for, and influence the future. RESULTS: Findings from a thorough search for indicators of change were synthesized into nine critical uncertainties and four plausible future scenarios. Analysis of these outputs elucidated three key challenges that may impact OSH research, policy, and practice during future disruptions: (1) data access, (2) direct-to-worker communications, and (3) mis- and dis-information management. CONCLUSIONS: A robust strategic response is offered to address these challenges, and next steps are proposed to enhance OSH preparedness and institutionalize strategic foresight across the OSH community. |
Tuberculosis testing and latent tuberculosis infection treatment practices among health care providers - United States, 2020-2022
Caruso E , Mangan JM , Maiuri A , Bouwkamp B , DeLuca N . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023 72 (44) 1183-1189 CDC recommends testing persons at increased risk for tuberculosis (TB) infection as part of routine health care, using TB blood tests, when possible, and, if a diagnosis of latent TB infection (LTBI) is made, prescribing a rifamycin-based, 3- or 4-month treatment regimen (short-course) to prevent the development of TB disease. In 2022, approximately three quarters (73%) of reported TB cases in the United States occurred among non-U.S.-born persons. To assess TB-related practices among health care providers (HCPs) in the United States, CDC analyzed data from the 2020-2022 Porter Novelli DocStyles surveys. Approximately one half (53.3%) of HCPs reported routinely testing non-U.S.-born patients for TB, and of those who did, 35.7% exclusively ordered recommended blood tests, 44.2% exclusively ordered skin tests, and 20.2% ordered TB skin tests and blood tests. One third (33.0%) of HCPs reported prescribing recommended short-course LTBI treatment regimens, and 4.0% reported doing none of the treatment practices available for patients with LTBI (i.e., prescribing short-course regimens, longer course regimens, or referring patients to a health department). Further efforts are needed to identify and overcome barriers for providers to test for and treat persons at risk for TB. |
Home-based testing and COVID-19 isolation recommendations, United States
Moonan PK , Smith JP , Borah BF , Vohra D , Matulewicz HH , DeLuca N , Caruso E , Loosier PS , Thorpe P , Taylor MM , Oeltmann JE . Emerg Infect Dis 2023 29 (9) 1921-1924 Using a nationally representative panel survey, we examined isolation behaviors among persons in the United States who had positive SARS-CoV-2 test results during January 2021-March 2022. Compared with persons who received provider-administered results, persons with home-based results had 29% (95% CI 5%-47%) lower odds of following isolation recommendations. |
Isolation and quarantine for COVID-19 in the United States, 2020-2022
Oeltmann JE , Vohra D , Matulewicz HH , DeLuca N , Smith JP , Couzens C , Lash RR , Harvey B , Boyette M , Edwards A , Talboy PM , Dubose O , Regan P , Loosier P , Caruso E , Katz DJ , Taylor MM , Moonan PK . Clin Infect Dis 2023 77 (2) 212-219 BACKGROUND: Public health programs varied in ability to reach people with COVID-19 and their contacts to encourage separation from others. For both adult cases of COVID-19 and contacts, we estimated the impact of contact tracing activities on separation behaviors from January, 2020 until March, 2022. METHODS: We used a probability-based panel survey of a nationally representative sample to gather data for estimates and comparisons. RESULTS: An estimated 64,255,351 adults reported a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result; 79.6% isolated for >5 days, 60.2% isolated for >10 days, and 79.2% self-notified contacts. 24,057,139 (37.7%) completed a case investigation and 46.2% reported contacts to health officials. More adults who completed a case investigation isolated than adults who did not (>5 days, 82.6%; >10 days, 69.8% versus >5 days, 78.2% and >10 days 54.8%; p-values for both measures <0.05).84,946,636 adults were a contact to a COVID-19 case; 73.1% learned of their exposure directly from a case; 49.4% quarantined for >5 days, 18.7% quarantined for >14 days, and 13.5% completed a contact tracing call. More who completed a contact tracing call quarantined than those who did not (>5 days, 61.2%; >14 days, 25.2% versus >5 days, 48.5%; >14 days, 18.0%; p-values for both measures <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Engagement in contact tracing positively correlated with isolation and quarantine. However, most adults with COVID-19 isolated and self-notified contacts regardless of whether the public health workforce was able to reach them. Identifying and reaching contacts was challenging, and limited the ability to promote quarantining, and testing. |
Experiences with COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing: A qualitative analysis
DeLuca N , Caruso E , Gupta R , Kemmerer C , Coughlin R , Chan O , Vohra D , Oeltmann JE , Taylor MM , Moonan PK , Thorpe PG , Loosier PS , Haile G . SSM Qual Res Health 2023 3 100244 Case investigation and contact tracing (CI/CT) is a critical part of the public health response to COVID-19. Individuals' experiences with CI/CT for COVID-19 varied based on geographic location, changes in knowledge and guidelines, access to testing and vaccination, as well as demographic characteristics including age, race, ethnicity, income, and political ideology. In this paper, we explore the experiences and behaviors of adults with positive SARS-CoV-2 test results, or who were exposed to a person with COVID-19, to understand their knowledge, motivations, and facilitators and barriers to their actions. We conducted focus groups and one-on-one interviews with 94 cases and 90 contacts from across the United States. We found that participants were concerned about infecting or exposing others, which motivated them to isolate or quarantine, notify contacts, and get tested. Although most cases and contacts were not contacted by CI/CT professionals, those who were reported a positive experience and received helpful information. Many cases and contacts reported seeking information from family, friends, health care providers, as well as television news and Internet sources. Although participants reported similar perspectives and experiences across demographic characteristics, some highlighted inequities in receiving COVID-19 information and resources. |
Seizure- or Epilepsy-Related Emergency Department Visits Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, 2019-2021.
