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Introduction: Several factors may influence mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Objective: This research aimed to determine mortality and associated factors in adults with COVID-19 hospitalized in the intensive care unit of a Third Level Hospital in Paraguay. Methodology: Observational, descriptive of crossassociation, cross-sectional, and retrospective study. We included medical records of adult patients, of both sexes, who had a confirmed diagnosis (by antigen and/or PCR test) of SARS-CoV-2 infection and who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit of a Third Level General Hospital in Paraguay. Results: We included 116 patients, 54% of whom were male. The mean age was 57 ± 12.9 years. Of participants, 51% had hypertension and 29% diabetes mellitus. Mechanical ventilation was required in 85% of the patients. Of ventilated patients, 75% had a fatal outcome. A statistically significant association was found between the presence of bacterial infections and hemodialysis requirement and fatal outcome (p=0.0074 and p=0.00011, respectively). The mean age of the deceased patients was 59.5 years, while the group of patients discharged from the intensive care unit had a mean age of 54.2 years. The difference between these ages in relation to death was significant, with a p<0.05. Discussion: Overall mortality due to COVID-19 was more than 6 per 10 patients, being higher in those patients with ventilation. Those patients who presented bacterial superinfection or required hemodialysis during hospitalization had a worse outcome compared to patients who did not present this type of complications. © 2023, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Santa Rosa del Aguaray Branch, National University of Asuncion. All rights reserved.
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has negatively impacted on patients of the whole CKD spectrum, causing high rates of morbi-mortality. SARS-CoV-2 vaccines opened a new era, but patients with CKD (including kidney transplant, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis) were systematically excluded from pivotal clinical trials. The Spanish Society of Nephrology promoted the multicentric national SENCOVAC study aimed at assessing immunological responses after vaccination in patients with CKD. During the first year after vaccination, patients with non-dialysis CKD and those on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis presented good anti-Spike antibody responses to vaccination, especially after receiving the third and fourth doses. However, kidney transplant recipients presented suboptimal responses after any vaccination schedule (initial, third and fourth dose). Especially worrisome is the situation of a patients with a persistently negative humoral response that do not seroconvert after boosters. In this regard, monoclonal antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 have been approved for high-risk patients, although they may become obsolete as the viral genome evolves. The present report reviews the current status of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in the CKD spectrum with emphasis on lessons learned from the SENCOVAC study. Predictors of humoral response, including vaccination schedules and types of vaccines, as well as the integration of vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and antiviral agents are discussed.
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Introducción: La pandemia por COVID-19 acaecida en 2019 afectó con mayor gravedad a la población de mayor edad y con enfermedades subyacentes, siendo estos factores de riesgo de mortalidad. Estas características son propias del paciente renal en diálisis, por lo que es importante conocer cuál fue el impacto del COVID-19 en este grupo poblacional. Objetivo: El objetivo principal fue conocer y sintetizar la evidencia científica existente sobre las características clínicas de la enfermedad COVID-19 en el paciente con enfermedad renal crónica en diálisis. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión sistemática basada en la declaración PRISMA, en la que se analizaron 23 artículos procedentes de las bases de datos PubMed y Scopus. Se incluyeron artículos originales en inglés y español que excluyeran la población pediátrica. Resultados: Se incluyeron 23 artículos de diseño observacional. Principalmente los resultados se centraron en incidencia, características clínicas, como sintomatología o evolución, mortalidad y medidas preventivas en las unidades de diálisis. Conclusiones: La incidencia de la COVID-19 fue mayor en unidades de diálisis que en los pacientes que recibían diálisis domiciliaria. La sintomatología más leve fue la común a la población general. En los casos más graves, cerca del 50% de los pacientes necesitaron hospitalización y/o ingreso en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. La mortalidad fue bastante elevada y se relacionó con la edad avanzada, comorbilidad, sexo masculino o fragilidad clínica. Además, en las unidades de diálisis se implementaron medidas de prevención de la enfermedad, al ser espacios físicos cerrados donde se concentra un gran número de pacientes.Alternate : Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic that occurred in 2019 most severely affected the older population and those with underlying diseases, these being risk factors for mortality. Circumstances present in renal patients on dialysis, so it is important to know what the impact of COVID-19 was on this population group. Objective: To understand and synthesise the existing scientific evidence on the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 disease in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. Material and Method: A systematic review was carried out based on the PRISMA statement, in which 23 articles from the PubMed and Scopus databases were analysed. Original articles in English and Spanish that excluded the paediatric population were included. Results: 23 articles of observational design were included. Mainly the results focused on incidence, clinical characteristics, such as symptomatology or evolution, mortality and preventive measures in dialysis units. Conclusions: The incidence of COVID-19 was higher in dialysis units than in patients receiving home dialysis. The mildest symptomatology was common to the general population. In the most severe cases, about 50% of patients required hospitalisation and/or admission to an Intensive Care Unit. Mortality was quite high and was related to advanced age, comorbidity, male sex or clinical frailty. In addition, disease prevention measures were implemented in the dialysis units, as they are closed physical spaces where many patients are concentrated.
