A Universal Screening Strategy for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Intensive Care Units: Korean Experience in a Single Hospital
- Author:
Euijin CHANG
1
;
Jae-Sung CHOI
;
Tae Yun PARK
;
Seung Bin K KIM
;
Suhui KO
;
Yang Sun KWON
;
Eun Jin KIM
;
Hyunju SONG
;
Hwa Kyung NOH
;
Sang-Won PARK
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Infection and Chemotherapy 2020;52(3):352-359
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is not differentiated clinically from other respiratory infections, and intensive care units (ICUs) are vulnerable to in-hospital transmission due to interventions inducing respiratory aerosols.This study evaluated the effectiveness of universal SARS-CoV-2 screening in ICUs in terms of screened-out cases and reduction in anxiety of healthcare personnel (HCP).Materials and
Methods:This prospective single-armed observational study was conducted in 2 ICUs of a single hospital. The number of patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection by the screening program and healthcare workers in ICUs that visited the SARS-CoV-2 screening clinic or infection clinic were investigated.
Results:During the 7-week study period, no positive screening case was reported among a total of 142 patients. Among 86 HCP in the ICUs, only 2 HCP sought medical consultation for SARS-CoV-2 infection during the initial 2 weeks.
Conclusion:A universal screening program for SARS-CoV-2 infection in ICUs with the coordination of other countermeasures in the hospital was reasonably effective in preventing in-hospital transmission in a pandemic situation and making clinical practices and HCP stable.
