17th BANTAO Congress, Antalya, Türkiye, 10 - 13 Kasım 2022, ss.27, (Özet Bildiri)
Introduction: The novel type of coronavirus; Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for Covid-19
infection. Covid-19 transmission risk is very high in indoor crowded places
such as hemodialysis centers. We aimed to investigate transmission risk and
outcomes of Covid-19 in a hemodialysis center for both patients and
medical/support personnel.
Methods: The hemodialysis center has 247 patients, and 45
personnel (22 healthcare workers, 23 supporting personnel). Hemodialysis
patients and the personnel were screened with the SARS CoV-2 PCR test to detect
Covid-19. The transmission risk of
Covid-19 was investigated by determining the patient layout of infected
patients in the dialysis rooms. The rate of Covid-19 infection mediated
hospitalization, viral pneumonia, and mortality in the patients and personnel
were determined.
Results: The rate of Covid-19 infection was 46,7% (n=21)
among the personnel. Three of them had pneumonia, and need hospitalization. No
mortality was observed. The incidence of Covid-19 was 16.5% (n=41) among the
hemodialysis patients, the mean age of the patients was 61.6 years. Viral
pneumonia was diagnosed in 36 (88%) of 41 patients. Hospitalization and
mortality rate was very high; 78% and 14,6% respectively. The mean age of six
patients with mortality was 67.8 years, while 60.1 years in the recovered
patients (p=0.041). In the evaluation of the dialysis rooms; the busiest room
of the center has the 28% of the total dialysis patients (n=70) and almost half
of all cases of Covid-19 infections (n=19) were determined there.
Discussion: ESRD patients undergoing intermittent
hemodialysis treatment and personnel in dialysis centers have a high risk of
transmission regarding Covid-19 infection. Not the personnel but the dialysis
patients have an increased rate of viral pneumonia, hospitalization, and most
importantly, mortality than the general population. Strict measures and
precautions are needed to reduce the risk of transmission in hemodialysis
centers.