How to Manage the COVID-19 Diffusion in the Angiography Suite: Experiences and Results of an Italian Interventional Radiology Unit

• DOI: 10.28991/scimedj-2020-02-si-1
• Publication Date: 2020-08-08T16:52:21Z
• Authors: Marcello Andrea T...; Elena Lucertini; Gianluigi Orgera; Aleksejs Zolovkins; Florindo Lauirno; Edoardo Ronconi; Andrea Pisano; Patrizia Carmela ...; Andrea Laghi; Michele Rossi
• Keywords: Pandemic; Interventional radiology

Introduction: The management of the diffusion Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents a massive problem for healthcare systems worldwide and Interventional Radiology (IR) is fundamental hospital unit which must continue to provide its service. aim this article summarize preventive measures taken in our IR report results these over 7 weeks period. Material Methods: Between 25th February, when we started apply recommended containing measures, 6th April 2020, all staff undergo nasopharyngeal oropharyngeal swabs screening, total 25 operators worked at unit. Operators who, during period, also other units such as diagnostic emergency department or facilities, were excluded. Nasopharyngeal screening blood samples specific SARS-CoV-2 IgG-IgM retrospectively evaluated. Results: overall procedures number decreased by rate 33% twenty-three (16%) performed confirmed strongly suspected COVID-19 patients. Two non-suspected ones, who revealed positive following hospitalization days. Seventeen included study. Only one them resulted swabs, with an estimated infection 6%. Specific negative included. Conclusion: Our experience demonstrates that applying adequate limit spread can efficiently reduce viral transmission among workers.