Sapkota S , Caruso E , Kobau R , Radhakrishnan L , Jobst B , DeVies J , Tian N , Hogan RE , Zack MM , Pastula DM . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022 71 (21) 703-708 Seizures, transient signs or symptoms caused by abnormal surges of electrical activity in the brain, can result from epilepsy, a neurologic disorder characterized by abnormal electrical brain activity causing recurrent, unprovoked seizures, or from other inciting causes, such as high fever or substance abuse (1). Seizures generally account for approximately 1% of all emergency department (ED) visits (2,3). Persons of any age can experience seizures, and outcomes might range from no complications for those with a single seizure to increased risk for injury, comorbidity, impaired quality of life, and early mortality for those with epilepsy (4). To examine trends in weekly seizure- or epilepsy-related (seizure-related) ED visits(†) in the United States before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, CDC analyzed data from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP).(§) Seizure-related ED visits decreased abruptly during the early pandemic period. By the end of 2020, seizure-related ED visits returned almost to prepandemic levels for persons of all ages, except children aged 0-9 years. By mid-2021, however, this age group gradually returned to baseline as well. Reasons for the decrease in seizure-related ED visits in 2020 among all age groups and the slow return to baseline among children aged 0-9 years compared with other age groups are unclear. The decrease might have been associated with fear of exposure to COVID-19 infection in EDs deterring parents or guardians of children from seeking care, adherence to mitigation measures including avoiding public settings such as EDs, or increased access to telehealth services decreasing the need for ED visits (5). These findings reinforce the importance of understanding factors associated with ED avoidance among persons with epilepsy or seizure, the importance that all eligible persons be up to date(¶) with COVID-19 vaccination, and the need to encourage persons to seek appropriate care for seizure-related emergencies** to prevent adverse outcomes. |
Research priorities to reduce risks from work hours and fatigue in the healthcare and social assistance sector
Caruso CC , Arbour MW , Berger AM , Hittle BM , Tucker S , Patrician PA , Trinkoff AM , Rogers AE , Barger LK , Edmonson JC , Landrigan CP , Redeker NS , Chasens ER . Am J Ind Med 2022 65 (11) 867-877 BACKGROUND: The services of Healthcare and Social Assistance (HCSA) workers are needed by society around the clock. As a result, these workers are exposed to shift work and long work hours. The combination of demanding work schedules and other hazards in the HCSA work environment increases the health and safety risks to these workers, as well as to their patients/clients and the public. METHODS: This paper has three aims: (1) provide an overview of the burden of shift work, long hours, and related sleep and fatigue problems in this sector; (2) suggest research priorities that would improve these; and (3) discuss potential positive impacts of addressing these research priorities for the health and safety of workers and the public. The authors used a modified Delphi approach to anonymously rank-order priorities for improving HCSA worker health and safety and public safety. Input was also obtained from attendees at the 2019 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Work Hours, Sleep, and Fatigue Forum. RESULTS: The highest rated research priorities were developing better designs for work schedules, and improving the HCSA culture and leadership approaches to shift work and long work hours. Additional priorities are identified. CONCLUSION: Research in these priority areas has the potential to benefit HCSA workers as well as their patients/clients, employers, and society. |
Pilot test of 'NIOSH training for law enforcement on shift work and long work hours'
James L , Caruso CC , James S . J Occup Environ Med 2022 64 (7) 599-606 OBJECTIVE: Pilot test the effectiveness of an online training program for managing shift work and long work hours. METHOD: Fifty-seven officers from across the United States participated for 12 weeks in a pre-test, training intervention, post-test design assessing the following measures: sleep using actigraphy, diaries, and surveys; knowledge and feedback about the training using surveys. RESULTS: After the training, actigraphy data showed significant reductions in sleep latency and awakenings during sleep. Survey data showed reductions in sleepiness, difficulty staying awake during the day, and difficulty getting things done. Frequency of nightmares also decreased. Participants knowledge about sleep improved and satisfaction with the training was high. CONCLUSION: Participants were satisfied with the training and showed objective improvements in their sleep and subjective improvements in feelings when awake. This research will help inform interventions to improve police officer health and wellness. |
Preferences for shigellosis-related health promotion materials for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men: Results from a Qualitative Assessment, Atlanta, GA, 2017
Respress E , Evener SL , Caruso E , Jacobson K , Bowen A , Kachur RE , Garcia-Williams AG , Wright ER . Sex Transm Dis 2021 49 (4) 304-309 BACKGROUND: Shigellosis, an acute diarrheal disease, is the third most common bacterial infection in the United States. Shigellosis most commonly affects children under the age of 5; however, clusters and outbreaks of shigellosis have been reported among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). Evidence suggests that knowledge of shigellosis among MSM is low, indicating health promotion outreach is needed for this population. METHODS: To inform the development of shigellosis-related health communication materials and strategies, six focus groups were conducted in 2017, in Atlanta, Georgia among 24 self-identified gay and bisexual men. Participants were asked about their preferences and recommendations for health communication materials. RESULTS: Participants indicated they would prefer a range of physical and virtual materials placed in diverse locations where the community would see them. Respondents recommended health messages be simple, quick to read, and concise and have limited word counts. Participants also advised the use of diverse images that were inclusive of couples of varying sexual orientations to reduce stigma. Participants advocated for the use of humor and provocative images to increase user engagement. CONCLUSIONS: The results emphasize the potential benefits of conducting formative research when designing health communication materials. Incorporating messaging preferences of MSM in the development of shigellosis-related health communication materials could enhance their relevance for the target population, while also avoiding unintended consequences associated with stigmatizing MSM. |
Emergency Department Visits for COVID-19 by Race and Ethnicity - 13 States, October-December 2020.
