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Nosocomial COVID-19: experience from a large acute NHS Trust in South-West London

J Taylor1, J Rangaiah2, S Narasimhan2

  • 1Public Health England, London, UK.

The Journal of Hospital Infection
|August 26, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Healthcare settings face risks from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission, impacting patients and staff. This study examines potential hospital-acquired COVID-19 infections and their burden.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Healthcare Management

Background:

  • Healthcare settings are critical points for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission, posing risks to patients and healthcare workers.
  • Early COVID-19 diagnosis was challenging in the UK due to strict testing criteria, with ongoing risks from asymptomatic/pre-symptomatic cases and laboratory testing limitations.
  • Nosocomial infections represent a significant burden on healthcare systems, particularly during pandemics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate a potential case of hospital-acquired COVID-19 (nosocomial transmission) at a major NHS Trust.
  • To describe the burden of nosocomial infections within the context of the initial COVID-19 outbreak.
  • To highlight the challenges in diagnosing and managing COVID-19 in healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

  • Case study analysis of the first identified COVID-19 case within a large acute NHS Trust.
  • Review of infection control protocols and transmission pathways.
  • Assessment of the prevalence and impact of nosocomial infections.

Main Results:

  • A potential instance of nosocomial transmission of COVID-19 was identified.
  • The study details the challenges associated with diagnosing COVID-19 in a hospital environment.
  • The prevailing burden of nosocomial infections was documented.

Conclusions:

  • Healthcare-associated COVID-19 transmission is a serious concern with significant implications.
  • Effective diagnostic strategies and robust infection control measures are crucial in mitigating nosocomial spread.
  • Understanding the burden of nosocomial infections is vital for resource allocation and patient safety.

Keywords:
COVID-19Healthcare-associated infectionInfection controlNosocomial transmissionOutbreak investigationSARS-CoV-2

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