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Introducción: Ser personal sanitario en activo supone un factor de riesgo elevado para contraer la infección por SARS-CoV-2. La realización de programas de vacunación es la mejor herramienta disponible para enfrentar este problema. En España, los profesionales sanitarios han sido vacunados de manera prioritaria. Objetivo: Evaluar, a través del recuento de anticuerpos en sangre, la inmunogenicidad de las vacunas frente a SARS-CoV-2 en personal de diálisis y los factores relacionados con ella. Material y Método: Estudio observacional descriptivo de corte trasversal, multicéntrico. Se realizó una determinación serológica del recuento de anticuerpos totales anti-proteína "S" en las 12 semanas posteriores a la vacunación. La recogida de datos se realizó a través de un cuestionario ad-hoc, online, anónimo y voluntario. Resultados: 167 participantes, todos vacunados con vacunas ARN. EL 15% había pasado previamente la infección. El 96,4% han desarrollado anticuerpos (media de 15.776±13.640 AU/ml);aquellos profesionales que han pasado previamente la infección tienen un número promedio de anticuerpos significativamente mayor que los que no (23.532 vs 14.381 AU/ml) (p=0,05). La presencia de síntomas como cansancio, cefalea, fiebre y mialgias se asocia, también, a una reactividad significativamente mayor (p=0,004). No existe relación significativa entre la reactividad y sexo, edad, índice de masa corporal (IMC) o lugar de trabajo. Conclusiones: La inmunogenicidad provocada por las vacunas ARN administradas a personal de diálisis ha sido casi total. Padecer efectos adversos post vacunación, como cansancio, cefaleas, fiebre, náuseas y dolores, y haber pasado previamente la infección se asocia con mayor reactividad, manifestada con el desarrollo de mayor número de anticuerpos.Alternate : Introduction: Being an active healthcare worker is a high-risk factor for contracting the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The implementation of vaccination programs is the best option available to solve this problem. In Spain, healthcare professionals have been vaccinated as a matter of priority. Objective: To assess, through blood antibody counts, the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV2 vaccines in dialysis personnel and related factors. Material and Method: Observational, cross-sectional and multicentric descriptive study. Results: 167 participants, all vaccinated with RNA vaccines. 15% have previously passed the infection. 96.4% have developed antibodies (mean of 15,776 +/-13,640). Those professionals who have previously passed the infection have a significantly higher average number of antibodies than those who have not (23,532 vs 14,381) (p=0.05). The presence of symptoms such as fatigue, headache, fever, and myalgia is also related with a significantly greater reactivity (p=0.004). There is no significant relationship between reactivity and sex, age, BMI, or workplace. Conclusions: Immunogenicity caused by RNA vaccines administered to dialysis personnel has been almost complete. Suffering post-vaccination adverse effects such as fatigue, headaches, fever, nausea, pain, and having previously passed the infection is related to a greater reactivity, manifested by the development of an increased number of antibodies.
