Open AccessEffectiveness of an infection prevention strategy to limit exposure of high-risk patients to COVID-19 in a hospital-based subacute unit: a descriptive report
Author(s) -
Brian D. McBeth,
Sharad Dass,
Daljeet Rai,
Elizabeth Michelli
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of infection prevention
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.43
H-Index - 20
eISSN - 1757-1774
pISSN - 1757-1782
DOI - 10.1177/1757177420976814
Subject(s) - medicine , covid-19 , infection control , risk of infection , personal protective equipment , intensive care medicine , serology , disease , emergency medicine , infectious disease (medical specialty) , immunology , antibody , biology , genetics
The coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic has put unprecedented stress on hospitals as well as skilled nursing facilities, where reside some of the most vulnerable individuals at high risk of mortality and complications of this infection. This report highlights the strategy and success of hospital infection prevention efforts to protect the residents of an in-hospital subacute unit with 24 at-risk patients with chronic pulmonary disease in northern California. Specific efforts are detailed, with results of surveillance testing reported, including both viral PCR and serological IgG assays. Implications for other long-term subacute care facilities are discussed, as well as advantages and specific challenges for 'distinct part' versus 'free-standing' subacute care units.