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. 2022 Dec 2;12(12):2011.
doi: 10.3390/life12122011.

The Implementation of a Health Care Worker Screening Program Based on the Advanta RT-qPCR Saliva Assay in a Tertiary Care Referral Hospital in Northern Greece

Sofia Balaska  1 , Eleftheria Parasidou  1 , Anna Takardaki  1 , Paraskevoula Koutra  1 , Dimitra Chrysafi  1 , Areti Tychala  1 , Simeon Metallidis  2 , Georgios Meletis  1 , Lemonia Skoura  1
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The Implementation of a Health Care Worker Screening Program Based on the Advanta RT-qPCR Saliva Assay in a Tertiary Care Referral Hospital in Northern Greece

Sofia Balaska et al. Life (Basel). .

Abstract

Health care workers are at increased risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection due to different exposures in the community and in hospital settings. Interventions implemented to avoid nosocomial outbreaks include preventive testing strategies. In this report, we present results from the mass screening program applied in our hospital to all professionals, irrespective of symptoms or risk of exposure. We processed saliva specimens with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The total number of samples received was 43,726. Positive results were 672 and average positivity rate was 1.21%. The average positivity rate was similar to the positivity rate in the community in Greece and EU. More specifically, 80.5% of the positive participants care for patients in their daily activities, 31% experienced no symptoms before receiving the positive result, 46.1% reported a close contact with a patient or infected coworkers and 32.8% reported a close contact with infected family members. We believe that the identification of asymptomatic carriers has proved the effectiveness of the screening program by preventing the putative nosocomial spread of the virus and the depletion of workforce. In conclusion, in times of high incidence in the community, the periodic testing of health care personnel is wise and relevant for implementation costs.

Keywords: COVID-19; RT-qPCR; SARS-CoV-2; health care workers; saliva; screening.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graphical display of positivity rate % per month.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Graphical display of positivity rate % per month in AHEPA HCWs, Greece and EU/EEA.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Asymptomatic personnel in front line (caring for patients).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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