Smith AR , DeVies J , Caruso E , Radhakrishnan L , Sheppard M , Stein Z , Calanan RM , Hartnett KP , Kite-Powell A , Rodgers L , Adjemian J . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021 70 (15) 566-569 Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic), non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black), and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons have experienced disproportionately higher rates of hospitalization and death attributable to COVID-19 than have non-Hispanic White (White) persons (1-4). Emergency care data offer insight into COVID-19 incidence; however, differences in use of emergency department (ED) services for COVID-19 by racial and ethnic groups are not well understood. These data, most of which are recorded within 24 hours of the visit, might be an early indicator of changing patterns in disparities. Using ED visit data from 13 states obtained from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP), CDC assessed the number of ED visits with a COVID-19 discharge diagnosis code per 100,000 population during October-December 2020 by age and race/ethnicity. Among 5,794,050 total ED visits during this period, 282,220 (4.9%) were for COVID-19. Racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 ED visit rates were observed across age groups. Compared with White persons, Hispanic, AI/AN, and Black persons had significantly more COVID-19-related ED visits overall (rate ratio [RR] range = 1.39-1.77) and in all age groups through age 74 years; compared with White persons aged ≥75 years, Hispanic and AI/AN persons also had more COVID-19-related ED visits (RR = 1.91 and 1.22, respectively). These differences in ED visit rates suggest ongoing racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 incidence and can be used to prioritize prevention resources, including COVID-19 vaccination, to reach disproportionately affected communities and reduce the need for emergency care for COVID-19. |
Transmission Dynamics by Age Group in COVID-19 Hotspot Counties - United States, April-September 2020.
Oster AM , Caruso E , DeVies J , Hartnett KP , Boehmer TK . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (41) 1494-1496 CDC works with other federal agencies to identify counties with increasing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence (hotspots) and offers support to state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (1). Understanding whether increasing incidence in hotspot counties is predominantly occurring in specific age groups is important for identifying opportunities to prevent or reduce transmission. The percentage of positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results (percent positivity) is an important indicator of community transmission.* CDC analyzed temporal trends in percent positivity by age group in COVID-19 hotspot counties before and after their identification as hotspots. Among 767 hotspot counties identified during June and July 2020, early increases in the percent positivity among persons aged ≤24 years were followed by several weeks of increasing percent positivity in persons aged ≥25 years. Addressing transmission among young adults is an urgent public health priority. |
COVID-19 Trends Among School-Aged Children - United States, March 1-September 19, 2020.
Leeb RT , Price S , Sliwa S , Kimball A , Szucs L , Caruso E , Godfred-Cato S , Lozier M . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (39) 1410-1415 Approximately 56 million school-aged children (aged 5-17 years) resumed education in the United States in fall 2020.* Analysis of demographic characteristics, underlying conditions, clinical outcomes, and trends in weekly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence during March 1-September 19, 2020 among 277,285 laboratory-confirmed cases in school-aged children in the United States might inform decisions about in-person learning and the timing and scaling of community mitigation measures. During May-September 2020, average weekly incidence (cases per 100,000 children) among adolescents aged 12-17 years (37.4) was approximately twice that of children aged 5-11 years (19.0). In addition, among school-aged children, COVID-19 indicators peaked during July 2020: weekly percentage of positive SARS-CoV-2 test results increased from 10% on May 31 to 14% on July 5; SARS-CoV-2 test volume increased from 100,081 tests on May 31 to 322,227 on July 12, and COVID-19 incidence increased from 13.8 per 100,000 on May 31 to 37.9 on July 19. During July and August, test volume and incidence decreased then plateaued; incidence decreased further during early September and might be increasing. Percentage of positive test results decreased during August and plateaued during September. Underlying conditions were more common among school-aged children with severe outcomes related to COVID-19: among school-aged children who were hospitalized, admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), or who died, 16%, 27%, and 28%, respectively, had at least one underlying medical condition. Schools and communities can implement multiple, concurrent mitigation strategies and tailor communications to promote mitigation strategies to prevent COVID-19 spread. These results can provide a baseline for monitoring trends and evaluating mitigation strategies. |
Changing Age Distribution of the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, May-August 2020.
