High numbers of COVID-19 patients transit through non-COVID wards, and associated healthcare workers have high infection rates: an observational cross-sectional study
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Authors
Nallamilli, Susanna
Patel, Tejus
Buazon, April
Vidler, Jennifer
Norton, Sam
Atta, Mustafa
Galloway, James
Bowcock, Stella
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Issue Date
2022
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Article
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Abstract
Infection risk is high in healthcare workers working with COVID-19 patients but the risk in non-COVID clinical environments is less clear. We measured infection rates early in the pandemic by SARS-CoV-2 antibody and/or a positive PCR test in 1118 HCWs within various hospital environments with particular focus on non-COVID clinical areas. Infection risk on non-COVID wards was estimated through the surrogate metric of numbers of patients transferred from a non-COVID to a COVID ward. Staff infection rates increased with likelihood of COVID exposure and suggested high risk in non-COVID clinical areas (non patient-facing 23.2% versus patient-facing in either non-COVID environments 31.5% or COVID wards 44%). High numbers of patients admitted to COVID wards had initially been admitted to designated non-COVID wards (22-48% at peak). Infection risk was high during a pandemic in all clinical environments and non-COVID designation may provide false reassurance. Our findings support the need for common personal protective equipment standards in all clinical areas, irrespective of COVID/non-COVID designation.
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PLOS ONE
Volume
17
Issue
10