COVID-19 infection rate among tertiary referral center otorhinolaryngology healthcare workers

Kasper Møller Boje Rasmussen; Peter Anders Andersen; Hani Ibrahim Channir; Kasper Aanæs; Jenny Dahl Knudsen; Nikolai Søren Kirkeby; Mads Klokker; Christian von Buchwald; Per Cayé-Thomasen; Ramon Gordon Jensen

doi:10.1007/s00405-021-06615-w

COVID-19 infection rate among tertiary referral center otorhinolaryngology healthcare workers

Kasper Møller Boje Rasmussen, Peter Anders Andersen, Hani Ibrahim Channir, Kasper Aanæs, Jenny Dahl Knudsen, Nikolai Søren Kirkeby, Mads Klokker, Christian von Buchwald, Per Cayé-Thomasen, Ramon Gordon Jensen

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Otorhinolaryngology is considered one of the medical specialties with a high risk for exposure to corona disease 2019 (COVID-19). Uncontrolled transmission in a hospital department poses a risk to both healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients.

OBJECTIVE: To monitor SARS-CoV-2 incidence, transmission, and antibody development among HCWs to identify high risk procedures, pathways, and work areas within the department.

METHODS: Prospective cohort study of HCWs using repetitive oro- and nasopharygeal swab samples, antibody tests, and self-reported symptoms questionnaires at a tertiary referral center in Copenhagen, Denmark.

RESULTS: 347/361 (96%) HCWs participated. Seven (1.9%) were positive on swab tests and none had symptoms. Fifteen (4.2%) developed antibodies. Only one case of potential transmission between HCWs was identified. Infection rates were low and no procedures or areas within the department were identified as exposing HCWs to a higher risk.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Adherence to the surveillance program was high. The low incidence among HCW during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic may reflect local transmission and infection control precautions, as well as a low infectious burden in the Danish society.

Original language	English
Journal	European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Volume	278
Issue number	8
Pages (from-to)	3091-3098
Number of pages	8
ISSN	0003-9195
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-06615-w
Publication status	Published - Aug 2021

Keywords

Coronavirus
COVID-19
Healthcare worker
Otorhinolaryngology
Protective measures
SARS-CoV-2

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10.1007/s00405-021-06615-w

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Rasmussen, K. M. B., Andersen, P. A., Channir, H. I., Aanæs, K., Knudsen, J. D., Kirkeby, N. S., Klokker, M., von Buchwald, C., Cayé-Thomasen, P., & Jensen, R. G. (2021). COVID-19 infection rate among tertiary referral center otorhinolaryngology healthcare workers. European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 278(8), 3091-3098. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-06615-w

COVID-19 infection rate among tertiary referral center otorhinolaryngology healthcare workers. / Rasmussen, Kasper Møller Boje; Andersen, Peter Anders; Channir, Hani Ibrahim et al.
In: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Vol. 278, No. 8, 08.2021, p. 3091-3098.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Rasmussen, KMB, Andersen, PA, Channir, HI , Aanæs, K , Knudsen, JD , Kirkeby, NS , Klokker, M , von Buchwald, C , Cayé-Thomasen, P & Jensen, RG 2021, 'COVID-19 infection rate among tertiary referral center otorhinolaryngology healthcare workers', European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, vol. 278, no. 8, pp. 3091-3098. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-06615-w

Rasmussen KMB, Andersen PA, Channir HI , Aanæs K , Knudsen JD , Kirkeby NS et al. COVID-19 infection rate among tertiary referral center otorhinolaryngology healthcare workers. European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. 2021 Aug;278(8):3091-3098. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-06615-w

Rasmussen, Kasper Møller Boje ; Andersen, Peter Anders ; Channir, Hani Ibrahim et al. / COVID-19 infection rate among tertiary referral center otorhinolaryngology healthcare workers. In: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. 2021 ; Vol. 278, No. 8. pp. 3091-3098.

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abstract = "IMPORTANCE: Otorhinolaryngology is considered one of the medical specialties with a high risk for exposure to corona disease 2019 (COVID-19). Uncontrolled transmission in a hospital department poses a risk to both healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients.OBJECTIVE: To monitor SARS-CoV-2 incidence, transmission, and antibody development among HCWs to identify high risk procedures, pathways, and work areas within the department.METHODS: Prospective cohort study of HCWs using repetitive oro- and nasopharygeal swab samples, antibody tests, and self-reported symptoms questionnaires at a tertiary referral center in Copenhagen, Denmark.RESULTS: 347/361 (96\%) HCWs participated. Seven (1.9\%) were positive on swab tests and none had symptoms. Fifteen (4.2\%) developed antibodies. Only one case of potential transmission between HCWs was identified. Infection rates were low and no procedures or areas within the department were identified as exposing HCWs to a higher risk.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Adherence to the surveillance program was high. The low incidence among HCW during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic may reflect local transmission and infection control precautions, as well as a low infectious burden in the Danish society.",

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AU - Rasmussen, Kasper Møller Boje

AU - Andersen, Peter Anders

AU - Channir, Hani Ibrahim

AU - Aanæs, Kasper

AU - Knudsen, Jenny Dahl

AU - Kirkeby, Nikolai Søren

AU - Klokker, Mads

AU - von Buchwald, Christian

AU - Cayé-Thomasen, Per

AU - Jensen, Ramon Gordon

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N2 - IMPORTANCE: Otorhinolaryngology is considered one of the medical specialties with a high risk for exposure to corona disease 2019 (COVID-19). Uncontrolled transmission in a hospital department poses a risk to both healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients.OBJECTIVE: To monitor SARS-CoV-2 incidence, transmission, and antibody development among HCWs to identify high risk procedures, pathways, and work areas within the department.METHODS: Prospective cohort study of HCWs using repetitive oro- and nasopharygeal swab samples, antibody tests, and self-reported symptoms questionnaires at a tertiary referral center in Copenhagen, Denmark.RESULTS: 347/361 (96%) HCWs participated. Seven (1.9%) were positive on swab tests and none had symptoms. Fifteen (4.2%) developed antibodies. Only one case of potential transmission between HCWs was identified. Infection rates were low and no procedures or areas within the department were identified as exposing HCWs to a higher risk.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Adherence to the surveillance program was high. The low incidence among HCW during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic may reflect local transmission and infection control precautions, as well as a low infectious burden in the Danish society.

AB - IMPORTANCE: Otorhinolaryngology is considered one of the medical specialties with a high risk for exposure to corona disease 2019 (COVID-19). Uncontrolled transmission in a hospital department poses a risk to both healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients.OBJECTIVE: To monitor SARS-CoV-2 incidence, transmission, and antibody development among HCWs to identify high risk procedures, pathways, and work areas within the department.METHODS: Prospective cohort study of HCWs using repetitive oro- and nasopharygeal swab samples, antibody tests, and self-reported symptoms questionnaires at a tertiary referral center in Copenhagen, Denmark.RESULTS: 347/361 (96%) HCWs participated. Seven (1.9%) were positive on swab tests and none had symptoms. Fifteen (4.2%) developed antibodies. Only one case of potential transmission between HCWs was identified. Infection rates were low and no procedures or areas within the department were identified as exposing HCWs to a higher risk.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Adherence to the surveillance program was high. The low incidence among HCW during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic may reflect local transmission and infection control precautions, as well as a low infectious burden in the Danish society.

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ER -

COVID-19 infection rate among tertiary referral center otorhinolaryngology healthcare workers

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