Boehmer TK , DeVies J , Caruso E , van Santen KL , Tang S , Black CL , Hartnett KP , Kite-Powell A , Dietz S , Lozier M , Gundlapalli AV . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (39) 1404-1409 As of September 21, 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had resulted in more than 6,800,000 reported U.S. cases and more than 199,000 associated deaths.* Early in the pandemic, COVID-19 incidence was highest among older adults (1). CDC examined the changing age distribution of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States during May-August by assessing three indicators: COVID-19-like illness-related emergency department (ED) visits, positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and confirmed COVID-19 cases. Nationwide, the median age of COVID-19 cases declined from 46 years in May to 37 years in July and 38 in August. Similar patterns were seen for COVID-19-like illness-related ED visits and positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test results in all U.S. Census regions. During June-August, COVID-19 incidence was highest in persons aged 20-29 years, who accounted for >20% of all confirmed cases. The southern United States experienced regional outbreaks of COVID-19 in June. In these regions, increases in the percentage of positive SARS-CoV-2 test results among adults aged 20-39 years preceded increases among adults aged ≥60 years by an average of 8.7 days (range = 4-15 days), suggesting that younger adults likely contributed to community transmission of COVID-19. Given the role of asymptomatic and presymptomatic transmission (2), strict adherence to community mitigation strategies and personal preventive behaviors by younger adults is needed to help reduce their risk for infection and subsequent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to persons at higher risk for severe illness. |
Recent Increase in COVID-19 Cases Reported Among Adults Aged 18-22 Years - United States, May 31-September 5, 2020.
Salvatore PP , Sula E , Coyle JP , Caruso E , Smith AR , Levine RS , Baack BN , Mir R , Lockhart ER , Tiwari TSP , Dee DL , Boehmer TK , Jackson BR , Bhattarai A . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (39) 1419-1424 Although children and young adults are reportedly at lower risk for severe disease and death from infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), than are persons in other age groups (1), younger persons can experience infection and subsequently transmit infection to those at higher risk for severe illness (2-4). Although at lower risk for severe disease, some young adults experience serious illness, and asymptomatic or mild cases can result in sequelae such as myocardial inflammation (5). In the United States, approximately 45% of persons aged 18-22 years were enrolled in colleges and universities in 2019 (6). As these institutions reopen, opportunities for infection increase; therefore, mitigation efforts and monitoring reports of COVID-19 cases among young adults are important. During August 2-September 5, weekly incidence of COVID-19 among persons aged 18-22 years rose by 55.1% nationally; across U.S. Census regions,* increases were greatest in the Northeast, where incidence increased 144.0%, and Midwest, where incidence increased 123.4%. During the same period, changes in testing volume for SARS-CoV-2 in this age group ranged from a 6.2% decline in the West to a 170.6% increase in the Northeast. In addition, the proportion of cases in this age group among non-Hispanic White (White) persons increased from 33.8% to 77.3% during May 31-September 5. Mitigation and preventive measures targeted to young adults can likely reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission among their contacts and communities. As colleges and universities resume operations, taking steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among young adults is critical (7). |
Shigellosis among gay and bisexual men: A qualitative assessment to examine knowledge, attitudes, and practices
Caruso E , Wright ER , Respress ET , Evener SL , Jacobson K , Bowen A , Kachur R , Garcia-Williams A . Sex Transm Dis 2020 47 (9) 596-601 BACKGROUND: Shigellosis is a highly contagious enteric bacterial disease transmitted through the fecal-oral route. It is primarily transmitted through person-to-person contact, and via contaminated food and water. Outbreaks of shigellosis among men who have sex with men (MSM) attributed to sexual person-to-person contact have been reported. These outbreaks are of concern because they are often caused by multidrug-resistant strains of Shigella. Little is known about shigellosis-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) among gay, bisexual, and other MSM. METHODS: Six focus groups were conducted among self-identified gay or bisexual men in Atlanta, GA in Fall 2017. Participants were asked about shigellosis-related KAPs. Focus groups were audio recorded and the transcribed audio was analyzed using inductive and deductive thematic coding. RESULTS: Among the 24 focus group participants, most perceived that diarrheal illness was caused by contaminated food. Knowledge of shigellosis and Shigella was low, with most never having heard of the disease or bacteria. Participants did not perceive shigellosis to be a serious health concern, especially when compared with HIV; however, they did perceive gay and bisexual men to be at risk for Shigella infection. Participants reported mixed intentions to change sexual behaviors to prevent shigellosis or talk with sexual partners about diarrhea. CONCLUSION: Health communication and education efforts could be used to increase knowledge about shigellosis and shift perceptions about the severity of shigellosis among gay, bisexual, and other MSM. Additional work is needed to identify effective ways to promote shigellosis-related prevention behaviors among gay, bisexual, and other MSM. |
A HARD DAY'S NIGHT: Training provides nurses with strategies for shift work and long work hours
