Personal protective equipment and adherence to disinfection protocols are essential to prevent nosocomial severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. Here, we evaluated infection control measures in a prospective longitudinal single-center study at the Vienna General Hospital, the biggest tertiary care center in Austria, with a structurally planned low SARS-CoV-2 exposure. SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were assessed by Abbott ARCHITECT chemiluminescent assay (CLIA) in 599 health care workers (HCWs) at the start of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in early April and two months later. Neutralization assay confirmed CLIA-positive samples. A structured questionnaire was completed at both visits assessing demographic parameters, family situation, travel history, occupational coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure, and personal protective equipment handling. At the first visit, 6 of 599 participants (1%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies. The seroprevalence increased to 1.5% (8/553) at the second visit and did not differ depending on the working environment. Unprotected SARS-CoV-2 exposure ( p = 0.003), positively tested family members ( p = 0.04), and travel history ( p = 0.09) were more frequently reported by positively tested HCWs. Odds for COVID-19 related symptoms were highest for congestion or runny nose ( p = 0.002) and altered taste or smell ( p < 0.001). In conclusion, prevention strategies proved feasible in reducing the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from patients and among HCWs in a low incidence hospital, not exceeding the one described in the general population.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, occupational health, Infection prevention and control, 【초록키워드】 coronavirus disease, CLIA, SARS-CoV-2, infection control, Personal protective equipment, coronavirus, protocol, equipment, hospital, nosocomial, Transmission, Symptom, Epidemic, HCWs, Vienna, Patient, Travel, Health care worker, General population, incidence, Care, parameters, SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, questionnaire, Protective, Chemiluminescent assay, Abbott, HCW, acute respiratory syndrome, SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody, measure, participant, single-center study, handling, positive, risk of transmission, Prevent, highest, not differ, tested, described, reported, evaluated, reducing, feasible, the SARS-CoV-2, were assessed, 【제목키워드】 Seroprevalence, Strategy, prevention, Control, longitudinal, center, Evaluating, Tertiary,