SARS among Critical Care Nurses, Toronto
subject: SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Critical care, Risk factors, Respiratory protective devices, Masks
description: To determine factors that predispose or protect healthcare workers from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), we conducted a retrospective cohort study among 43 nurses who worked in two Toronto critical care units with SARS patients. Eight of 32 nurses who entered a SARS patient’s room were infected. The probability of SARS infection was 6% per shift worked. Assisting during intubation, suctioning before intubation, and manipulating the oxygen mask were high-risk activities. Consistently wearing a mask (either surgical or particulate respirator type N95) while caring for a SARS patient was protective for the nurses, and consistent use of the N95 mask was more protective than not wearing a mask. Risk was reduced by consistent use of a surgical mask, but not significantly. Risk was lower with consistent use of a N95 mask than with consistent use of a surgical mask. We conclude that activities related to intubation increase SARS risk and use of a mask (particularly a N95 mask) is protective.
creator: Mark B. Loeb, Allison McGeer, Bonnie Henry, Marianna Ofner, David Rose, Tammy Hlywka, Joanne Levie, Jane McQueen, Stephanie Smith, Lorraine Moss, Andrew Smith, Karen Green, Stephen D. Walter
source: Emerging Infectious Diseases
publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
date: 2004
language: EN
identifier: DOI: 10.3201/eid1002.030838
coverage: Infectious and parasitic diseases, Medicine