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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
. 2021 May 12;1-14.
doi: 10.1017/ice.2021.219. Online ahead of print.
Evaluation of Healthcare Personnel Exposures to Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Associated with Personal Protective Equipment Use
Vishal P Shah 1 , Laura E Breeher 1 2 , Caitlin M Hainy 2 , Melanie D Swift 1 2
Affiliations
- PMID: 33975656
- DOI: 10.1017/ice.2021.219
Abstract
Objective: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a critical aspect of preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare settings. We aimed to identify factors related to lapses in PPE usage that may influence transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from patients to healthcare personnel (HCP).
Design: Retrospective cohort study.
Setting: Tertiary care medical center in Minnesota.
Participants: A total of 345 HCP that sustained a significant occupational exposure to a patient with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from May 13th, 2020 through November 30th, 2020 were evaluated.
Results: Eight HCP (2.3%) were found to have SARS-CoV-2 infection during their 14-day post-exposure quarantine. A lack of eye protection during the care of a patient with COVID-19 was associated with HCP testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR during the post-exposure quarantine (RR 10.25 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.28-82.39), p=.009). Overall, the most common reason for a significant exposure was the usage of a surgical facemask instead of a respirator during an aerosolizing generating procedure (AGP) (55.9%). However, this was not associated with HCP testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the post-exposure quarantine (RR 0.99 (95% CI 0.96-1), p=1). Notably, transmission primarily occurred in units that did not regularly care for patients with COVID-19.
Conclusions: The use of universal eye protection is a critical aspect of PPE to prevent patient to HCP transmission of SARS-CoV-2.