A CASE SERIES OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS INFECTED SARS-COV-2 IN DURING INTUBATION PROCEDURE FOR COVID-19

Abstract

Objectives: Describe the sequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection from endotracheal intubation in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: Describe a cases series of Hoan My Thu Duc Hospital’s medical staffs who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 from an endotracheal intubation for a COVID-19 patient on August 2, 2021

Results: The chain of infection consists of 8 medical staffs, related to an emergency endotracheal intubation, including 5 staffs who were working directly with the patient and 3 other staffs who were in the same area at that time. Besides 5 staffs who were positive, there were 8 others also participated in the emergency but were not infected with SARS-CoV-2. Showering and changing protection equipment after resuscitating the patient, wearing PPE properly, N95 mask and hand washing frequently are important practices to reduce the risk of infection during work and social contact.

Conclusion: The importance of adhering to infection prevention and control regulations during aerosol-generating procedures in COVID-19 patients: reducing the number of participants, ensuring the correct use of N95 masks, practicing hand hygiene, and changing personal protective equipment immediately after performing aerosol-generating procedures.

Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, endotracheal intubation, epidemiology, healthcare staff