This is a prospective observational cohort study of healthcare workers working in high-risk COVID-19 clinical areas, monitoring heart rate, sleep and temperature, correlating with daily self-reported symptoms, oxygen saturations and PCR Swabs. It will provide information about how many healthcare workers develop COVID-19, what their clinical observations and symptoms are.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, doctors and other healthcare workers who work in COVID+ wards,
intensive care unit and the accident and emergency department are at high risk of developing
COVID-19 infection.
In April 2020, 14.6% of doctors were off sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
Meanwhile, 17.9% of COVID+ patients are thought to be asymptomatic. Therefore, healthcare
workers are also high-risk of spreading infection to patients, colleagues and their families.
This is a prospective observational cohort study that leverages wearable medical device
technology and data analytics to develop an algorithm for early detection of COVID-19
infection in healthcare workers.
A total of 60 healthy healthcare workers working within high-risk COVID-19 clinical areas
will be asked to wear a wearable medical device that measures their heart rate, skin
temperature and sleep during non-working hours. They will take daily swabs for COVID-19 from
themselves, measure their oxygen levels daily, and answer a survey of self-reported symptoms
daily for the 30 day study period.
These will then be analyzed to develop an algorithm for early detection of COVID-19 in
healthcare workers, and help to inform future workforce decisions, to promote welfare and
prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Device: Wearable Medical Device (Empatica E4)
A wearable medical device (Empatica E4) which is a smart wristband that detects skin temperature, heart rate and sleep. It is CE and FDA approved.
Diagnostic Test: COVID-19 PCR Swab
COVID-19 PCR Swab will be self-taken by doctors every day. Fischer nasopharyngeal PCR Swabs
Diagnostic Test: Pulse Oximeter
Participants will measure their oxygen saturations every day, and report them on the survey. Pulmolink A310 pulse oximeters
Inclusion Criteria
- Healthy healthcare professionals of any age
Exclusion Criteria
- Previous PCR/Antibody positive test for COVID-19
- Not working in high-risk COVID-19 area (ICU, A&E, COVID positive wards)
- Involved in COVID-19 Vaccine Trial
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom
Investigator: Kariem El-Boghdadly
kariem.elboghdadly@gstt.nhs.uk
Kariem El-Boghdadly, FRCA
020 7188 7188
kariem.elboghdadly@gstt.nhs.uk
Alexander Zargaran, MBBS, BSc
020 7188 7188
alexander.zargaran@kcl.ac.uk