Caruso C . Alaska Nurse 2020 71 (2) 17-17 The problem for me became very severe and | my head nurse actually called me Into her office | to discuss it... it had gotten to the point where I | was so chronically sleep-deprived that I was falling | asleep while I was trying to report off to the oncoming shift. So, I’m sitting there talking about very | complicated medical issues, and in the middle of a | sentence, I would nod-off. And as you can imagine, | the person I’m speaking to would be very upset that | I’m so distracted and unfocused...” | - Quote from a night shift nurse | People get sick and injured at all hours of the | day. These injuries and illnesses are not restricted | to a typical 9-5 work shift. In the U.S., healthcare | services are available 24 hours a day 7 days a | week. To meet this demand, nurses work in shiftsoften 8-12 hours at a time—which may require them | to work at night during traditional sleeping hours. | Research has shown that shift work and long work | hours are associated with: declines in functioning | of the brain (thinking, remembering, etc.); reduced | job performance, accidents, and errors; negative | impact on health behaviors (obesity, smoking, etc.); | increased short-term and long-term health risks; and | negative impacts to patients, families, employers, | and the community. |
Nurse health: The influence of chronotype and shift timing
Hittle BM , Caruso CC , Jones HJ , Bhattacharya A , Lambert J , Gillespie GL . West J Nurs Res 2020 42 (12) 1031-1041 Extreme chronotype and circadian disrupting work hours may increase nurse disease risks. This national, cross-sectional study of nurses (N = 527) had three hypotheses. When chronotype and shift times are incongruent, nurses will experience increased likelihood of (1) obesity, (2) cardiovascular disease/risk factors, and (3) obesity or cardiovascular disease/risk factors when theoretically linked variables exist. Chronotype mismatched nurses' (n = 206) average sleep (6.1 hours, SD = 1.2) fell below 7-9 hours/24-hours sleep recommendations. Proportion of male nurses was significantly higher chronotype mismatched (12.3%) than matched (6.3%). Analyses found no direct relationship between chronotype match/mismatch with outcome variables. Exploratory interaction analysis demonstrated nurses with mismatched chronotype and above average sleep quality had an estimated 3.51 times the adjusted odds (95% CI 1.52,8.17; p = .003) of being obese. Although mechanism is unclear, this suggests sleep quality may be intricately associated with obesity. Further research is needed to inform nurses on health risks from disrupted sleep, chronotypes, and shift work. |
Policy brief: Nurse fatigue, sleep, and health, and ensuring patient and public safety
Caruso CC , Baldwin CM , Berger A , Chasens ER , Edmonson JC , Gobel BH , Landis CA , Patrician PA , Redeker NS , Scott LD , Todero C , Trinkoff A , Tucker S . Nurs Outlook 2019 67 (5) 615-619 Society needs critical nursing services around the clock and, as a result, nurses often work shift work and long work hours (SWLWH). These hours can prevent nurses from getting the seven or more hours of quality sleep each day that experts recommend (Watson, et al., 2015). Nurses on SWLWH are at risk for cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal and psychological disorders, cancer, type 2 diabetes, injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, all-cause mortality, adverse reproductive outcomes, and difficulty managing chronic diseases (Caruso, et al., 2017; Caruso & Waters, 2008; Gan, et al. 2015; Gu, et al., 2015; DHHS, 2018; IARC Monographs Vol 124 Group, 2019; NIOSH, et al., 2015; Ramin, et al., 2014; Torquati, et al., 2017). Furthermore, tired nurses are at risk for making patient care errors and drowsy driving crashes (Bae & Fabry, 2014; Ftouni, et al., 2013; Geiger-Brown, et al., 2012; Geiger-Brown & Trinkoff, 2010; Lee, et al., 2016; Trinkoff, et al., 2011). The presence of SWLWH is also related to retention issues, including nurses expressing intention-to-leave or quitting the job (Hayes, et al., 2012; Moloney, et al., 2018). These conditions also have contributed to nursing shortages in certain specialties and practice locations (Marć, et al., 2018 ). Shortages are a grave concern, as the population is aging and the need for nurses is projected to strongly increase (Auerbach, Buerhaus, & Staiger, 2017). Thus, interventions to reduce nursing fatigue are sorely needed. The American Academy of Nursing (the Academy) supports efforts to reduce fatigue in nurses through education, workplace policies and management systems, and fatigue countermeasures. The Academy recommends that healthcare services and standard-setting organizations establish policies to address this pervasive workplace hazard, thereby promoting nurses’ health and safety along with patient and public safety. |
Workplace interventions to promote sleep health and an alert, healthy workforce
Redeker NS , Caruso CC , Hashmi SD , Mullington JM , Grandner M , Morgenthaler TI . J Clin Sleep Med 2019 15 (4) 649-657 STUDY OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this review is to synthesize the published literature that addresses employer-initiated interventions to improve the sleep of workers and in turn improve health, productivity, absenteeism, and other outcomes that have been associated with sleep disorders or sleep deficiency. