HONOLULU –The Queen’s Health Systems has launched an 18-month study in an effort to better understand the rate of COVID-19 infection among its employees. Participation in the Queen’s Antibody to SARS-CoV-2 (QUASAR) Study is voluntary and is being offered to all QHS staff and physicians.
All participants will complete a baseline, six-month, 12-month, and 18-month survey which will gather demographic and health status data. In addition, a baseline, six-month, and 12-month antibody blood test will be conducted. Individual test results will be shared with participants.
“The data from the QUASAR Study will give us some insight into the rate of exposure in our employees over a period of time compared to the rest of the community. In addition, for our caregivers on the front lines, the data will also show how well the safety measures we have taken to keep them safe are working,” said Dr. Todd Seto, principal investigator of the study and Director of Academic Affairs and Research at The Queen’s Medical Center. “Without data from our hospitals, we can’t learn and make improvements. We are an organization that continually improves itself based on science.”
“Our overriding concern will always be the health and well-being of our caregivers and patients. We are making every effort to keep them safe. The data from this study will help us better understand the health status of our workforce so we can take appropriate action to address any safety and staffing needs. We want the measures we take to be backed by the latest scientific research,” said Jill Hoggard Green, QHS President and Chief Executive Officer.
QHS is the state’s largest private employer with more than 7,000 employees and more than 1,500 affiliated physicians and providers in its statewide network of clinics and four hospitals which includes:
- The Queen’s Medical Center – Punchbowl
- The Queen’s Medical Center – West Oʻahu
- Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital
- Molokai General Hospital
- The Queen’s Health Care Centers
- Diagnostic Laboratory Services
It is anticipated that 3,000 to 5,000 employees will take part in the study at no charge to employees.
Diagnostic Laboratory Services will be conducting the antibody tests.
