Airborne protection for staff is associated with reduced hospital-acquired COVID-19 in English NHS trusts. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lawton, T.; Butler, M.; Peters, C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 120(2022)
• Page Start: 81
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Infection control -- Nosocomial infections -- Personal protective equipment -- Respiratory protective devices; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.11.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Introduction: The rate of hospital-acquired coronavirus disease 2019 has reduced from 14.3% to 4.2% over the last year, but substantial differences still exist between English National Health Service (NHS) hospital trusts. Methods: This study assessed rates of hospital-acquired infection (HAI), comparing NHS hospital trusts using airborne respiratory protection (e.g. FFP3 masks) for all staff, as a marker of measures to reduce airborne spread, with NHS hospital trusts using mainly droplet precautions (e.g. surgical masks). Results/discussion: The use of respiratory protective equipment was associated with a 33% reduction in the odds of HAI in the Delta wave, and a 21% reduction in the odds of HAI in the Alpha wave ( P <0.00001). It is recommended that all hospitals should prioritize airborne mitigation.