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Objetivo: profundizar en el conocimiento sobre las vivencias y el soporte percibido en cuidadoras primarias que atendieron a pacientes dependientes en tratamiento con hemodiálisis durante el periodo de pandemia por COVID-19 en la ciudad de Madrid. Material y Método: estudio transversal efectuado con diez cuidadoras primarias de pacientes en tratamiento de hemodiálisis que habían proporcionado cuidados durante el periodo de marzo 2020 a junio 2021. La recolección de los datos se realizó mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas a distancia hasta conseguir la saturación de las unidades de significado. Se realizó un análisis cualitativo fenomenológico mediante el método de siete pasos de Colaizzi. Resultados: del análisis de los discursos emergieron dimensiones asociadas a diferentes subcategorías: miedo inicial sobre la enfermedad, pérdida de libertad, riesgo percibido durante el transporte, soporte percibido por parte de los centros de diálisis, capacidad de resiliencia, miedo a la muerte e impacto de la vacunación. Conclusiones: en la etapa álgida del brote epidémico las vivencias de las cuidadoras estuvieron muy influidas por el desconocimiento de la enfermedad y el miedo al contagio. Adaptaron medidas de auto prevención para mantener a salvo a su familiar. Apreciaron la seguridad proporcionada por los profesionales de los centros. Les preocupaba los riesgos inherentes a los traslados y la falta de soporte de los servicios sociales. Son conscientes de su propia fragilidad y la de la persona cuidada y no perciben grandes cambios ni en su forma de vida ni en su esperanza de futuro, pese a la vacunación y otros adelantos científicos.Alternate : Objective: Deepening knowledge of the experiences and support perceived in primary caregivers who attended patients in hemodialysis treatment during the pandemic period for COVID-19 in the city of Madrid. Material and Method: Cross-sectional study conducted with ten primary caregivers of patients in hemodialysis treatment who had provided care during the period from March 2020 to June 2021. The collection of the data was carried out through semi-structured distance interviews to achieve saturation of the units of meaning. A phenomenological qualitative analysis was carried out using Colaizzi’s seven-pass method. Results: From the analysis of the speeches, dimensions associated with different subcategories emerged: initial fear about the disease, loss of freedom, perceived risk during transport, perceived support from dialysis centres, resilience, fear of death and impact of vaccination. Conclusions: At the height of the outbreak, caregivers’ experiences were strongly influenced by their lack of knowledge of the disease and fear of infection. They adapted self-prevention measures to keep their family member safe. They appreciated the safety provided by the professionals in the centres. They were concerned about the risks inherent in transfers and the lack of support from social services. They are aware of their own and the cared-for person’s frailty and do not perceive major changes in their way of life or in their hope for the future, despite vaccination and other scientific advances.
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Los pacientes en diálisis constituyen un grupo de riesgo de sufrir infección por SARS-CoV-2 y posiblemente de tener más complicaciones. Los profesionales sanitarios se han enfrentado a una pandemia sin precedentes y de la que había poca información. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido describir la experiencia del primer mes viviendo la pandemia generada por SARS-CoV-2 en una unidad hospitalaria de hemodiálisis de Madrid, tanto en relación a los pacientes como al personal sanitario. Así mismo, se pretende reflejar las actuaciones sanitarias durante dicho mes. El total de pacientes en la unidad fue de 90, realizándose la determinación PCR a todos, 37 (41,1%) dieron positivo a COVID-19, de estos 22 (59,4%) eran sintomáticos y 15 (40,5%) eran asintomáticos. De los pacientes positivos, 16 (43,2%) precisaron ingreso hospitalario y 6 (16,2%) fallecieron. Los pacientes fallecidos eran de mayor edad que los supervivientes. La muestra de profesionales sanitarios fue de 44, de los que 15 (34%) presentaron sintomatología. El servicio de Salud Laboral sólo determinó PCR a este grupo, obteniendo 4 profesionales (9%) PCR positivo, sin embargo tras considerar los criterios clínicos/radiológicos un total de 9 profesionales fueron diagnosticados como COVID-19 positivos, requiriendo 1 de ellos ingreso hospitalario. Conclusiones: se detectó una elevada prevalencia de COVID-19 positivo en los pacientes de la unidad de diálisis, donde destaca el elevado número de pacientes asintomáticos detectados mediante cribado PCR al total de los pacientes. Algunos profesionales presentaron algún tipo de sintomatología correspondiente con clínica COVID-19, pero se detectaron pocos casos con PCR positiva.Alternate : Dialysis patients are at risk group for SARS-CoV-2 infection and possibly have more complications. Healthcare professionals have faced an unprecedented pandemic, for which little information existed. The objective of this study was to describe the experience of a Madrid hospital haemodialysis unit during the first month of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, both in relation to patients and healthcare personnel. Likewise, it is intended to report the health actions. The total number of patients in the unit was 90. In all patients, the PCR test was performed. 37 (41.1%) tested positive for COVID-19, of these 22 (59.4%) were symptomatic and 15 (40.5%) were asymptomatic. Of the positive patients, 16 (43.2%) required hospital admission, 6 of whom died (16.2%). The deceased patients were older than the survivors. Health professionals were 44, of whom 15 (34%) had symptoms. The Occupational Health service only performed PCR on the symptomatic group, having 4 professionals (9%) positive PCR. However, after considering the clinical / radiological criteria, 9 professionals were diagnosed as COVID-19 positive, 1 of them requiring hospital admission. Conclusions: A high prevalence of positive COVID-19 was detected in patients in the dialysis unit, highlighting the high number of asymptomatic patients detected by PCR screening. Some healthcare professionals presented some type of symptoms corresponding to the COVID-19 disease, however, few cases were detected with positive PCR.
