Designed for a pandemic: Mitigating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through hospital design and infrastructure

IF 2.7 Q2 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Infection Disease & Health Pub Date : 2023-10-06 DOI:10.1016/j.idh.2023.08.004

Brendan Kennedy , Anushia Ashokan , Chuan Kok Lim , Diana Lagana , Marija Juraja , David Shaw

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

To describe the new Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) design and infrastructure features that helped mitigate the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission within the hospital during the pre-vaccination and pre-antiviral period.

Method

The RAH infrastructure, design and initial pandemic response was assessed. A retrospective review of all confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients admitted from 1 February 2020 to 30 May 2020 was also performed to assess risk of transmission. Outbreak response reports were reviewed to identify episodes of nosocomial COVID-19.

Results

Key infrastructure features include single-bed overnight rooms with dedicated bathrooms, creation of pandemic areas accessible only to pandemic staff, and sophisticated air-handling units with improved ventilation. A total of 264 COVID-19 related admission occurred, with 113 confirmed cases and 1579 total cumulative bed days. Despite a limited understanding of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, no vaccination or anti-viral therapy, global shortages of particulate filter respirators and restricted testing during this period, only one probable nosocomial COVID-19 case occurred in a healthcare worker, with no nosocomial cases involving patients.

Conclusions

The RAH design and pandemic features complimented existing infection control interventions and was important in limiting nosocomial spread of SARS-CoV-2.

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为大流行而设计：通过医院设计和基础设施降低严重急性呼吸系统综合征冠状病毒2型传播的风险。

背景：描述新的皇家阿德莱德医院（RAH）的设计和基础设施特点，这些设计和特点有助于降低疫苗接种前和抗病毒前期间医院内严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2型（严重急性呼吸系统综合征冠状病毒）传播的风险。方法：对RAH的基础设施、设计和最初的疫情应对进行评估。还对2020年2月1日至2020年5月30日收治的所有确诊或疑似2019冠状病毒病（新冠肺炎）患者进行了回顾性审查，以评估传播风险。对疫情应对报告进行了审查，以确定医院内新冠肺炎的发作情况。结果：关键的基础设施特点包括带专用浴室的单人房、创建仅限大流行工作人员进入的大流行区域，以及改进通风的精密空气处理装置。共有264例新冠肺炎相关入院病例，确诊病例113例，累计床位1579天。尽管对严重急性呼吸系统综合征冠状病毒2型传播的了解有限，没有疫苗接种或抗病毒治疗，全球颗粒过滤器呼吸器短缺，在此期间检测受限，但只有一名医护人员出现了一例可能的新冠肺炎医院病例，没有涉及患者的医院病例。结论：RAH的设计和流行病特征补充了现有的感染控制干预措施，对限制严重急性呼吸系统综合征冠状病毒2型的医院传播很重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Infection Disease & Health PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-

CiteScore

5.70

自引率

5.70%

发文量

审稿时长

20 days

期刊介绍： The journal aims to be a platform for the publication and dissemination of knowledge in the area of infection and disease causing infection in humans. The journal is quarterly and publishes research, reviews, concise communications, commentary and other articles concerned with infection and disease affecting the health of an individual, organisation or population. The original and important articles in the journal investigate, report or discuss infection prevention and control; clinical, social, epidemiological or public health aspects of infectious disease; policy and planning for the control of infections; zoonoses; and vaccination related to disease in human health. Infection, Disease & Health provides a platform for the publication and dissemination of original knowledge at the nexus of the areas infection, Disease and health in a One Health context. One Health recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment. One Health encourages and advances the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines-working locally, nationally, and globally-to achieve the best health for people, animals, and our environment. This approach is fundamental because 6 out of every 10 infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic, or spread from animals. We would be expected to report or discuss infection prevention and control; clinical, social, epidemiological or public health aspects of infectious disease; policy and planning for the control of infections; zoonosis; and vaccination related to disease in human health. The Journal seeks to bring together knowledge from all specialties involved in infection research and clinical practice, and present the best work in this ever-changing field. The audience of the journal includes researchers, clinicians, health workers and public policy professionals concerned with infection, disease and health.