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search and a selective narrative review of publications in PubMed from 1966 to December 2017. We extracted study characteristics, including the workers' professions, workplace settings and shift work, and workplace interventions focused on worker sleep. Because of the high degree of heterogeneity in design and outcomes, we conducted a narrative review. RESULTS: We identified 219 publications. After restriction to publications with studies of workplace interventions that evaluated the outcomes of sleep duration or quality, we focused on 47 articles. An additional 13 articles were accepted in the pearling process. Most studies employed non-randomized or controlled pretest and posttest designs and self-reported measures of sleep. The most common workplace interventions were educational programs stressing sleep hygiene or fatigue management. Other interventions included timed napping before or after work, urging increased daytime activity levels, modifying workplace environmental characteristics such as lighting, and screening, and referral for sleep disorders treatment. Overall, most reports indicated that employer efforts to encourage improved sleep hygiene and healthier habits result in improvements in sleep duration, sleep quality, and self-reported sleepiness complaints. CONCLUSIONS: These studies suggest employer-sponsored efforts can improve sleep and sleep-related outcomes. The existing evidence, although weak, suggests efforts by employers to encourage better sleep habits and general fitness result in self-reported improvements in sleep-related outcomes, and may be associated with reduced absenteeism and better overall quality of life. Candidate workplace strategies to promote sleep health are provided. |
Position statement: Reducing fatigue associated with sleep deficiency and work hours in nurses
Caruso CC , Baldwin CM , Berger A , Chasens ER , Landis C , Redeker NS , Scott LD , Trinkoff A . Nurs Outlook 2017 65 (6) 766-768 The American Academy of Nursing promotes management practices in health care organizations and | strategies in the nurse’s personal life to support sleep | health in nurses and, as a result, an alert nursing | workforce fit to perform their jobs and more able to live | healthy lives. Society requires critical nursing services | around the clock. Consequently, shift work and long | work hours are common in health care organizations | and negatively affect a significant percent of nurses. | Working at night and irregular hours compromise | human physiology dictated by the need for sleep and | circadian rhythms. The challenge that nurses on shift | work face is the need to work at night (when our | physiology promotes sleep) and sleep during the day | (when our physiology promotes activity). When shift | work combines with long work hours (e.g., shifts of | 12 hr or more) and leads to sleep deficiency or disruption to circadian rhythms, the health and safety costs | of this conflict with human physiology are potentially | significant. Sleep deficiency is a broad term that includes inadequate sleep duration, poor sleep quality, | untreated sleep disorders, and mistimed sleep that is | not synchronized with circadian rhythms. Sleep deficiency can affect nurses’ work readiness and health, | safety, and well-being. Evidence is building that long | shifts, shift rotations, double shifts, evening, and night | shifts are associated with multiple short- and longterm health and safety risks to the nurse (National | Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH]; | NIOSH, Caruso, Geiger-Brown, Takahashi, Trinkoff, & | Nakata, 2015). Tired nurses are also at risk for making | fatigue-related patient care errors that can endanger | their patients (Bae & Fabry, 2014). These risks also | extend to the nurse’s family, their employer/health | care organization, and the broader society when tired | nurses make errors at work and home or crash their vehicle due to drowsy driving. This complex hazard | requires a variety of personal, workplace, and public | health strategies to reduce these risks. Unfortunately, | persons working in health care organizations may not | fully understand the health and safety risks that are | associated with fatigue and may be unaware of | evidence-based strategies to reduce these risks. Yet | evidence shows that it is possible to limit or modify the | adverse impact of shift work and long work hours on | nurses by improving their sleep and reducing fatigue. |
Health consequences of electric lighting practices in the modern world: A report on the National Toxicology Program's workshop on shift work at night, artificial light at night, and circadian disruption
Lunn RM , Blask DE , Coogan AN , Figueiro MG , Gorman MR , Hall JE , Hansen J , Nelson RJ , Panda S , Smolensky MH , Stevens RG , Turek FW , Vermeulen R , Carreon T , Caruso CC , Lawson CC , Thayer KA , Twery MJ , Ewens AD , Garner SC , Schwingl PJ , Boyd WA . Sci Total Environ 2017 607-608 1073-1084 The invention of electric light has facilitated a society in which people work, sleep, eat, and play at all hours of the 24-hour day. Although electric light clearly has benefited humankind, exposures to electric light, especially light at night (LAN), may disrupt sleep and biological processes controlled by endogenous circadian clocks, potentially resulting in adverse health outcomes. Many of the studies evaluating adverse health effects have been conducted among night- and rotating-shift workers, because this scenario gives rise to significant exposure to LAN. Because of the complexity of this topic, the National Toxicology Program convened an expert panel at a public workshop entitled "Shift Work at Night, Artificial Light at Night, and Circadian Disruption" to obtain input on conducting literature-based health hazard assessments and to identify data gaps and research needs. The Panel suggested describing light both as a direct effector of endogenous circadian clocks and rhythms and as an enabler of additional activities or behaviors that may lead to circadian disruption, such as night-shift work and atypical and inconsistent sleep-wake patterns that can lead to social jet lag. Future studies should more comprehensively characterize and measure the relevant light-related exposures and link these exposures to both time-independent biomarkers of circadian disruption and biomarkers of adverse health outcomes. This information should lead to improvements in human epidemiological and animal or in vitro models, more rigorous health hazard assessments, and intervention strategies to minimize the occurrence of adverse health outcomes due to these exposures. |
Development of neurologic diseases in a patient with primate T lymphotropic virus type 1 (PTLV-1).