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Objetivo: Profundizar en el conocimiento sobre las experiencias de vida y el soporte percibido por las enfermeras/os que atendieron a pacientes con enfermedad de COVID-19 en tratamiento con hemodiálisis hospitalaria durante los meses de mayor prevalencia de la pandemia en España. Material y Método: Estudio cualitativo fenomenológico. El grupo participante fue de diez enfermeras/o de hospitales públicos de España que habían dializado a pacientes con COVID-19. La recolección de los datos se realizó mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas a través del programa Skype©, hasta conseguir la saturación de las unidades de significado. El análisis se hizo mediante el método de Colaizzi-7 pasos. Resultados: Del análisis de los discursos emergieron cuatro dimensiones asociadas a diferentes subcategorías: desconocimiento sobre la enfermedad, sufrimiento del paciente, soporte percibido y capacidad de afrontamiento de los profesionales. Conclusiones: En las enfermeras han coexistido emociones positivas y negativas. En la etapa álgida del brote epidémico las vivencias de las enfermeras de hemodiálisis fueron provocadas por el desconocimiento, por no saber actuar adecuadamente y por el miedo al contagio, agravado por la falta de medios de protección. Las vivencias positivas fueron el crecimiento personal, el apoyo del equipo y de la familia. También cabe destacar el control racional de la situación, debido a que en las unidades de diálisis hay gran experiencia en el control de la trasmisión de enfermedades infecciosas.Alternate : Aim: To deepen the knowledge about life experiences and support perceived by nurses who attended in-hospital patients with COVID-19 disease on haemodialysis during the months with the highest prevalence of the pandemic in Spain. Material and Method: Qualitative phenomenological study. The participating group was ten nurses from public hospitals in Spain who had dialyzed patients with COVID-19. Data collection was performed using semi-structured interviews through Skype© program, until the units of meaning were saturated. The analysis was done using the Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Results: Four dimensions emerged from the speech analysis associated with different subcategories: ignorance about the disease, patient suffering, perceived support and professionals’ ability to cope. Conclusions: Positive and negative emotions have coexisted in nurses. In the peak stage of the epidemic outbreak, the experiences of hemodialysis nurses were caused by ignorance, not knowing how to act appropriately, and fear of infection, aggravated by the lack of means of protection. The positive experiences were personal growth, the support of the team and the family. It is also worth noting the rational control of the situation, because in the dialysis units there is great experience in controlling the transmission of infectious diseases.
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Resumen Introducción y objetivo La epidemia de SARS-CoV-2 representa un riesgo especial para los pacientes en hemodiálisis (HD) por sus comorbilidades, y el cursar con una inflamación más severa con menos síntomas y peor evolución. Nuestro objetivo fue conocer las características clínicas y bioquímicas de los pacientes en hemodiálisis (HD) que presentaron cuadro sospechoso de COVID-19 (por sus siglas en inglés de Corona Virus Disease – 2019), sus factores de riesgo y desenlace. Material y métodos Estudio de reporte de casos, retrospectivo, observacional, en los pacientes en HD sospechosos de COVID-19. Registrándose comorbilidades, clínica, laboratorio, prueba de transcripción reversa cuantitativa de la reacción en cadena de polimerasa (RT-qPCR) para SARS-COV-2 y desenlace. Se realizó estadística descriptiva y análisis de regresión lineal y logístico. Resultados De 1.514 personas que recibían tratamiento de HD, 248 pacientes presentaron sintomatología sospechosa de COVID-19 (106 positivos, 83 negativos y 59 sospechosos por PCR), mediana de edad de 51 años (RI 36-63 años), 54,8% masculinos, hipertensión (87,5%), hemoglobina de 8,9 g (RI 7,5-10,6 g);la sintomatología de tos, fiebre y disnea (65,7, 64,5 y 53,2% respectivamente). El porcentaje de letalidad en el grupo de los pacientes con RT-qPCR positiva fue de 29,24%. Conclusiones La tasa de mortalidad y letalidad es alta en este tipo de población. El grupo etario, el sexo y las comorbilidades cardiometabólicas se comportan similar al resto de la población no renal. El estado bioquímico preexistente no marca una diferencia en el desenlace. La sintomatología predominante es respiratoria. Introduction and objective The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic represents a special risk for patients on hemodialysis (HD) due to their comorbidities and the fact that they often have a more severe case of inflammation with fewer symptoms and a worse evolution and outcome. The aim of this study was to detect the clinical and biochemical characteristics of patients on hemodialysis (HD) who presented a suspicious involvement of COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease – 2019), their risk factors and specific