American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Aug 2020
Absence of nosocomial transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to SARS-CoV-2 in the prepandemic phase in Hong Kong.
To describe the infection control strategy to achieve zero nosocomial transmission of symptomatic coronavirus disease (COVID-19) due to SARS-CoV-2 during the prepandemic phase (the first 72 days after announcement of pneumonia cases in Wuhan) in Hong Kong. ⋯ Administrative support to infection control could minimize the risk of nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
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Am J Infect Control · Aug 2020
Environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea.
Although contact precaution is generally recommended in situations where coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is suspected, there is limited evidence on environmental contamination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therefore, we conducted environmental surveillance on SARS-CoV-2 contamination in 2 different healthcare settings. ⋯ Hospital surfaces surrounding patients were contaminated by SARS-CoV-2. Our findings support the value of strict contact precaution, routine cleaning, and disinfection in the management of COVID-19 patients.
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Am J Infect Control · Aug 2020
Medical waste management practice during the 2019-2020 novel coronavirus pandemic: Experience in a general hospital.
It is currently a critical period for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the medical waste disposal could be an important way to control the source of infection, standardization, and strict implementation of the management of COVID-19 related medical waste should be with careful consideration to reduce the risk of epidemic within hospitals. This study illustrates the practice of medical waste disposal responding to the 2019-2020 novel coronavirus pandemic.
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Am J Infect Control · Aug 2020
Environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 in a designated hospital for coronavirus disease 2019.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by risk of nosocomial transmission; however, the extent of environmental contamination and its potential contribution of environmental contamination to SARS-CoV-2 transmission are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate whether environmental contamination may play a role in SARS-CoV-2 transmission. ⋯ Most of the touchable surfaces in the designated hospital for COVID-19 were heavily contaminated, suggesting that the environment is a potential medium of disease transmission. These results emphasize the need for strict environmental surface hygiene practices and enhanced hand hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus.
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Am J Infect Control · Aug 2020
Pretreated household materials carry similar filtration protection against pathogens when compared with surgical masks.
The past 4 months, the emergence and spread of novel 2019 SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) has led to a global pandemic which is rapidly depleting supplies of personal protective equipment worldwide. There are currently over 1.6 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide which has resulted in more the 100,000 deaths. As these numbers grow daily, hospitals are being forced to reuse surgical masks in hopes of conserving their dwindling supply. Since COVID-19 will most likely have effects that last for many months, our nationwide shortage of masks poses a long term issue that must be addressed immediately. ⋯ We believe this method will allow for healthcare workers to create a disposable added layer of protection to their surgical masks, N95s, or homemade masks by using household available products. Adoption of this method may play an essential role in ensuring the safety of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and any pandemics that may arise in the future.