The investigators aim to develop expert consensus statements on infection control management of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in intensive care units (ICU).
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a considerable change in the infection control
protocols in the hospitals, especially ICU. The ICU management of these patients requires
robust infection control measures in order to prevent cross-transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (to
healthcare workers (HCWs) and other patients) and hospital acquired bacterial or fungal
infections. The understanding of epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and
pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) along with evidence on transmission of
SARS-COV-2 in controlled healthcare-setting is still evolving. The mode of transmission of
SARS-CoV-2 is airborne, through droplets or fomites. Respiratory interventions performed in
these patients in ICU, such as non-invasive ventilation, high flow nasal oxygen or tracheal
intubation are considered to be aerosol generating procedures and may lead to airborne
transmission of SARS-CoV-2. In the absence of the robust evidence, there are no specific
recommendations available on infection control of SARS-CoV-2 in ICU.
The objective of this study is to achieve consensus statements on the infection control
management of SARS-CoV-2 in ICU.
The whole process of this study will be done in the form of three-four rounds of Google
Forms-based Delphi surveys. The survey questionnaire, will be prepared by the investigators
after systematic search of available literature and concern areas in the infection control of
SARS-CoV-2 in ICU. The objective is to achieve consensus statements on the infection control
management of SARS-CoV-2 in ICU.
The survey questionnaire is divided into five sections: 1.Design and engineering
2.Health-care workers and visitors 3. Personal protective equipment 4. Patient and procedures
5. Disinfection and sterilisation.
The majority of these questionnaire statements are to be rated on Likert scale and others
have multiple choices. The participating experts comments and feedback will be collected
through comment section after each question in round one. All the subsequent surveys will be
iterative and the experts can give their opinion in each round using either open text or
directly to steering group of investigators.
Inclusion criteria for participants Health care professionals involved in the management of
COVID-19 patients with publications and expertise in infectious disease, infection control,
sepsis, respiratory failure or public health.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Those who do not accept the invitation or not meeting any of the inclusion criteria.
NMC Specialty Hospital
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Sheila Myatra, MD, Principal Investigator
Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India