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SARS-CoV-2 could be spread through hospital medication dispensed to patients: A prospective observational study
Santiago Grau1,2,3, Olivia Ferrández1,3, Daniel Echeverría-Esnal1,3
1Pharmacy Department, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Our objective was to analyze in vitro the persistence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the packaging material of the drugs dispensed to hospital wards. Additionally, to evaluate if the protection with a double plastic bag prevents the contamination of the medication dispensed to an intensive care unit (ICU).On the first part, different materials containing different drugs within an ICU were sampled to confirm the lack of contamination by SARS-CoV-2. The confirmation of the virus was performed using real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. As a control group, in the microbiology laboratory we inoculated the virus into the different surfaces containing the same drugs included in the first part. Samples were obtained with a sterile swab at 3, 6, 8, 10, 14, 21, and 30 days after inoculation and analyzed through real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.None of the studied materials containing the drugs within an ICU was contaminated by SARS-CoV-2. In the second part, SARS-CoV-2 was found in all surfaces for up to 30 days.The use of double-bag unit-dose system to deliver medication in a pandemic seems effective to prevent the potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2. A striking SARS-CoV-2 RNA stability of up to 30 days was found in the surfaces containing the drugs.
Insights
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA persisted for up to 30 days on drug packaging surfaces. However, no SARS-CoV-2 contamination was found on medications dispensed to an intensive care unit (ICU), suggesting double-bagging is effective.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Pharmacy
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
- Understanding virus persistence on pharmaceutical packaging is crucial for hospital infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on drug packaging materials.
- To assess the efficacy of double-bagging medication for preventing SARS-CoV-2 contamination in an ICU setting.
Main Methods:
- Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
- Drug packaging materials were sampled from an ICU and experimentally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 in a laboratory setting.
- Samples were collected at multiple time points (3 to 30 days) post-inoculation.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 RNA demonstrated remarkable stability, persisting on inoculated surfaces for up to 30 days.
- No SARS-CoV-2 contamination was detected on actual drug packaging materials dispensed within the ICU.
- The double-bag unit-dose system effectively prevented contamination of ICU-dispensed medications.
Conclusions:
- Drug packaging materials can harbor viable SARS-CoV-2 RNA for extended periods.
- The double-bagging strategy for unit-dose medication delivery is an effective measure against SARS-CoV-2 transmission in pandemic hospital environments.
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