Contamination of personal protective equipment and environmental surfaces in Fangcang shelter hospitals.
Am J Infect Control
; 2022 Nov 23.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2246553
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Fangcang shelter hospitals emerged as a new public health concept after COVID-19. Data regarding contamination of Fangcang shelter environments remains scarce. This study aims to investigate the extent of SARS-CoV-2 contamination on personal protective equipment and surfaces in Fangcang hospitals.METHODS:
Between March and May 2022, during wave of omicron variant, a prospective study was conducted in two Fangcang hospitals in Shanghai, China. Swabs of personal protective equipment worn and environmental surfaces of contaminated areas, doffing rooms, and potentially contaminated areas were collected. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. If viral RNA was detected, sampling was repeated after cleaning and disinfection.RESULTS:
A total of 602 samples were collected. 13.3% of the personal protective equipment were contaminated. Positive rate was higher in the contaminated areas (48.4%) than in the doffing rooms (11.7%) and the potentially contaminated areas (0; P<0.05). Contamination was highest in patient occupied areas 67.5%. After cleaning, samples taken at previously contaminated surfaces are all negative.CONCLUSIONS:
SARS-CoV-2 RNA contamination is prevalent in Fangcang hospitals and healthcare workers are under risk of infection. Potentially contaminated areas and surfaces after cleaning and disinfection are negative, underlying the importance of infection control policy.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Variants
Language:
English
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.ajic.2022.11.016
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