Early experience with universal preprocedural testing for SARS-CoV-2 in a relatively low-prevalence area. (3rd March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lewis, Sarah S.; Smith, Becky A.; Akinboyo, Ibukunoluwa C.; Seidelman, Jessica; Wolfe, Cameron; Kirk, Allan B.; Martin, Gavin; Denny, Thomas; Lobaugh, Bruce; Rehder, Catherine; Cardona, Diana; Lee, Mark J.; Polage, Christopher R.; Datto, Michael B.
• Is Part Of: Infection control and hospital epidemiology. Volume 42:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 341
• Page End: 343
• Publication Date: 2021-03-03
• Subjects: Nosocomial infections -- Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health facilities -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Hospital buildings -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Hospitals -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2020.398
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-823X

Abstract

Abstract: We implemented universal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing of patients undergoing surgical procedures as a means to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE). The rate of asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was <0.5%, which suggests that early local public health interventions were successful. Although our protocol was resource intensive, it prevented exposures to healthcare team members.