INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze a nosocomial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak that occurred on a polyvalent non-COVID-19 ward at a tertiary care university hospital in Spain during the first wave of the pandemic and to describe the containment measures taken. The outbreak affected healthcare workers (HCWs) and kidney disease patients including transplant patients and those requiring maintenance hemodialysis. METHODS: The outbreak investigation and report were conducted in accordance with the Orion statement guidelines. RESULTS: In this study, 15 cases of COVID-19 affecting 10 patients and 5 HCWs were identified on a ward with 31 beds and 43 HCWs. The patients had tested negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection on admission. One of the HCWs was identified as the probable index case. Five patients died (mortality rate, 50%). They were all elderly and had significant comorbidities. The infection control measures taken included the transfer of infected patients to COVID-19 isolation wards, implementation of universal preventive measures, weekly PCR testing of patients and HCWs linked to the ward, training of HCWs on infection control and prevention measures, and enhancement of cleaning and disinfection. The outbreak was contained in 2 weeks, and no new cases occurred. CONCLUSION: Nosocomial COVID-19 outbreaks can have high attack rates involving both patients and HCWs and carry a high risk of patient mortality. Hospitals need to implement effective infection prevention and control strategies to prevent nosocomial COVID-19 spread.
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze a nosocomial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak that occurred on a polyvalent non-COVID-19 ward at a tertiary care university hospital in Spain during the first wave of the pandemic and to describe the containment measures taken. The outbreak affected healthcare workers (HCWs) and kidney diseasepatients including transplant patients and those requiring maintenance hemodialysis. METHODS: The outbreak investigation and report were conducted in accordance with the Orion statement guidelines. RESULTS: In this study, 15 cases of COVID-19 affecting 10 patients and 5 HCWs were identified on a ward with 31 beds and 43 HCWs. The patients had tested negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2infection on admission. One of the HCWs was identified as the probable index case. Five patients died (mortality rate, 50%). They were all elderly and had significant comorbidities. The infection control measures taken included the transfer of infectedpatients to COVID-19 isolation wards, implementation of universal preventive measures, weekly PCR testing of patients and HCWs linked to the ward, training of HCWs on infection control and prevention measures, and enhancement of cleaning and disinfection. The outbreak was contained in 2 weeks, and no new cases occurred. CONCLUSION: Nosocomial COVID-19 outbreaks can have high attack rates involving both patients and HCWs and carry a high risk of patientmortality. Hospitals need to implement effective infection prevention and control strategies to prevent nosocomial COVID-19 spread.
Authors: Sean Wei Xiang Ong; Yian Kim Tan; Po Ying Chia; Tau Hong Lee; Oon Tek Ng; Michelle Su Yen Wong; Kalisvar Marimuthu Journal: JAMA Date: 2020-04-28 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Mary E Charlson; Robert E Charlson; Janey C Peterson; Spyridon S Marinopoulos; William M Briggs; James P Hollenberg Journal: J Clin Epidemiol Date: 2008-07-10 Impact factor: 6.437
Authors: Marta Crespo; María J Pérez-Sáez; Dolores Redondo-Pachón; Laura Llinàs-Mallol; María M Montero; Judith Villar-García; Carlos Arias-Cabrales; Anna Buxeda; Carla Burballa; Susana Vázquez; Thais López; Fátima Moreno; Marisa Mir; Sara Outón; Adriana Sierra; Silvia Collado; Clara Barrios; Eva Rodríguez; Laia Sans; Francesc Barbosa; Higini Cao; María D Arenas; Roberto Güerri-Fernández; Juan P Horcajada; Julio Pascual Journal: Am J Transplant Date: 2020-07-06 Impact factor: 9.369