Assessing COVID-19 transmission risk: Roommate and unit mate exposures at an inpatient behavioral health facility
Inpatient psychiatric facilities have an increased risk of infection transmission. This study evaluated the impact of roommate and unit mate exposures on coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) transmission to inform isolation practices. A single-center retrospective study was conducted among patients h...
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| Published in: | American journal of infection control |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
United States
Elsevier Inc
14-09-2024
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Inpatient psychiatric facilities have an increased risk of infection transmission. This study evaluated the impact of roommate and unit mate exposures on coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) transmission to inform isolation practices.
A single-center retrospective study was conducted among patients hospitalized in an inpatient behavioral health hospital from July 2020 through August 2023. We compared the risk of COVID-19 acquisition after exposure among patients with a contagious roommate versus those exposed to a contagious unit mate.
During the study period, the conversion rate was 10.05% overall, 24.4% for roommates, and 9.3% for unit mates; patients exposed to a roommate were at 3.14 times higher odds (95% confidence interval, 1.42-6.92) of acquiring COVID-19 after exposure. On unit-stratified analysis, patients exposed to a roommate on the geropsychiatric unit had the highest risk of postexposure conversion compared with unit mate exposed patients (odds ratio 6.38, 95% confidence interval 1.75-23.22). Logistic regression analysis identified a nonsignificant risk associated with increased time in group therapy.
Exposure to a COVID-19-contagious roommate significantly increases the risk of COVID-19 acquisition among exposed patients receiving inpatient psychiatric care. Cohorting contagious and exposed individuals and avoiding multibedded rooms may mitigate COVID-19 transmission risk during psychiatric care.
•Analysis of psychiatric inpatients exposed to a roommate or unit mate with COVID-19.•In total, 46 conversions occurred following 427 exposures (10.8%).•Exposed roommates were at 3.14 times higher odds of conversion than unit mates.•Time in group therapy was not associated with significant acquisition risk.•Prevention measures successfully mitigate COVID-19 risk during psychiatric care. |
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| Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
| ISSN: | 0196-6553 1527-3296 1527-3296 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.09.003 |