Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Surveillance and identification of clusters of healthcare workers with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Multidimensional interventions at a comprehensive cancer center.
Ariza-Heredia, Ella J; Frenzel, Elizabeth; Cantu, Sherry; Carlson, Mary; Thomas, Georgia; Khawaja, Fareed; Raad, Issam I; Chemaly, Roy F.
  • Ariza-Heredia EJ; Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
  • Frenzel E; Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
  • Cantu S; Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
  • Carlson M; Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
  • Thomas G; Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
  • Khawaja F; Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
  • Raad II; Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
  • Chemaly RF; Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol ; 42(7): 797-802, 2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-965364
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Cases of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. In this report, we describe 3 clusters of COVID-19 infections among healthcare workers (HCWs), not associated with patient exposure, and the interventions undertaken to halt ongoing exposure and transmission at our cancer center.

METHODS:

A cluster of cases was defined as 2 or more cases of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive COVID-19 among HCWs who work in the same unit area at the same time. Cases were identified by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing. Contact tracing, facility observations, and infection prevention assessments were performed to investigate the 3 clusters between March 1 and April 30, 2020, with subsequent implementation of containment strategies.

RESULTS:

The initial cluster involved HCWs from an ancillary services unit, with contacts traced back to a gathering in a break room in which 1 employee was symptomatic, although not yet diagnosed with COVID-19, with subsequent transmission to 7 employees. The second cluster involved 4 employees and was community related. The third cluster involved only 2 employees with possible transmission while working in the same office at the same time. A step-up approach was implemented to control the spread of infection among employees, including universal masking, enhanced cleaning, increase awareness, and surveillance testing. No nosocomial transmission to patients transpired.

CONCLUSIONS:

To our knowledge, this is the first report of a hospital-based cluster of COVID-19 infections among HCWs in a cancer hospital describing our steps to mitigate further transmission.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Neoplasms Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Journal subject: Communicable Diseases / Nursing / Epidemiology / Hospitals Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Neoplasms Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Journal subject: Communicable Diseases / Nursing / Epidemiology / Hospitals Year: 2021 Document Type: Article