Nosocomial Transmission of SARS CoV-2 in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective The study aimed to determine the frequency of nosocomial transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) in a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan. Methodology This cross sectional, analytical study was carried out in Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan from 1st June 2021 to 31st August 2021. Consecutive patients aged 18 years and above admitted for conditions other than COVID-19 with a negative rapid antigen test for COVID-19 at admission were included. Patients with respiratory symptoms or those who were hospitalized for any reason in the preceding six weeks in any health care facility were excluded. The study protocol was completed by 90.9% of participants. The rapid antigen test was repeated for participants at the time of discharge or symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. Patients with a positive rapid antigen test for COVID-19 either at the time of discharge or symptom onset were considered to have acquired nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21 for Windows was used for data analysis. Results The frequency of nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was 2.7% (13/482). Patients with nosocomial COVID-19 stayed longer in the hospital than those who tested negative (7.5±4.0 versus 4.8±3.6 days; p=0.006). Age (p=0.796), gender (p=0.453), department of inpatient stay (p=0.943), major surgery (p=0.678), minor surgery (p=0.576), and visit to the radiology department (p=0.707) did not affect nosocomial spread of SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion Nosocomial transmission of COVID-19 was infrequent, accounting for 2.7% of participants in this study.