Nosocomial infection of COVID‑19: A new challenge for healthcare professionals (Review)

Int J Mol Med. 2021 Apr;47(4):31. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.4864. Epub 2021 Feb 4.

Abstract

Nosocomial infections, also known as hospital-acquired infections, pose a serious challenge to healthcare professionals globally during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) pandemic. Nosocomial infection of COVID‑19 directly impacts the quality of life of patients, as well as results in extra expenditure to hospitals. It has been shown that COVID‑19 is more likely to transmit via close, unprotected contact with infected patients. Additionally, current preventative and containment measures tend to overlook asymptomatic individuals and superspreading events. Since the mode of transmission and real origin of COVID‑19 in hospitals has not been fully elucidated yet, minimizing nosocomial infection in hospitals remains a difficult but urgent task for healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals globally should form an alliance against nosocomial COVID‑19 infections. The fight against COVID‑19 may provide valuable lessons for the future prevention and control of nosocomial infections. The present review will discuss some of the key strategies to prevent and control hospital‑based nosocomial COVID‑19 infections.

Keywords: nosocomial infection; healthcare professionals; prevention and control.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asymptomatic Infections
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 / transmission
  • China
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Cross Infection / transmission
  • Disinfection
  • Hand Hygiene
  • Health Personnel*
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Medical Waste Disposal
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Quality of Life

Substances

  • Medical Waste Disposal

Grants and funding

This study was supported by grants from the Department of Science and Technology of Sichuan Province (grant no. 20YFS0435), the Health Care of Sichuan Provincial cadres (grant no. 2020-227) and the Science & Technology Bureau of Chengdu (grant nos. YF05-00198-SN and YF05-00060-SN).