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Impact of COVID-19 RT-PCR testing of asymptomatic health care workers on absenteeism and hospital transmission during the pandemic.
Mendes, Elisa Teixeira; Neto, Danilo Glauco Pereira Villagelin; Ferreira, Giulia Magalhães; Valença, Ian Nunes; Lima, Maria Patelli Juliani Souza; de Freitas, Maria Fernanda Marciano Barros; Donalisio, Maria Rita; Melo, Marcio Cristiano; Lazari, Carolina; Goes, Jacqueline; Morales, Ingra; Jardim, Ana Carolina Gomes; Andrade Dos Santos, Pamela; Franco, Lucas Augusto Moyses; Sabino, Ester Cerdeiro; Costa, Silvia Figueiredo.
  • Mendes ET; Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC-Campinas), Center for Life Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Av John Boyd Dunlop, Campinas/SP, Brazil. Electronic address: elisatmendes@gmail.com.
  • Neto DGPV; Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC-Campinas), Centro de Pesquisa São Lucas, Av John Boyd Dunlop, Campinas/SP, Brazil.
  • Ferreira GM; Postgraduate Program in Applied Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia/MG, Brazil; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Dr Eneas Aguiar St 255, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
  • Valença IN; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Dr Eneas Aguiar St 255, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
  • Lima MPJS; Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC-Campinas), Center for Life Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Av John Boyd Dunlop, Campinas/SP, Brazil.
  • de Freitas MFMB; Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC-Campinas), Center for Life Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Av John Boyd Dunlop, Campinas/SP, Brazil.
  • Donalisio MR; University of Campinas School of Medical Sciences, SP Tessalia Vieira de Camargo St 126, Campinas/SP, Brazil.
  • Melo MC; São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras/SP, Brazil.
  • Lazari C; Laboratório Fleury and Divisão de Laboratório Central do Hospital das Clínicas, da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Dr Eneas Aguiar St 255 São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
  • Goes J; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Dr Eneas Aguiar St 255, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
  • Morales I; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Dr Eneas Aguiar St 255, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
  • Jardim ACG; Postgraduate Program in Applied Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia/MG, Brazil.
  • Andrade Dos Santos P; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Dr Eneas Aguiar St 255, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
  • Franco LAM; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Dr Eneas Aguiar St 255, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
  • Sabino EC; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Dr Eneas Aguiar St 255, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
  • Costa SF; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Dr Eneas Aguiar St 255, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
Am J Infect Control ; 2022 Nov 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2283749
ABSTRACT
Reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic patients is critical in controlling the circulation of the virus. This study evaluated the prevalence of RT-PCR positivity in serial tests (every 20 days) in 429 asymptomatic health care workers (HCW) and its impact on absenteeism from May to August 2020. Asymptomatic HCW from a COVID-19 reference hospital in Campinas (1.2 million inhabitants), Brazil, were tested, screened, and placed on leave. A time-series segmented regression of weekly absenteeism rates was used, and cases of infection among hospitalized patients were analyzed. Viral gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed on samples gathered from professionals who had a positive result. A significant decrease in absenteeism was detected 3-4 weeks after the intervention at a time of increased transmission within the city. The prevalence of RT-PCR positivity among asymptomatic professionals was 17.3%. Phylogenetic analyses of 59 samples detected nine clusters, two of them strongly suggestive of intra-hospital transmission with strains (75% B.1.1.28) circulating in the region during this period. Testing and placing asymptomatic professionals on leave contributed to control strategy for COVID-19 transmission in the hospital environment, and in reducing positivity and absenteeism, which directly influences the quality of care and exposes professionals to an extra load of stress.

BACKGROUND:

Reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic patients is critical in controlling the circulation of the virus.

METHODS:

This study evaluated the prevalence of RT-PCR positivity in serial tests (every 20 days) in 429 asymptomatic health care workers (HCW) and its impact on absenteeism from May to August 2020. Asymptomatic HCW from a COVID-19 reference hospital in Campinas (1.2 million inhabitants), Brazil, were tested, screened, and placed on leave. A time-series segmented regression of weekly absenteeism rates was used, and cases of infection among hospitalized patients were analyzed. Viral gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed on samples gathered from professionals who had a positive result.

RESULTS:

A significant decrease in absenteeism was detected 3-4 weeks after the intervention at a time of increased transmission within the city. The prevalence of RT-PCR positivity among asymptomatic professionals was 17.3%. Phylogenetic analyses of 59 samples detected nine clusters, two of them strongly suggestive of intra-hospital transmission with strains (75% B.1.1.28) circulating in the region during this period.

CONCLUSIONS:

Testing and placing asymptomatic professionals on leave contributed to control strategy for COVID-19 transmission in the hospital environment, and in reducing positivity and absenteeism, which directly influences the quality of care and exposes professionals to an extra load of stress.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article