Abstract
An important feature of COVID-19, the disease produced by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is the high number of health care workers (HCWs) that acquire the disease. In an initial report of 138 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia in China, 40 patients (29%) were HCWs. One reason why HCWs are at higher risk of acquiring COVID-19 is that some patients with COVID-19 are admitted to the hospital without the classical presentation and are therefore not tested for the disease early during hospitalization. Presently in the US, it is recommended to test for COVID-19 when physicians suspect the disease. This subjective approach may allow hospital transmission of COVID-19 from patients without the classical clinical presentation. The primary objective of this study is to establish a surveillance system for early identification of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 to allow for early implementation of infection control interventions in an attempt to prevent transmission of COVID-19 to HCWs and other hospitalized patients. We are proposing to test all patients who present to the emergency departments and/or are hospitalized with signs and symptoms of respiratory infection or gastrointestinal infection for SARS-CoV-2, regardless of clinical suspicion of COVID-19. Biological samples obtained from all patients having symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infection will be tested using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of SARS-CoV-2. Using a robotic instrument, the CMP laboratory will be able to test more than 500 samples a day. Data will be reported in real-time to participating hospitals for rapid implementation of infection control measures.
Highlights
Introduction and RationaleThe reliability of the healthcare system is a critical component in the fight against new pandemics
An important feature of COVID-19, the disease produced by the new coronavirus SARSCoV-2, is the high number of health care workers (HCWs) that acquire the disease
In an initial report of 138 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia in China, 40 patients (29%) were HCWs
Summary
The reliability of the healthcare system is a critical component in the fight against new pandemics. In the Louisville Coronavirus Surveillance Program, we are proposing to remove the subjective nature of testing and instead test for SARS-CoV-2 all patients in the emergency department with signs and symptoms of respiratory infection or gastrointestinal infection, regardless of clinical suspicion of COVID-19. Some of these patients will be hospitalized and others will be discharged home. The information will be shared community-wide through select University of Louisville digital channels
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