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SESSION TITLE: Chest Infections Posters SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON: October 18-21, 2020 PURPOSE: The covid19 crisis has rapidly become the most significant public health crisis of our times It has particularly impacted healthcare workers (HCW) due to overwhelming of healthcare resources, as well as a critical absence of protective equipment and risk to their own health as well as risk of exposure to their family All these factors have likely resulted in significant levels of stress and anxiety The purpose of this study was to study the prevalence and severity of covid19 associated anxiety and stress in healthcare workers in the US during the period of the Covid19 pandemic METHODS: We created a covid19 anxiety and stress survey (CASS) by combining 2 abbreviated instruments – the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) and the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety PHQ-4 We distributed the CASS survery in electronic format during the month of March/April at the peak of the covid19 pandemic, both directly, as well as through use of social media We invited all HCW including nurses (RN) physicians (MD) medical and nursing assistants (MA, CNA) and respiratory therapists (RT) We also collected limited information about age, gender, ethnicity and location RESULTS: A total of 313 (53Male;260 Female) HCW completed the questionnaire - 166 RNs, 95 MDs, 15 CNA/MA, & 16 RTs Age distribution – 130 between 20-40, & 166 41-60 151 (48 2%) had an elevated stress level (PSS-4 of >8) Both MD and RN had similar levels of high stress 175 HCW (55 9%) screened positive for a mood disorder depression/anxiety based on PSQ4 of >4 When we examined the subscales we found 133(42 4%) had anxiety (PSQ-2 for anxiety of >3) whereas only 89 (28 4%) had depression (PSQ-2 for depression >3) Both MD and RN had similar levels of high stress Age did not have a influence but a significance gender influence in both PSS and PSQ was seen – male gender representation was 10% of HCW for high stress vs 24% in normal stress and 9% for anxiety/depression vs 20 8% respectively (p <0 05) There was a strong correlation between PSS and PSQ scores (r = 0 70) There was no significant differences between MD and RN in stress or anxiety scales CONCLUSIONS: The Covid19 pandemic has resulted in an extremely high level of stress and mental health morbidity Over half of healthcare workers had significant anxiety and depression and nearly 50% had high levels of perception of stress, regardless of age This was especially more pronounced in female gender for both stress as well as anxiety CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Specific screening measures and interventions to improve mental health of HCW is urgently warranted with a particular focus on womens health due to the covid19 pandemic DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Akshar Aiyer, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Mohammed Ali, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Shaleen Sunesara, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Salim Surani, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Joseph Varon, source=Web Response
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