Respiratory viruses in the patient environment

Abstract

Objective:To characterize the presence and magnitude of viruses in the air and on surfaces in the rooms of hospitalized patients with respiratory viral infections, and to explore the association between care activities and viral contamination.Design:Prospective observational study.Setting:Acute-care academic hospital.Participants:In total, 52 adult patients with a positive respiratory viral infection test within 3 days of observation participated. Healthcare workers (HCWs) were recruited in staff meetings and at the time of patient care, and 23 wore personal air-sampling devices.Methods:Viruses were measured in the air at a fixed location and in the personal breathing zone of HCWs. Predetermined environmental surfaces were sampled using premoistened Copan swabs at the beginning and at the end of the 3-hour observation period. Preamplification and quantitative real-time PCR methods were used to quantify viral pathogens.Results:Overall, 43% of stationary and 22% of personal air samples were positive for virus. Positive stationary air samples were associated with ≥5 HCW encounters during the observation period (odds ratio [OR], 5.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–37.8). Viruses were frequently detected on all of the surfaces sampled. Virus concentrations on the IV pole hanger and telephone were positively correlated with the number of contacts made by HCWs on those surfaces. The distributions of influenza, rhinoviruses, and other viruses in the environment were similar.Conclusions:Healthcare workers are at risk of contracting respiratory virus infections when delivering routine care for patients infected with the viruses, and they are at risk of disseminating virus because they touch virus-contaminated fomites.

Respiratory viruses on personal protective equipment and bodies of healthcare workers

“…Viral contamination on the isolation stethoscopes is reported elsewhere. 11 The proportions of positive samples were not statistically significantly different among the sites sampled (χ 2 P = .06). However, the distributions of virus concentrations were significantly different (KW P = .01).…”

“…The sample processing and analysis methodology has been reported elsewhere. 11 Briefly, preamplification and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were performed using assays for each target virus on triplicates of each sample to obtain the cycle threshold values. A sample was considered positive when, having undergone preamplification, a qPCR Ct value of ≤35 was obtained for at least 2 of the triplicate results.…”

Hygiene in der Anästhesie in Zeiten der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie

“…in 22 % der Proben Viren nachweisbar waren. Sämtliche geprüfte Kontaktoberflächen waren positiv für Virennachweise, wobei Flächen, die mehrheitlich vom medizinischen Personal und nicht von den Patienten selbst berührt wurden, stärker kontaminiert waren [6].…”

Hygiene in der Anästhesie in Zeiten der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie

“…So konnten Phan et al zeigen, dass in personenbezogenen Luftproben auf Einatemhöhe von medizinischem Personal bei der Routineversorgung von Patienten mit viralen Atemwegserkrankungen (darunter Influenza, Rhinoviren, respiratorisches Synzytial-Virus (RSV) und andere) in 22 % der Proben Viren nachweisbar waren. Sämtliche geprüfte Kontaktoberflächen waren positiv für Virennachweise, wobei Flächen, die mehrheitlich vom medizinischen Personal und nicht von den Patienten selbst berührt wurden, stärker kontaminiert waren [6].…”