Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare personnel after the implementation of a protocol for managing personal protective equipment

Authors

  • Emilio Rubén Pego Pérez Enfermero, PhD, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. Sanatorio Nosa Señora dos Ollos Grandes, Lugo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5515-9172
  • Rebeca Iglesias Barreira Farmacéutica, MSc. Sanatorio Nosa Señora dos Ollos Grandes, Lugo
  • Cristina López Pardo y Pardo Farmacéutica, MSc. Sanatorio Nosa Señora dos Ollos Grandes, Lugo

Keywords:

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Prevalence, Health Personnel, Personal Protective Equipment

Abstract

Background: At the end of December 2019, the Chinese city of Wuhan reported a new pneumonia caused by the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus COVID-19. By March 2020, more than 720,000 cases and 33,000 deaths attributable to this disease had been confirmed. The proper use of personal protective equipment reduced the risk of infection to a moderate level among healthcare personnel.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of infection in healthcare personnel who have been in contact with possible or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in our center, compare this prevalence with the national prevalence in Spain, and explore the mechanism of infection in healthcare personnel.

Method: Observational, descriptive, and retrospective study conducted from March 16 to May 11, 2020, on healthcare personnel attending patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2. The diagnosis of positive SARS-CoV-2 infection was established through clinical anamnesis, polymerase chain reaction, and serological determination of IgG and IgM.

Results: 100% of healthcare personnel complied with the protocol after its implementation, and 3.7% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The national prevalence of infection was 24.1%. The mechanism and origin of the infection in healthcare personnel could not be established; however, the two infected professionals had used N95 respiratory protection masks withdrawn by health authorities during a one-week period.

Conclusion: The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare personnel was 3.7%, lower than the prevalence in the rest of the country. The mechanism of infection could not be determined.

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References

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Published

2025-08-28

How to Cite

Pego Pérez, E. R., Iglesias Barreira, R., & López Pardo y Pardo, C. (2025). Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare personnel after the implementation of a protocol for managing personal protective equipment. Revista Enfermeir@s, 2(41), 75–79. Retrieved from https://www.enfermerialugo.org/revista/index.php/enfermeiraos/article/view/119

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 41 (2023): Enfermeir@s. Journal of the Illustrious Official College of Nursing of Lugo

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Original Articles in Health Sciences

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