outcomes. Material and methods This is a retrospective, observational case report study in HD patients suspected of having COVID-19. Records pointed to comorbidities, clinical and laboratory tests, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) tests for SARS-COV-2 and outcomes. Descriptive statistics and linear and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results Of the total number of HD patients (1514), 248 HD patients were suspected to have COVID-19 (106 were positive, 83 were negative and 59 suspected using PCR testing);the median age was 51 years (IR 36-63 years), 54.8% were males, had hypertension (87.5%), with a hemoglobin count of 8.9 g (IR 7.5-10.6 g) and symptoms such as cough, fever and dyspnea (65.7, 64.5 and 53.2%, respectively). The fatality rate in the group of patients with positive RT-qPCR was 29.24%. Conclusions The mortality and fatality rate is often high in this population. The age group, sex, and cardio-metabolic comorbidities behave similarly to the rest of the non-renal population. Pre-existing biochemical status does not make a difference in the outcome. The predominant symptomatology was pulmonary in nature.
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INTRODUCTION: The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by a new coronavirus that is affecting the entire world. There have been studies of patients on in-center hemodialysis (HD), but home dialysis population data are scarce. Our objective is to study the incidence and course of COVID-19 in a home dialysis unit (HDU) at the height of the pandemic. METHODS: an observational, retrospective study enrolling all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from the HDU of Hospital Universitario La Paz [La Paz University Hospital] (Madrid, Spain) between March 10 and May 15, 2020. We collected clinical data from the HDU (57 patients on peritoneal dialysis [PD] and 22 patients on home hemodialysis [HHD]) and compared the clinical characteristics and course of patients with and without COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: twelve patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 (9 PD; 3 HHD). There were no statistically significant differences in terms of clinical characteristics between patients with COVID-19 and the rest of the unit. The mean age was 62 ± 18.5 years; most were men (75%). All patients but one required hospitalization. Ten patients (83%) were discharged following a mean of 16.4 ± 9.7 days of hospitalization. Two patients were diagnosed while hospitalised for other conditions, and these were the only patients who died. Those who died were older than those who survived. CONCLUSION: The incidence of COVID-19 in our HDU in Madrid at the height of the pandemic was high, especially in patients on PD. No potential benefit for preventing the infection in patients on home dialysis was observed. Advanced age and nosocomial transmission were the main factors linked to a worse prognosis.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Kidney Failure, Chronic , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , COVID-19/epidemiology , Female , Hemodialysis, Home , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Pandemics , Retrospective Studies , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by a new coronavirus that is affecting the entire world. There have been studies of patients on in-center hemodialysis, but home dialysis population data are scarce. Our objective is to study the incidence and course of COVID-19 in a home dialysis unit (HDU) at the height of the pandemic. METHODS: An observational, retrospective study enrolling all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from the HDU of Hospital Universitario La Paz (La Paz University Hospital) (Madrid, Spain) between March 10 and May 15, 2020. We collected clinical data from the HDU (57 patients on peritoneal dialysis and 22 patients on home hemodialysis) and compared the clinical characteristics and course of patients with and without COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: Twelve patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 (9 peritoneal dialysis; 3 home hemodialysis). There were no statistically significant differences in terms of clinical characteristics between patients with COVID-19 and the rest of the unit. The mean age was 62±18.5 years; most were men (75%). All patients but one required hospitalization. Ten patients (83%) were discharged following a mean of 16.4±9.7 days of hospitalization. Two patients were diagnosed while hospitalized for other conditions, and these were the only patients who died. Those who died were older than those who survived. CONCLUSION: The incidence of COVID-19 in our HDU in Madrid at the height of the pandemic was high, especially in patients on peritoneal dialysis. No potential benefit for preventing the infection in patients on home dialysis was observed. Advanced age and nosocomial transmission were the main factors linked to a worse prognosis.