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Published on: April 9, 2021
Environmental Contamination by SARS-CoV-2 During Noninvasive Ventilation in COVID-19
Alessio Dell'Olio1, Caterina Vocale2, Alessandra Primavera3
1Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 from noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in ICUs is a concern. This study found no SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces near patients receiving NIV with proper precautions, indicating safety.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
- Environmental Health
Background:
- The potential for environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 from patients undergoing noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in intensive care units (ICUs) requires thorough investigation.
- Controlled conditions, including dual-limb circuits, filters, and adequate room ventilation, were employed to assess this risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces near patients receiving NIV in an ICU setting.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of infection control measures during NIV in ICUs.
Main Methods:
- A single-center, prospective, observational study was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital ICU.
- Environmental swabs were collected from four surface areas at increasing distances from the patient's face at 6, 12, and 24-hour intervals.
- Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 genetic material (N1 and N2 genes) and human RNase P gene.
Main Results:
- A total of 256 environmental samples were collected and analyzed.
- None of the collected samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 genetic material.
- 8.2% of samples (21 out of 256) tested positive for the human RNase P gene, confirming the presence of unrelated genetic material.
Conclusions:
- The application of NIV in an ICU, when performed with appropriate environmental controls and precautions, does not lead to detectable surface contamination with SARS-CoV-2.
- These findings suggest that NIV can be safely utilized in ICUs, protecting both healthcare workers and other patients from potential exposure.
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