OBJECTIVES: to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among exposed HCWs after preventive protocol implementation. METHODS: 5750 HCWs. Those in contact with COVID-19 patients were allocated into a highrisk or a low-risk group based on contact type (PPE- or non-PPE-protected); high risk workers underwent nasopharyngeal swab tests, while for low-risk workers swab tests were carried out only for symptomatic workers (active surveillance). The prevalence was determined by real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal samples. RESULTS: 3570 HCWs had contact with 1065 COVID-19 patients. Among them, 3494 were subjected to active surveillance (low-risk group); 2886 (82.60%) were subjected to a swab test and 15 were positive (0.52%). 76 HCWs (2.13% of exposed) were included in the high-risk group, and a swab test was mandatory for each participant. Overall, 66 (86.84% of high-risk) were negative, and 10 positive (13.16%), resulting in a higher risk of infection than in the low-risk group [OR= 29.00; 95% CI:12.56-66.94; p<0.0001]. CONCLUSION: To date, the SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence is 0.70% among exposed HCWs and 0.435% among all HCWs working at the examined university hospital. The correct use of PPE and the early identification of symptomatic workers are essential factors to avoiding nosocomial clusters.
COVID-19 hospital outbreaks: Protecting healthcare workers to protect frail patients. An Italian observational cohort study
Vimercati, Luigi;De Maria, Luigi;Caputi, Antonio;Stefanizzi, Pasquale;Gesualdo, Loreto;Cavone, Domenica;Delfino, Maria Celeste;Sponselli, Stefania;Chironna, Maria;Tafuri, Silvio
2020-01-01
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among exposed HCWs after preventive protocol implementation. METHODS: 5750 HCWs. Those in contact with COVID-19 patients were allocated into a highrisk or a low-risk group based on contact type (PPE- or non-PPE-protected); high risk workers underwent nasopharyngeal swab tests, while for low-risk workers swab tests were carried out only for symptomatic workers (active surveillance). The prevalence was determined by real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal samples. RESULTS: 3570 HCWs had contact with 1065 COVID-19 patients. Among them, 3494 were subjected to active surveillance (low-risk group); 2886 (82.60%) were subjected to a swab test and 15 were positive (0.52%). 76 HCWs (2.13% of exposed) were included in the high-risk group, and a swab test was mandatory for each participant. Overall, 66 (86.84% of high-risk) were negative, and 10 positive (13.16%), resulting in a higher risk of infection than in the low-risk group [OR= 29.00; 95% CI:12.56-66.94; p<0.0001]. CONCLUSION: To date, the SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence is 0.70% among exposed HCWs and 0.435% among all HCWs working at the examined university hospital. The correct use of PPE and the early identification of symptomatic workers are essential factors to avoiding nosocomial clusters.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.