Effect of Protective Measures on the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Eye Clinic Staff Members

Abstract

Background Switzerland was strongly affected by the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that resulted in a nationwide lockdown in March 2020. Ophthalmologists were at most risk of contracting a SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their close working distance from patients. The aim of the study is to evaluate the overall effectiveness of protective measures on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among employees in a large public eye hospital.

Material and Methods After lifting the lockdown in April 2020, standard precaution measures were taken, such as no handshaking and the use of operating face masks and a protective plastic shield on slit lamps and diagnostic devices. Only patients with no signs of SARS-CoV-2 disease were seen during the study period. Specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers were measured in eye clinic employees at the end of April 2020 (1st test phase) and in January 2021 (2nd test phase). The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers among employees with daily patient contact was compared to staff members with no patient contact.

Results The SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in employees with daily patient contact, with 0% in the 1st phase and 7.4% in the 2nd phase, was not significantly higher than the prevalence in the control group with no patient contact (0.9% in the 1st phase, p = 0.4; and 8.6% in the 2nd phase, p = 0.8). Furthermore, physicians were not at a significantly higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to technicians, nurses, or office staff.

Conclusions This study shows that the abovementioned precaution measurements are effective in preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in eye hospitals and enable us to resume practicing ophthalmology in a safe manner.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Die Schweiz wurde in der 1. Welle der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie stark getroffen und hatte im März 2020 einen nationalen Lockdown eingeführt. Ein besonders hohes Ansteckungsrisiko wurde bei Ophthalmolog*innen und Mitarbeitenden der Augenkliniken vermerkt, aufgrund des geringen räumlichen Abstands bei der Untersuchung der Patienten. Das Ziel der Studie ist es, die Wirksamkeit von Schutzmaßnahmen auf das Übertragungsrisiko einer SARS-CoV-2-Infektion auf die Mitarbeitenden einer großen Augenklinik zu beurteilen.

Material und Methoden Nach dem Aufheben des Lockdowns im April 2020 wurden viele Schutzmaßnahmen, wie z. B. das Tragen von Mund-Nase-Schutzmasken für alle Patienten und Mitarbeitenden, die Installation der Plastikschutzfolien an der Spaltlampe und diagnostischen Geräten, eingeführt sowie ein Verzicht auf Händeschütteln etabliert. Während der Studienzeit wurden ausschließlich asymptomatische, afebrile Patienten in der Augenklinik untersucht. Es erfolgte im April 2020 (1. Testphase) und im Januar 2021 (2. Testphase) eine Messung spezifischer Anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgG-Antikörper bei allen Mitarbeitenden der Augenkliniken. Es wurde die Prävalenz der SARS-CoV-2-IgG-Antikörper zwischen den Mitarbeitenden mit und ohne Patientenkontakt verglichen.

Resultate Die Prävalenz der SARS-CoV-2-IgG-Antikörper in Mitarbeitenden mit Patientenkontakt war im Vergleich zu Mitarbeitenden ohne Patientenkontakt sowohl in der 1. Testphase (0,0 vs. 0,9%; p = 0,4) als auch in der 2. Testphase (7,4 vs. 8,6%; p = 0,8) nicht signifikant unterschiedlich. Auch das ärztliche Personal war nicht häufiger betroffen als das restliche medizinische und nicht medizinische Personal. Die Prävalenz bei Mitarbeitenden mit einer privaten Exposition zu SARS-CoV-2 war signifikant höher als bei beruflicher Exposition.

Schlussfolgerung Unter Einhaltung der oben genannten Schutzmaßnahmen konnte gezeigt werden, dass ein vergleichbares Übertragungsrisiko einer SARS-CoV-2-Infektion bei Mitarbeitenden der Augenklinik mit und ohne direkten Patientenkontakt besteht. Ein höheres Ansteckungsrisiko wurde lediglich nach Exposition zu einer SARS-CoV-2-positiven Person im privaten Umfeld detektiert.

Key words

conjunctiva - infectious diseases - microbiology

Schlüsselwörter

Mikrobiologie - Infektiologie - Bindehaut

Publication History

Received: 26 September 2021

Accepted: 27 February 2022

Article published online:
26 April 2022

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