Prevention and control of COVID-19 outbreak in a hemodialysis center

Camilo Alberto González González1, Kelly Rocío Chacón Acevedo2, Ana Maria Arana1

  • 1Unidad Renal, Clínica Colsanitas, Bogotá, Colombia.

Revista Medica De Chile
|October 31, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 infection rate in hemodialysis patients was high, with a 30.2% cumulative incidence. Strict biosafety measures are crucial for preventing outbreaks in dialysis units.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Controlling SARS-CoV-2 in hemodialysis (HD) units presents significant challenges.
  • Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on HD are a vulnerable population for severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the clinical presentation and outcomes of COVID-19 in CKD patients undergoing HD.
  • To determine the incidence, prevalence, and case-fatality rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a Colombian HD unit.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational study conducted from March 2020 to January 2021.
  • Screening included RT-PCR and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM antibody testing for all patients and staff.
  • Epidemiological metrics such as incidence, prevalence, and case-fatality rates were calculated.

Main Results:

  • Identified 55 COVID-19 cases in patients and 9 in health personnel.
  • The cumulative incidence of infection was 30.2%, with a population seroprevalence of 24.9%.
  • The case-fatality rate among infected patients was 9.1%; common symptoms included fever, cough, and myalgia.

Conclusions:

  • The study revealed a high incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection within the hemodialysis unit.
  • Emphasizes the critical need for stringent biosafety protocols to mitigate outbreaks in HD settings.
Abstract

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