Evaluation of Real and Perceived Risk to Health Care Workers Caring for Patients With the Omicron Variant of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Surgery and Obstetrics.
J Obstet Gynaecol Can
; 46(3): 102276, 2024 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37944819
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
The Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is described as more contagious than previous variants. We sought to assess risk to health care workers (HCWs) caring for patients with COVID-19 in surgical/obstetrical settings, and the perception of risk among this group.METHODS:
From January to April 2022, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral ribonucleic acid in patient, environmental (floor, equipment, passive air) samples, and HCWs' masks (inside surface) during urgent surgery or obstetrical delivery for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome was the proportion of HCWs' masks testing positive. Results were compared with our previous cross-sectional study involving obstetrical/surgical patients with earlier variants (2020-2021). HCWs completed a risk perception electronic questionnaire.RESULTS:
Eleven patients were included 3 vaginal births and 8 surgeries. In total, 5/108 samples (5%) tested positive (SARS-CoV-2 Omicron) viral ribonucleic acid 2/5 endotracheal tubes, 1/22 floor samples, 1/4 patient masks, and 1 nasal probe. No samples from the HCWs' masks (0/35), surgical equipment (0/10), and air (0/11) tested positive. No significant differences were found between the Omicron and 2020/21 patient groups' positivity rates (Mann-Whitney U test, P = 0.838) or the level of viral load from the nasopharyngeal swabs (P = 0.405). Nurses had a higher risk perception than physicians (P = 0.038).CONCLUSION:
No significant difference in contamination rates was found between SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and previous variants in surgical/obstetrical settings. This is reassuring as no HCW mask was positive and no HCW tested positive for COVID-19 post-exposure.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez
/
COVID-19
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Obstet Gynaecol Can
Assunto da revista:
GINECOLOGIA
/
OBSTETRICIA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article