Infection control, prophylactic antibiotics, and testing for SARS-CoV-2 and PPE on German intensive care units: results from a national mixed methods survey.
GMS Hyg Infect Control
; 16: Doc21, 2021.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1290316
ABSTRACT
Aim:
Recommendations on hygiene measures, personal protective equipment (PPE), isolation, and antibiotic prophylaxis were developed during the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) pandemic and have been revised several times to date. Some of the underlying literature indicates a large evidence gap. We suspect that this leads to a large variance of measures on German intensive care units (ICU).Methods:
A mixed methods online survey among intensive-care specialists in Germany caring for COVID-19 patients was conducted in December 2020.Results:
We received responses from 205 German ICUs that had treated COVID-19 patients to date. There was wide variation in the use of PPE. Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was used by 94.8% of the units, with an average waiting time of 12 hours for the result. 18.7% of the respondents prescribed antibiotic prophylaxis in COVID-19 patients.Conclusion:
We found a high variance in essential care strategies for COVID-19 patients on German intensive care units. This included differences in infection prophylaxis, personal protective equipment, and the indication of prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Based on our results, we recommend further studies to quantify and improve guideline adherence.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Observational study
Language:
English
Journal:
GMS Hyg Infect Control
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Dgkh000392
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