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Impact of In-Hospital infection with SARS-CoV-2 among Inpatients at a university hospital
Josni Tauffer1, Thais Claudia Roma de Oliveira Konstantyner2, Maria Claudia Stockler de Almeida1
1Infectious Diseases Division, Infection Control Committee, Hospital São Paulo, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of nosocomial infection and the impact of cross-transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among inpatients at a tertiary care teaching hospital.
Methods:
This was a retrospective cohort study involving inpatients admitted to a tertiary university hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, between March 2020 and February 2021. Cases were identified on the basis of a positive reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction result for SARS-CoV-2 and the review of electronic medical records. Nosocomial transmission was defined by applying the criteria established by the Brazilian National Health Regulatory Agency.
Results:
We identified 2146 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, 185 (8.6%) of which were considered cases of nosocomial transmission. The mean age was 58.3 years. The incidence density was 1.78 cases per 1,000 patient-days on the general wards, being highest on the cardiac surgery ward, and only 0.16 per 1,000 patient-days on the COVID-19 wards. Of the 185 patients evaluated, 115 (62.2%) were men, 150 (81.1%) cases had at least one comorbidity, and 104 (56.2%) evolved to death.
Conclusions:
Despite the preventive measures taken, nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurred throughout our hospital. Such measures should be intensified when the incidence of community transmission peaks.
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