Management and infection control practices in a Taiwanese radiology department during the COVID-19 outbreak

Abstract

The radiology department was categorized as a "high risk area" during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 and is similarly considered a "high risk area" during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The purpose of infection control is to isolate patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 from uninfected people by utilizing separate equipment, spaces, and healthcare workers. Infection control measures should be prioritized to prevent the nosocomial spread of infection. We established a COVID-19 infection control team in our radiology department. The team's responsibilities include triaging patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, performing imaging and reporting, using dedicated equipment, disinfecting the equipment and the immediate environment, and staff scheduling.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; Guidelines; Infection control; Radiology.

Figure 1

High resolution CT scan of chest shows a focal ground glass opacity (arrow) at lower lobe of right lung in a COVID-19 patient with underlying disease of right-side breast cancer, status post operation and chemotherapy.

Figure 2

Illustration of the two zones in our department space. Within the ‘risk’ zone (coral), all staff should don secondary protection, eating and drinking are prohibited. In the ‘clean’ zone (lime), all staff should don primary protection. Exit routes (green, clean zone; apple, risk zone).