Objectives To compile current published reports on nosocomial outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), evaluate the role of healthcare workers (HCWs) in transmission, and evaluate outbreak management practices. Methods Narrative literature review. Short conclusion The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed a large burden on hospitals and healthcare providers worldwide, which increases the risk of nosocomial transmission and outbreaks to “non-COVID” patients or residents, who represent the highest-risk population in terms of mortality, as well as HCWs. To date, there are several reports on nosocomial outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2, and although the attack rate is variable, it can be as high as 60%, with high mortality. There is currently little evidence on transmission dynamics, particularly using genomic sequencing, and the role of HCWs in initiating or amplifying nosocomial outbreaks is not elucidated. There has been a paradigm shift in management practices of viral respiratory outbreaks, that includes widespread testing of patients (or residents) and HCWs, including asymptomatic individuals. These expanded testing criteria appear to be crucial in identifying and controlling outbreaks.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Healthcare-associated infection, Infection prevention and control, Nosocomial outbreaks, 【초록키워드】 coronavirus disease, coronavirus, pandemic, Mortality, hospital, nosocomial, risk, Transmission, healthcare worker, Outbreaks, Asymptomatic individuals, outbreak, HCWs, attack rate, management, Patient, Transmission dynamics, nosocomial outbreak, genomic sequencing, Evidence, criteria, HCW, literature review, acute respiratory syndrome, Healthcare provider, high mortality, narrative, widespread, objective, evaluate, include, amplifying, increase, viral respiratory, 【제목키워드】 coronavirus disease, healthcare worker, outbreak, Patient, Nosocomial transmission, PROTECT,