COVID-19 pneumonia: infection control protocol inside computed tomography suites.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology
• Public Health

Background:

• A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in Wuhan, China, causing a global pandemic of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• Computed tomography (CT) imaging plays a vital role in diagnosing and evaluating COVID-19 pneumonia.
• The risk of hospital-related transmission necessitates stringent infection control measures, particularly in imaging departments like CT suites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an experience with infection control protocols specifically designed for CT suites.
• To highlight the importance of infection control in preventing healthcare-associated transmission of COVID-19.
• To provide insights into managing radiological procedures safely during a pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Development and implementation of a comprehensive infection control protocol for CT suites.
• Focus on measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission within the CT environment.
• Experience-based reporting of protocol application.

Main Results:

• The presented protocols aim to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission during CT examinations.
• Effective infection control in CT suites is essential for patient and staff safety.
• Experience suggests that structured protocols can enhance safety in high-risk environments.

Conclusions:

• Infection control protocols are indispensable for safe CT imaging practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Protecting healthcare workers and other patients from SARS-CoV-2 is a priority in CT suites.
• The presented experience underscores the feasibility and importance of specialized infection control in radiology.