Differences in strategies for prevention of COVID-19 transmission in hospitals: nationwide survey results from the Republic of Korea

Abstract

BackgroundHospital infection control measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are often based on expert discretion due to the lack of detailed guidelines.AimTo survey the current strategies for preventing COVID-19 spread in medical institutions.MethodsThirteen key issues related to COVID-19 transmission prevention within medical institutions were selected via discussion among infectious diseases specialists, and related critical questions were subsequently obtained following a review of national-level guidelines in government databases. Six hospitals had an open survey between 11th and 25th August 2020 to provide responses to these topics. An online questionnaire developed from these data was sent to infection control teams of 46 South Korean hospitals between 31st January 2021 and 20th February 2021.FindingsAll 46 hospitals responded to the survey. All operated screening clinics, but 89.1% (41/46) allowed symptomatic patients without COVID-19-associated symptoms to visit the general outpatient clinics. Most hospitals (87.2%; 34/39) conducted PCR tests for all hospitalised patients. Of 35/46 (76.1%) hospitals with preemptive isolation policies for hospitalised patients, 31 (88.6%) released patients from isolation after a single negative PCR test while most (76.9%; 20/26) allowed shared-room accommodation for patients meeting the national criteria for release from isolation despite positive PCR results with above cycle threshold values (34.6%; 9/26) or after a certain period that satisfied the national criteria (26.9%; 7/26).ConclusionIndividual hospitals in South Korea are currently relying on experience to frame relevant guidelines and responded differently to some infection control issues on hospital settings during the COVID-19 pandemic.