May 13, 2021

Evaluation of Healthcare Personnel Exposures to Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Associated with Personal Protective Equipment Use

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

Keywords (Tags): health care setting, health care workers

• Lack of eye protection during the care of a COVID-19 patient was associated with test positivity for SARS-CoV-2 infection (RR=10) among 345 healthcare personnel (HCP) who sustained significant occupational exposure to COVID-19 patients in a tertiary care center in Minnesota from May to November 2020. While the most common reason for significant exposure was use of a surgical facemask in place of a respirator during aerosol generating procedures, this was not associated with test positivity. 2.3% (8 of 345) of HCP tested positive during the study period.

Shah et al. (May 12, 2021). Evaluation of Healthcare Personnel Exposures to Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Associated with Personal Protective Equipment Use. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2021.219