Environmental contamination in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) intensive care unit—What is the risk?

Abstract

Background: The risk of environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 in the intensive care unit (ICU) is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the extent of environmental contamination in the ICU and correlate this with patient and disease factors, including the impact of different ventilatory modalities. Methods: Observational study where surface environmental samples collected from ICU patient rooms and common areas were tested by SARS-CoV-2 PCR, with select samples from the common area tested on cell culture. Clinical data were collected and correlated to presence of environmental contamination. Results were compared to historical data from a previous study in general wards (GW). Results: 200 samples from 20 patient rooms, and 75 samples from common areas and the staff pantry, were tested. 14 rooms had at least one site contaminated, with an overall contamination rate of 14% (28 of 200 samples). Environmental contamination was not associated with day of illness, ventilatory mode, aerosol generating procedures, or viral load. There was lower frequency of environmental contamination in ICU compared to GW rooms. Eight samples from the common area were positive, though all were negative on cell culture. Conclusion: Environmental contamination in the ICU is lower compared to the GW. Use of mechanical ventilation or high-flow nasal oxygen was not associated with greater surface contamination, supporting their use and safety from an infection control perspective. Transmission risk via environmental surfaces in the ICUs is likely to be low. Nonetheless, infection control practices should be strictly reinforced, and transmission risk via droplet or airborne spread remains.

Protective reactions of ICU nurses providing care for patients with COVID-19: a qualitative study

“…Standard precautions included such measures as washing hands, using PPE, performing safe injections, and respiratory precautions. Being careful and observing the principles of personal protection in providing care made nurses assume responsibility for patient care without any fears, and fulfil their professional duties [8,20].…”

“…According to the World Health Organization approach, observing breathing and hand hygiene, and using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are appropriate for healthcare providers [6]. The National Center for Infectious Diseases has recommended that healthcare providers use gloves, gown, respiratory protections (disposable N95 respirators), goggles (disposable safety goggles and face protectors) when faced with a patient with known infection or suspected of COVID-19 [7,8]. Meanwhile, nurses and especially ICU nurses are at the frontline of the fight against Coronavirus and amid the crisis; the increasing number of hospitalized patients, shortage of nursing workforce, shortage of PPE, fear of being infected and transmitting the infection to family members concerns them and can affect how they care for patients [9].…”

Disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 Contaminated Surfaces of Personal Items with UVC-LED Disinfection Boxes

“…The encouraging results of the study make the UVC-LED boxes an affordable option for the public to disinfect a variety of items, including phones, watches, headphones, masks, and makeup utensils, as long as the item size fits the device. Because SARS-CoV-2 can also be detected on different surfaces in hospital environment [ 12 , 13 ], UVC-LED boxes might also be an effective tool for environmental decontamination in hospitals.…”

Disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 contaminated surfaces of personal items with UVC-LED disinfection boxes

“…These encouraging results make the UVC-LED boxes an affordable option for the public to disinfect a variety of items, including phones, watches, headphones, masks, makeup utensils, as long as the item size fits the device. As SARS-CoV-2 can also be detected on different surfaces in hospital environment (12,13), UVC-LED boxes might also be an effective tool for environmental decontamination in hospitals.…”