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Environmental contamination in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) intensive care unit—What is the risk?

Environmental contamination in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) intensive care unit—What is the risk?

Authors :
Ching Ging Ng
Yian Kim Tan
Benjamin Choon Heng Ho
Boon Huan Tan
Michelle Su Yen Wong
Pei Hua Lee
Kalisvar Marimuthu
Dong Ling Wang
Li Min Ling
Yee Sin Leo
Oon Tek Ng
Sean Wei Xiang Ong
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine)
National Center for Infectious Diseases
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
National University of Singapore
Source :
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
Cambridge University Press, 2020.

Abstract

Background:The risk of environmental contamination by severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is unclear. We evaluated the extent of environmental contamination in the ICU and correlated this with patient and disease factors, including the impact of different ventilatory modalities.Methods:In this observational study, surface environmental samples collected from ICU patient rooms and common areas were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Select samples from the common area were tested by cell culture. Clinical data were collected and correlated to the presence of environmental contamination. Results were compared to historical data from a previous study in general wards.Results:In total, 200 samples from 20 patient rooms and 75 samples from common areas and the staff pantry were tested. The results showed that 14 rooms had at least 1 site contaminated, with an overall contamination rate of 14% (28 of 200 samples). Environmental contamination was not associated with day of illness, ventilatory mode, aerosol-generating procedures, or viral load. The frequency of environmental contamination was lower in the ICU than in general ward rooms. Eight samples from the common area were positive, though all were negative on cell culture.Conclusion:Environmental contamination in the ICU was lower than in the general wards. The use of mechanical ventilation or high-flow nasal oxygen was not associated with greater surface contamination, supporting their use and safety from an infection control perspective. Transmission risk via environmental surfaces in the ICUs is likely to be low. Nonetheless, infection control practices should be strictly reinforced, and transmission risk via droplet or airborne spread remains.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
15596834 and 0899823X
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....cc860d7e705c442900c78d2bd23f7c2f