In:
Hospital Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Vol. 11, No. 3 ( 2021-03-01), p. e42-e47
Abstract:
The paucity of symptoms and the difficulties in wearing personal protective equipment make children a potential source of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection for health care workers (HCWs). Previous experience in pediatric settings reported high rate of intrahospital SARS-CoV-2 transmission in HCWs caring for children. We aimed at investigating the rate and determinants of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs working in a regional reference center in the Southern Italy. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted to monitor the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs and investigate the relation between the infection rate and hours of exposure or number and characteristics of procedures, including nasopharyngeal swab, high-flow oxygen delivery, suctioning of airway secretions, sputum induction, and nebulizer administration. RESULTS: After 5 months of monitoring, 425.6 hours of SARS-CoV-2 exposure (18.5 hours per person), and 920 hospital procedures, no case of nosocomial transmission was reported among the 23 HCWs enrolled in the study. CONCLUSIONS: The application of stringent preventive measures, also outside the area dedicated to patients’ care, can effectively control infection spreading also in pediatric settings.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2154-1663
,
2154-1671
DOI:
10.1542/hpeds.2020-003855
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Publication Date:
2021
