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COVID-19 Outbreak in an Urban Hemodialysis Unit
Kevin Yau1, Matthew P Muller1, Molly Lin1
1St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
Summary
Universal screening for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and enhanced precautions effectively controlled a hemodialysis unit outbreak. This approach mitigated further transmission among vulnerable patients and staff.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
- Nephrology
Background:
- Hemodialysis patients face elevated COVID-19 transmission risk due to challenges with physical distancing.
- A COVID-19 outbreak occurred in a hemodialysis unit despite existing symptom-based screening protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the course of a COVID-19 outbreak in a hemodialysis unit.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of infection control measures, including universal screening and precautions, for outbreak mitigation.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single hemodialysis center.
- Universal screening for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR was implemented for 237 patients and 93 staff members.
- Descriptive statistics were used to analyze clinical characteristics and outcomes.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 4.6% of patients and 12% of staff.
- 55% of infected individuals were asymptomatic at testing, and 32% remained asymptomatic throughout follow-up.
- Universal precautions and quarantine measures appeared to prevent further nosocomial transmission.
Conclusions:
- Universal SARS-CoV-2 testing and enhanced droplet and contact precautions were effective in controlling the hemodialysis unit outbreak.
- These measures helped prevent further transmission among hemodialysis patients and staff.
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