Table 3 Example responses regarding special measures taken at workplace in response to the COVID-19 outbreak

Personal protective equipment (PPE) (63%)

“Everyone in hospital must wear a mask, to avoid transmission to each other, as social distancing doesn't work when you work together to take care of patients.”

Restrictions (48%)

“The hospital has placed strict restrictions on who is allowed to come onto the premises. No visitation is allowed and no trainees/unnecessary personal are allowed either.”

Structural changes (19%)

“We have dedicated certain spaces to covid/covid rule out patients. Covid/covid rule out

patients are triaged in a specific area and the sent to a designated area to be treated (unless there is overflow). We have HEPA filters in rooms that are not negative pressure for patients who are receiving aerosolizing procedures. Inpatient floors have been converted into ICUs to take over flow.”

Care delivery and communication (18%)

“We are only seeing patients through telehealth and ordering cardiology tests (stress echo, ct angiograms) based on urgency.”

Staffing changes (15%)

“Patient ratios have increased. Step-down nurses are now taking 5 patients (previously 3 or

4) and ICU nurses are always taking 2 (previously 1 or 2), although we've been told those ratios may increase further.”

New policies (6%)

“There has been no neb or CPAP/BiPAP and patients are left with the decision to be intubated or risk death due to respiratory compromise with littler interventions. Conversations have occurred about allocation of resources and potential termination of mechanical ventilation of patients to transfer vent to other patient if situation becomes. It’s critical.”

Additional support (3%)

“Fear of healthcare professionals bringing the virus into their own households. To prevent this, the hospital has worked with hotels to provide people with certain circumstances the ability to stay at the hotel for free or discounted prices.”