Survey on one event of SARS nosocomial infection in a general hospital in Beijing

    HE Yao, JIANG Yong, NI Bing, XING Yuª²Bin, ZHONG Guangª²Lin, FEI Yeª²Chun, WANG Lei, SUN Zhengª²Ji, CHANG Qing, SUO Jiª²Jiang, CHEN Shiª²Ping, LIU Zhenª²Li, SU Yuanª²Fu, ZHU Shiª²Jun

    1Institute of Geriatrics, 2Institute of Hospital Administration, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To study the epidemiological characteristics and route of transmission of SARS nosocomial infection. METHODS: Thirtyª²four definite SARS patients (10 inpatients and 24 health care workers) were selected from a general hospital in March and April of 2003. Individual and environment surveys were carried out by a standardized questionnaire of China CDC. Contact history with SARS patient, place and route of infection, and method of protection were included in the survey. RESULTS: (1) Epidemiological characteristics: ¢Ù There were 2 peaks of incidence (in mid and end of Mar). ¢Ú Distributions by places were confined to Ward 4, 5, 6 on the 7, 8, 12, 13 and 14 floors in west unit of the inpatient building. ¢Û Among the SARS cases, the inpatients were most elders who had severe original diseases, while the medical staffs were young and middleª²aged. (2) Source of transmission: Index patients were the first generation source of transmission, and the secondary attacked inpatients and medical staffs were the second generation. (3) Route of transmission: The major transmission routes were near space droplet infection and close contact infection. There was also the probability of aerosol or droplet nuclei infection through airª²condition and ventilation system. (4) Evaluation of measures of prevention and control: Many measures were carried out, such as control and isolation of the source of transmission, setup of fever clinic and medical observation area, isolation and medical observation of suspected cases, ventilation and disinfection of the ward area, banning of freshª²air system and outside visits and strong selfª²prevention for medical staff, and the nosocomial infection was under control eventually. CONCLUSION: Nosocomial infection is the main epidemic form of SARS in the early stage. Health care workers and inpatients in hospitals are the high risk population of SARS. Nosocomial infection of SARS can be prevented and controlled by a series of the efficient measures. More epidemiological and experimental studies on the long distance aerosol transmission of SARS should be conducted in the future. ......