Optimized infection control practices augment the robust protective effect of vaccination for ESRD patients during a hemodialysis facility SARS-CoV-2 outbreak
Dialysis patient care poses infection control challenges due to high COVID19 risk.
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Rapid sequencing can confirm outbreaks, allowing focused investigation/remediation.
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Mandates are critical. Incomplete staff vaccination may facilitate transmission.
Background
While dialysis patients are at greater risk of serious SARS-CoV-2 complications, stringent infection prevention measures can help mitigate infection and transmission risks within dialysis facilities. We describe an outbreak of 14 cases diagnosed in a hospital-based outpatient ESRD facility over 13 days in the second quarter of 2021, and our coordinated use of epidemiology, viral genome sequencing, and infection control practices to quickly end the transmission cycle.
Methods
Symptomatic patients and staff members were diagnosed by RT-PCR. Facility-wide screening utilized SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests. SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences were obtained from residual diagnostic specimens.
Results
Of the 106 patients receiving dialysis in the facility, 10 were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection, as was 1 patient support person. Of 3 positive staff members, 2 were unvaccinated and had provided care for 6 and 4 of the affected patients, respectively. Sequencing demonstrated that all cases in the cluster shared an identical B.1.1.7./Alpha substrain. Attack rates were greatest among unvaccinated patients and staff. Vaccine effectiveness was 88% among patients.
Conclusions
Prompt recognition of an infection cluster and rapid intervention efforts successfully ended the outbreak. Alongside consistent adherence to core infection prevention measures, vaccination was highly effective in reducing disease incidence and morbidity in this vulnerable population.
Key Words
COVID19
Viral epidemiology
Genomics
Nosocomial transmission
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Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Funding/support: This work was supported by an Emergent Ventures Fast Grant [grant number 2243] to PK and by the Gundersen Medical Foundation. PK holds Dr Jon & Betty Kabara Endowed Chair in Precision Oncology.
Author contributions: P.A.K., C.S.R., B.L.P., A.P.S., M.E.M. Conception and Design. M.E.M., A.J.B., C.S.R., B.L.P., D.M.A., P.A.K. Acquisition and analysis of data. M.E.M., A.J.B., B.L.P., A.P.S., P.A.K. Drafting and revision of manuscript. All authors. Approval of final manuscript.