Introduction:

In addition to the consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in renal patients, maintaining dialysis activity during the pandemic has been a significant challenge due to staff shortages resulting from illness-related absences.

Objetives:

To analyze the incidence of COVID-19 infections among hemodialysis professionals, their characteristics, and their impact on work absences during different waves of the pandemic.

Material and Method:

Longitudinal observational study conducted from March 3, 2020, to April 23, 2022 (776 days), involving an average of 406 healthcare and non-healthcare professionals from 18 dialysis units and two administrative support units of the Renal Foundation. Data collection was carried out through communication from various supervisors to the human resources department.

Results:

During the study period, 179 professionals out of an average of 406 (44.1%) became infected. Among these, 52% were nurses, 25% were nursing assistants, 11% were nephrologists, and 12% were other professionals. 40.2% of cases exhibited symptoms. A total of 160 infected individuals were absent from work due to illness (89.3%), with an average duration of 15.9 ± 14.3 days. In 71.6% of cases, close contacts were identified outside the dialysis units, and this contact identification increased with each wave of the pandemic, rising from 6.7% in the 1st wave to 40% in the 6th wave (p=0.016).

Conclusions:

The symptoms have generally been mild, with absences from work lasting at least two weeks. Close contacts were mainly identified within the community, and there were no recorded infections transmitted through renal patients in the units.