Kidney Week

Abstract: PO0714

Implementation of Strategies for Prevention and Control of SARS-CoV-2 Infection at Dialysis Units in Latin America: Analysis from GlomCon Latin America Working Group (LGlomCon)

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

• Arellano-Mendez, Denisse, Unidad Medica de Atencion Ambulatoria 254, IMSS, Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico

Denisse Arellano-Mendez,

• Gutierrez-Prieto, Julio Alejandro, Hospital Central del Estado de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico

Julio Alejandro Gutierrez-Prieto,

• Soto-Vargas, Javier, Hospital General Regional 46, IMSS, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Javier Soto-Vargas,

• Martinez-Chagolla, Blanca, Hospital General “Dr. Miguel Silva", Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico

Blanca Martinez-Chagolla,

• Cabeza Rivera, Franco H., University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, United States

Franco H. Cabeza Rivera,

• Garcia Anton, Desiree, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, United States

Desiree Garcia Anton,

• Aguirre, Diana, Hospital General de Mexicali, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico

Diana Aguirre,

• Rodriguez Ramirez, Sonia, Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Sonia Rodriguez Ramirez,

• Avila-Casado, Carmen, Pathology Department, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Carmen Avila-Casado,

Group or Team Name

• GlomCon Latin America Working Group

Background

Patients on dialysis belong to the high-risk group to develop severe COVID-19 infection due to their multiple comorbidities. International societies have issued recommendations for the control and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection at dialysis units but implementing them may not always be feasible as many healthcare systems in Latin America (LA) have limited resources. This study aims to reflect the experience of nephrologists in LA at taking care of these patients and if the recommendations were adopted in their practices.

Methods

Descriptive analysis extracted from an online survey carried out among nephrologists, renal pathologists and other health workers treating kidney diseases between May 20-27, 2020 from sixteen Spanish speaking LA countries divided into 6 categories. We present the results for the ESRD category.

Results

430 responses were obtained, 360 were considered for analysis. 276 (86.5%) of the participants were nephrologists and 178 (64%) of them practiced in dialysis units. 163 (92.6%) already implemented strategies to control and prevent COVID-19 in their units. 125 (71%) received training on it and 128 (72.7%) reported personal protective equipment availability. The most common implemented strategies were: education sessions about COVID-19 for patients and caregivers (68.5%), designated isolation areas (77.8%) or shifts (68.75%) for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and a 7-feet separation between hemodialysis (HD) machines (61.9%). 49 (28%) of the nephrologists reported an outbreak among patients and 60 (34.2%) among medical staff. Patient absenteeism to their HD sessions due to fear of infection, a decrease in the frequency and a shortening of the time of the sessions was reported in 41.7%, 30.2% and 36%, respectively. 29 (16.5%) of the respondents considered that those practices were associated with patient mortality.

Conclusion

Most dialysis units in LA are partially implementing the recommended strategies for control and prevention of COVID-19 but this seems to be insufficient since at least one third of them already faced outbreaks among patients and medical staff.