Infection Control for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a considerable change in the infection control protocols in the hospitals, especially ICU. The ICU management of these patients requires robust infection control measures in order to prevent cross-transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (to healthcare workers (HCWs) and other patients) and hospital acquired bacterial or fungal infections. The understanding of epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) along with evidence on transmission of SARS-COV-2 in controlled healthcare-setting is still evolving. The mode of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is airborne, through droplets or fomites. Respiratory interventions performed in these patients in ICU, such as non-invasive ventilation, high flow nasal oxygen or tracheal intubation are considered to be aerosol generating procedures and may lead to airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. In the absence of the robust evidence, there are no specific recommendations available on infection control of SARS-CoV-2 in ICU.

The objective of this study is to achieve consensus statements on the infection control management of SARS-CoV-2 in ICU.

The whole process of this study will be done in the form of three-four rounds of Google Forms-based Delphi surveys. The survey questionnaire, will be prepared by the investigators after systematic search of available literature and concern areas in the infection control of SARS-CoV-2 in ICU. The objective is to achieve consensus statements on the infection control management of SARS-CoV-2 in ICU.

The survey questionnaire is divided into five sections: 1.Design and engineering 2.Health-care workers and visitors 3. Personal protective equipment 4. Patient and procedures 5. Disinfection and sterilisation.

The majority of these questionnaire statements are to be rated on Likert scale and others have multiple choices. The participating experts comments and feedback will be collected through comment section after each question in round one. All the subsequent surveys will be iterative and the experts can give their opinion in each round using either open text or directly to steering group of investigators.

Inclusion criteria

for participants Health care professionals involved in the management of COVID-19 patients with publications and expertise in infectious disease, infection control, sepsis, respiratory failure or public health.

Exclusion criteria

• Those who do not accept the invitation or not meeting any of the inclusion criteria.