Transmission of SARS to healthcare workers. The experience of a Hong Kong ICU.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the extent and temporal pattern of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) to intensive care unit staff.


METHODS
Retrospective observational cohort study.


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


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


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


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 admission of the first patient with SARS. Doctors were exposed to patients with SARS for a median (IQR) of 284 (97-376) h, while nurses and healthcare assistants were exposed for a median (IQR) of 119 (57-166) h. The ICU did not meet international standards for physical space or ventilation.


CONCLUSIONS
In an ICU in which infection control procedures are rigorously applied, the risk to staff of contracting SARS from patients is low, despite long staff exposure times and a sub-standard physical environment.
Gomersall
Charles D
CD
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China. gomersall@cuhk.edu.hk
Joynt
Gavin M
GM
Ho
Oi Man
OM
Ip
Margaret
M
Yap
Florence
F
Derrick
James L
JL
Leung
Patricia
P
D015331:Cohort Studies; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*