Enose-Akahata Y , Caruso B , Haner B , Charlip E , Nair G , Massoud R , Billioux BJ , Ohayon J , Switzer WM , Jacobson S . Retrovirology 2016 13 (1) 56 BACKGROUND: Virus transmission from various wild and domestic animals contributes to an increased risk of emerging infectious diseases in human populations. HTLV-1 is a human retrovirus associated with acute T-cell leukemia and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). HTLV-1 originated from ancient zoonotic transmission from nonhuman primates, although cases of zoonotic infections continue to occur. Similar to HTLV-1, the simian counterpart, STLV-1, causes chronic infection and leukemia and lymphoma in naturally infected monkeys, and combined are called primate T-lymphotropic viruses (PTLV-1). However, other clinical syndromes typically seen in humans such as a chronic progressive myelopathy have not been observed in nonhuman primates. Little is known about the development of neurologic and inflammatory diseases in human populations infected with STLV-1-like viruses following nonhuman primate exposure. RESULTS: We performed detailed laboratory analyses on an HTLV-1 seropositive patient with typical HAM/TSP who was born in Liberia and now resides in the United States. Using a novel droplet digital PCR for the detection of the HTLV-1 tax gene, the proviral load in PBMC and cerebrospinal fluid cells was 12.98 and 51.68 %, respectively; however, we observed a distinct difference in fluorescence amplitude of the positive droplet population suggesting possible mutations in proviral DNA. A complete PTLV-1 proviral genome was amplified from the patient's PBMC DNA using an overlapping PCR strategy. Phylogenetic analysis of the envelope and LTR sequences showed the virus was highly related to PTLV-1 from sooty mangabey monkeys (smm) and humans exposed via nonhuman primates in West Africa. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the patient is infected with a simian variant of PTLV-1, suggesting for the first time that PTLV-1smm infection in humans may be associated with a chronic progressive neurologic disease. |
Developing a reference system for the IFCC standardization of HbA
Paleari R , Caruso D , Kaiser P , Arsene CG , Schaeffer-Reiss C , Van Dorsselaer A , Bisse E , Ospina M , De Jesus VR , Wild B , Mosca A . Clin Chim Acta 2016 467 21-26 The importance of hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) as an indicator of the presence of beta-thalassemia was established many years ago. However, clinical application of recommended HbA2 cut off values is often hampered due to poor equivalence of HbA2 results among methods and laboratories. Thus, the IFCC Standardization program for HbA2 was initiated in 2004 with the goal of achieving a complete reference system for this measurand. HbA2 standardization efforts are still in progress, including the development of a higher-order HbA2 reference measurement procedure and the preparation of a certified reference material in collaboration with the IRMM. Here, we review the past, present and future of HbA2 standardization and describe the current status of HbA2 testing. |
Reducing risks to women linked to shift work, long work hours, and related workplace sleep and fatigue issues
Caruso CC . J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2015 24 (10) 789-94 In the United States, an estimated 12% to 28% of working women are on shift work schedules, and 12% work more than 48 hours per week. Shift work and long work hours are associated with many health and safety risks, including obesity, injuries, and negative reproductive outcomes. Over time, the worker is at risk for developing a wide range of chronic diseases. These work schedules can also strain personal relationships, owing to fatigue and poor mood from sleep deprivation and reduced quality time to spend with family and friends. Worker errors from fatigue can lead to reduced quality of goods and services, negatively impacting the employer. In addition, mistakes by fatigued workers can have far-reaching negative effects on the community, ranging from medical care errors to motor vehicle crashes and industrial disasters that endanger others. To reduce the many risks that are linked to these demanding work hours, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research, develops guidance and authoritative recommendations, and translates and disseminates scientific information to protect workers, their families, employers, and the community. The key message to reduce these risks is making sleep a priority in the employer's systems for organizing work and in the worker's personal life. The NIOSH website has freely available online training programs with suggestions for workers and their managers to help them better cope with this workplace hazard. |
Urinary phthalate metabolite associations with biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress across pregnancy in Puerto Rico
Ferguson KK , Cantonwine DE , Rivera-Gonzalez LO , Loch-Caruso R , Mukherjee B , Anzalota Del Toro LV , Jimenez-Velez B , Calafat AM , Ye X , Alshawabkeh AN , Cordero JF , Meeker JD . Environ Sci Technol 2014 48 (12) 7018-25 Phthalate exposure during pregnancy has been linked to adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth, and inflammation and oxidative stress may mediate these relationships. In a prospective cohort study of pregnant women recruited early in gestation in Northern Puerto Rico, we investigated the associations between urinary phthalate metabolites and biomarkers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha, and oxidative stress, including 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (OHdG) and 8-isoprostane. Inflammation biomarkers were measured in plasma twice during pregnancy (N = 215 measurements, N = 120 subjects), and oxidative stress biomarkers in urine were measured three times (N = 148 measurements, N = 54 subjects) per woman. In adjusted linear mixed models, metabolites of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) were associated with increased IL-6 and IL-10 but relationships were generally not statistically significant. All phthalates were associated with increases in oxidative stress markers. Relationships with OHdG were significant for DEHP metabolites as well as mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) and monoiso-butyl phthalate (MiBP). For 8-isoprostane, associations with nearly all phthalates were statistically significant and the largest effect estimates were observed for MBP and MiBP (49-50% increase in 8-isoprostane with an interquartile range increase in metabolite concentration). These relationships suggest a possible mechanism for phthalate action that may be relevant to a number of adverse health outcomes. |
