Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening of asymptomatic healthcare workers in a low-prevalence setting: A single-center UK cohort study

Tariq Azamgarhi; Laura Maynard-Smith; Hannah Bysouth; Simon Warren

doi:10.1017/ash.2022.44

Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology (Jan 2022)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening of asymptomatic healthcare workers in a low-prevalence setting: A single-center UK cohort study

Tariq Azamgarhi,
Laura Maynard-Smith,
Hannah Bysouth,
Simon Warren

Affiliations

Tariq Azamgarhi: ORCiD; Pharmacy Department, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, United Kingdom
Laura Maynard-Smith: The Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
Hannah Bysouth: Infection Prevention and Control Department, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, United Kingdom
Simon Warren: ORCiD; The Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom Infection Prevention and Control Department, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, United Kingdom

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/ash.2022.44
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 2

Abstract

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In this cohort study of UK healthcare workers, we evaluated the use of fortnightly polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening to facilitate the safe resumption of elective surgery in a low-prevalence setting. We found that adherence to serial testing was poor, and the resource required to identify 1 asymptomatic case was substantial.

Published in Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology

ISSN: 2732-494X (Online)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Infectious and parasitic diseases; Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antimicrobial-stewardship-and-healthcare-epidemiology

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Abstract

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