tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Complement Integr Med
. 2021 May 24.
doi: 10.1515/jcim-2020-0422. Online ahead of print.
Preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the emergency department by implementing a separate pathway for patients with respiratory conditions
Fulwah Alqahtani[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Marzouqah Alanazi[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Wajdan Alassaf[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Fadilah Sfouq Aleanizy[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Muna Aljahany[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Mercy Joseph[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Mohammad AlRaye[SUP] 4 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to describe the development and implementation of a separated pathway to check and treat patients with a suspected/confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the emergency department (ED) at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital in Riyadh.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive longitudinal study from March to July 2020 by analyzing data of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 among ED visitors and healthcare workers in King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital.
Results: During the study period, a total of 1,182 swab samples were collected for testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), of which 285 (24.1%) tested positive. Of the 285 cases of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, 18 were healthcare workers and 267 were patients. As a result of using the respiratory pathway for COVID-19 patients, the hospital managed to limit transmission of SARS-CoV-2 not only between patients but also between patients and healthcare workers, while also containing the pandemic. There were no cases of nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection recorded among the patients who visited the ED or the flu clinic. All confirmed cases were community acquired and patients were cared for under constrained measures.
Conclusions: Implementing infection control measures and restricting those with respiratory symptoms to the ED pathway prevented nosocomial spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the ED.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; emergency department; hospital-acquired infection; infection control.
. 2021 May 24.
doi: 10.1515/jcim-2020-0422. Online ahead of print.
Preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the emergency department by implementing a separate pathway for patients with respiratory conditions
Fulwah Alqahtani[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Marzouqah Alanazi[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Wajdan Alassaf[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Fadilah Sfouq Aleanizy[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Muna Aljahany[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Mercy Joseph[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Mohammad AlRaye[SUP] 4 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34022123
- DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2020-0422
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to describe the development and implementation of a separated pathway to check and treat patients with a suspected/confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the emergency department (ED) at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital in Riyadh.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive longitudinal study from March to July 2020 by analyzing data of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 among ED visitors and healthcare workers in King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital.
Results: During the study period, a total of 1,182 swab samples were collected for testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), of which 285 (24.1%) tested positive. Of the 285 cases of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, 18 were healthcare workers and 267 were patients. As a result of using the respiratory pathway for COVID-19 patients, the hospital managed to limit transmission of SARS-CoV-2 not only between patients but also between patients and healthcare workers, while also containing the pandemic. There were no cases of nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection recorded among the patients who visited the ED or the flu clinic. All confirmed cases were community acquired and patients were cared for under constrained measures.
Conclusions: Implementing infection control measures and restricting those with respiratory symptoms to the ED pathway prevented nosocomial spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the ED.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; emergency department; hospital-acquired infection; infection control.