Kidney Week

Abstract: PO0732

Impact of Undertaking Safeguards to Limit Exposure and Prevent COVID-19 Infection in Ambulatory Dialysis: A Single-Center Experience

Session Information

• COVID-19: Dialysis Patients
  October 22, 2020 | Location: On-Demand
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• 000 Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Authors

• Hamad, Abdullah Ibrahim, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Abdullah Ibrahim Hamad,

• Elgaali, Musab, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Musab Elgaali,

• Abuhelaiqa, Essa, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Essa Abuhelaiqa,

• Alkadi, Mohamad M., Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Mohamad M. Alkadi,

• Othman, Muftah, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Muftah Othman,

• Elesnawi, Mohamed Amin, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Mohamed Amin Elesnawi,

• Ghonimi, Tarek Abdellatif, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Tarek Abdellatif Ghonimi,

• Al-Malki, Hassan A., Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Hassan A. Al-Malki,

Background

Dialysis patients are considered at high risk to develop serious COVID19 complications. Taking extreme measures are necessary to prevent COVID19 transmission at the dialysis center. We are presenting outcomes of our COVID19 prevention project from our largest dialysis center in Qatar.

Methods

Our project was done at FBJKC (largest dialysis center in Qatar with about 60% of all hemodialysis (HD) and 90% of all peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients in Qatar)) between March 1st and May 25th 2020. We gradually implemented a bundle of measures and algorithm (attached) to properly triage and limit COVID19 exposure inside the center. New infection control protocol with specifications to COVID19 were implemented, including a new policy for reusing N95 masks in high risk areas. We tracked number of patients and staff who were infected during that period and source of infection.

Results

Our dialysis census during that period was 480 HD and 170 PD patients. Only 6 HD patients turned positive for COVID19 (0.9%) and 2 PD patients (1.2%) (compared to 1.3% general population in Qatar by May 25^th). We had 3 dialysis staff infected out of 114 (2.6%). Our investigation showed that all cases of COVID19 (both in patients and staff) were likely contracted outside the center. All staff and patients exposed to positive cases of COVID19 inside the center turned out negative. Our infection control classified most exposures at low risk, especially after we fully implemented our precautions.

Conclusion

Preventive actions implemented inside a large dialysis center led to prevention of COVID19 transmission. Increase positive COVID19 cases (in staff and patients) were related to countrywide growth of infection.