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Hemodialysis, Home/statistics & numerical data , Pandemics , Peritoneal Dialysis/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , COVID-19/mortality , Female , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Peritoneal Dialysis/mortality , Retrospective Studies , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Dialysis patients are a risk group for SARS-CoV-2 infection and possibly further complications, but we have little information. The aim of this paper is to describe the experience of the first month of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a hospital haemodialysis (HD) unit serving the district of Madrid with the second highest incidence of COVID-19 (almost 1,000 patients in 100,000h). In the form of a diary, we present the actions undertaken, the incidence of COVID-19 in patients and health staff, some clinical characteristics and the results of screening all the patients in the unit. We started with 90 patients on HD: 37 (41.1%) had COVID-19, of whom 17 (45.9%) were diagnosed through symptoms detected in triage or during the session, and 15 (40.5%) through subsequent screening of those who, until that time, had not undergone SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing. Fever was the most frequent symptom, 50% had lymphopenia and 18.4% <95% O2 saturation. Sixteen (43.2%) patients required hospital admission and 6 (16.2%) died. We found a cluster of infection per shift and also among those using public transport. In terms of staff, of the 44 people involved, 15 (34%) had compatible symptoms, 4 (9%) were confirmed as SARS-CoV-2 PCR cases by occupational health, 9 (20%) required some period of sick leave, temporary disability to work (ILT), and 5 were considered likely cases. CONCLUSIONS: We detected a high prevalence of COVID-19 with a high percentage detected by screening; hence the need for proactive diagnosis to stop the pandemic. Most cases are managed as outpatients, however severe symptoms are also appearing and mortality to date is 16.2%. In terms of staff, 20% have required sick leave in relation to COVID-19.
Subject(s)
Asymptomatic Infections/epidemiology , Betacoronavirus , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data , Hemodialysis Units, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , COVID-19 , Clinical Protocols , Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis , Coronavirus Infections/drug therapy , Female , Health Personnel/organization & administration , Hemodialysis Units, Hospital/organization & administration , Humans , Incidence , Lymphopenia/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Pneumonia, Viral/diagnosis , Pneumonia, Viral/drug therapy , Prevalence , SARS-CoV-2 , Spain/epidemiology , Symptom Assessment , Time Factors , Triage/methods , Young AdultABSTRACT
The experience of a tertiary hospital and four hemodialysis centers attached to it during the COVID-19 epidemic is described. The organization of care that has been carried out and the clinical course of the 16cases of COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients are summarized. The joint application of measures, including patient screening, the early investigation of possible cases, the isolation of confirmed, investigational or contact cases, as well as the use of individual protection measures, has enabled the epidemic to be controlled. The clinical course of these 16patients is compared with the series published by the Wuhan University Hospital and with the data from the COVID-19 infection registry of the Spanish Society of Nephrology. In our experience, and unlike what was reported by the Wuhan Center, COVID-19 disease in hemodialysis patients is severe in a significant percentage of cases, and high lethality is mostly caused by the infection itself. Measures to contain the epidemic are effective.
Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus , Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis , Pneumonia, Viral/diagnosis , Renal Dialysis , Tertiary Care Centers/organization & administration , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/mortality , Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control , Female , Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Nephrology/organization & administration , Pandemics/prevention & control , Patient Isolation/organization & administration , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Pneumonia, Viral/mortality , Pneumonia, Viral/prevention & control , Renal Dialysis/statistics & numerical data , SARS-CoV-2 , Spain/epidemiology , Symptom Assessment/methodsABSTRACT
The current outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 represents a special risk for renal patients due to their comorbidities and advanced age. The usual performance of hemodialysis treatments in collective rooms increases the risk. The specific information at this time in this regard is very limited. This manuscript includes a proposal for action to prevent infection in the Nephrology Services, and in particular in Hemodialysis Units, with the objective of early identification of patients who meet the definition of a suspected case of infection by SARS-CoV-2 and propose circuits and mechanisms to carry out hemodialysis treatments. They are recommendations in continuous review and can be modified if the epidemiological situation, the diagnostic and therapeutic options so require.