Transmission of SARS to healthcare workers. The experience of a Hong Kong ICU.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To describe the extent and temporal pattern of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) to intensive care unit staff.

Design

Retrospective observational cohort study.

Setting

University hospital intensive care unit, caring solely for patients with SARS or suspected to have SARS.

Participants

Thirty-five doctors and 152 nurses and healthcare assistants who worked in the ICU during the SARS epidemic.

Interventions

Infection control measures designed to prevent transmission of disease to staff were implemented.

Measurements and results

Sixty-seven patients with SARS were admitted to the intensive care unit. Four nurses and one healthcare assistant contracted SARS, with three of these developing symptoms within 10 days of adm

SUBMITTER: Gomersall CD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7079890 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature