SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Intensive Care Unit Healthcare Workers in Turkey: A Tertiary Center Cohort Study

Abstract

Aim: Intensive care unit (ICU) workers have a greater risk of being infected due to procedures requiring intensive contact with the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patient. We aimed to explain how we applied the protection of healthcare workers against the contagion of COVID-19 infection in the ICU of a university hospital. Methods: The study was performed in ICUs of the Gortepe Training Research Hospital with 650 beds which was affiliated to Medeniyet University in Istanbul, Turkey. We recorded the number of COVID-19 patients. We also recorded ICU workers (doctor, nurse, and others), and their working layouts. The frequency of the contagion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) to ICU workers was investigated. We also evaluated precautions for the prevention and evaluated the arrangement of ICUs for COVID-19 patients. Results: Between March 17th 2020 and May 26th 2020 totaly, a total of 120 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were treated in ICUs. Laboratory confirmed COVID-19 was detected in only one health-care worker in ICUs. Conclusion: Our experience showed that the correct and proper use of personal protective equipment according to the protocols are effective in protecting ICU workers against the contagion of SARS-CoV-2.