Infection Control against COVID-19 in Departments of Radiology

Abstract

The COVID-19 epidemic, which is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has spread rapidly to become a world-wide pandemic. Chest radiography and chest CT are frequently used to support the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. However, multiple cases of COVID-19 transmission in radiology department have been reported. Here we summarize the lessons we learned and provide suggestions to improve the infection control and prevention practices of healthcare workers in departments of radiology.

Keywords: COVID-19; Infection control; Radiology department; SARS-CoV-2.

Figure 1

Patient diagnosis and treatment flowchart. Red arrows indicate the dedicated passage. All patients are triaged at the triage desk near the hospital entrance. Patients who meet at least one of the epidemiological criteria or have a fever go through a dedicated passage to the fever clinic. Doctor collects detailed medical history and takes blood and throat swap samples. Patients then go through the dedicated passage to the radiology department for examination. Patients who are assigned to other departments have their temperature examined and report their exposure history again at the nurse station. Suspected patients identified at nurse station go through the dedicated passage to the fever clinic. (Color version of figure is available online.)

Figure 2

The postexposure procedure of medical staff. Exposed medical staff report the incidence immediately and conduct isolation for 21 days. They are allowed to return to work only after cleaned of the possibility of infection. (exposed medical staff).