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. 2019 Apr;47(4):431-434.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.09.015. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Infection control influence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: A hospital-based analysis

Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq  1 , Rana Abdrabalnabi  2 , Alla Taher  2 , Shantymole Mathew  2 , Kamal Abdul Rahman  2
Affiliations

Infection control influence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: A hospital-based analysis

Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq et al. Am J Infect Control. 2019 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) caused multiple outbreaks. Such outbreaks increase economic and infection control burdens. We studied the infection control influence of MERS-CoV using a hospital-based analysis.

Methods: Our hospital had 17 positive and 82 negative cases of MERS-CoV between April 1, 2013, and June 3, 2013. The study evaluated the impact of these cases on the use of gloves, surgical masks, N95 respirators, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and soap, as well as hand hygiene compliance rates.

Results: During the study, the use of personal protective equipment during MERS-CoV compared with theperiod before MERS-CoV increased dramatically from 2,947.4 to 10,283.9 per 1,000 patient-days (P<.0000001) for surgical masks and from 22 to 232 per 1,000 patient-days (P <.0000001) for N95 masks. The use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer and soap showed a significant increase in utilized amount (P<.0000001). Hand hygiene compliance rates increased from 73% just before the occurrence of the first MERS case to 88% during MERS cases (P = .0001). The monthly added cost was $16,400 for included infection control items.

Conclusions: There was a significant increase in the utilization of surgical masks, respirators, soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Such an increase is a challenge and adds cost to the healthcare system.

Keywords: Cost; Economic impact; Healthcare; MERS; Personal Protective Equipment.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1
A run chart showing the utilization of surgical masks (solid line) and respirators (dashed line) in the period before Middle East respiratory syndrome cases (May 2012 to March 2013) and during Middle East respiratory syndrome cases (April to July 2013).
Fig 2.
Fig 2
A run chart showing the utilization of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (solid line) and soap (dashed line) in the period before Middle East respiratory syndrome cases (May 2012 to March 2013) and during Middle East respiratory syndrome cases (April to July 2013).
Fig 3.
Fig 3
A run chart showing hand hygiene compliance rates in the period before Middle East respiratory syndrome cases (May 2012 to March 2013) and during Middle East respiratory syndrome cases (April to July 2013). UCL, Upper Control Limits; LCL, lower control limits.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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