Negative impacts of shiftwork and long work hours
Caruso CC . Rehabil Nurs 2013 39 (1) 16-25 PURPOSE: Healthcare organizations often have to provide patient care around the clock. Shift work (any shift outside of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m) and long work hours increase the risk for short sleep duration and sleep disturbances. Thirty-two percent of healthcare workers report they do not get enough sleep. The purpose of the article is to give an overview of the wide range of risks to nurses, patients, and employers that are linked to shift work, long work hours, and poor sleep from other sources. FINDINGS: Shift work and long work hours increase the risk for reduced performance on the job, obesity, injuries, and a wide range of chronic diseases. In addition, fatigue-related errors could harm patients. Fatigued nurses also endanger others during their commute to and from work. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The key strategy to reduce these risks is making sleep a priority in the employer's systems for organizing work and in the nurse's personal life. |
Better sleep: antidote to on-the-job fatigue
Caruso CC . Am Nurse Today 2012 7 (5) 38-39 Getting enough good-quality sleep each day is important not just for nurses’ personal health and safety but for patient safety, too. Like the basic need to eat and drink, the need to sleep is critical for maintaining life and health-and for working safely. Sleeping 7 to 8 hours per night is linked to a wide range of better health and safety outcomes. Long work hours and shift work, in contrast, are tied to sleep disturbances and health and safety risks for nurses, including declines in mental function and physical ability, reduction in immunologic function, and higher rates of depression, injury, heart disease, GI disorders, mood disturbances, and cancer. Multiple studies have found that performance in a person who has been awake for 17 hours or more resembles that of someone with alcohol intoxication. | Negative effects of fatigue extend to employers, who lose an estimated $2,000 to $10,000 per employee annually from reduced productivity, increased errors, absenteeism, lack of full functioning at work, increased healthcare and worker compensation costs, and worker turnover due to disability, death, or resigning to take jobs with less demanding schedules. Risks extend to the community, as when a tired nurse makes a patient-care error or has a motor vehicle accident while commuting. | Obviously, sleep deprivation can have serious and even fatal consequences. Nurses, managers, and employers all share in the responsibility to reduce risks connected with fatigue. A 2010 study found the percentage of American healthcare workers who reported 6 or fewer hours of sleep per day (too little, according to sleep experts) increased from 28% in the mid-1980s to 32% in the mid-2000s. So it’s likely that a growing number of nurses aren’t getting enough sleep. |
Strategies for nurses to prevent sleep-related injuries and errors
Caruso CC , Hitchcock EM . Rehabil Nurs 2010 35 (5) 192-197 Rehabilitation nurses work shift schedules or long hours to provide essential patient services around the clock. These demanding hours can lead to sleep difficulties, declines in performance, and increased worker errors. This article gives an overview of selected declines in cognitive performance that are associated with inadequate sleep and several factors that increase risk for fatigue-related errors. Selected strategies for nurses and managers to reduce these risks are discussed, such as better sleep practices, improved work schedule design, naps, caffeine, exposure to light, and rest breaks. Both nurses and managers share responsibility for implementing strategies to reduce risks from inadequate sleep. |
Nurses, smoking, and immunity: a review
Nakata A , Swanson NG , Caruso CC . Rehabil Nurs 2010 35 (5) 198-205 Nurses regularly are exposed to a variety of occupational hazards. In addition to documented occupational hazards, exposure to smoking remains a major concern. This article reviews the prevalence of smoking among nurses working in the United States and discusses their reasons for smoking. Researchers conducted a state-of-the-art review on the effects of cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke (Si-IS) on the immune system. Smoking prevalence among nurses working in the United States ranged from 7%-12%, and high work stress, poor work environment, shift work, and peer influence were suspected major risk factors influencing smoking behavior. A review of the effects of smoking on immunity revealed that both active smoking and exposure to SHS negatively affects immune function. When rehabilitation nurses stop smoking, their health improves and nonsmokers are exposed to less SHS. Rehabilitation nurses are encouraged to share knowledge of the immunological benefits of smoking cessation with patients to facilitate nurse-led rehabilitation programs. |
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