Efficiency of Diagnostic Test for SARS-CoV-2 in a Nursing Home

Background: there is no consensus on how to optimally use diagnostic tests in each stage of COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this research is to determine the efficiency of sorting posi tive antibody test quarterly. Methods: this research uses a retrospective, observational study. COVID-19 diagno...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Salmerón, Sergio, López-Escribano, Alonso, García Nogueras, Inmaculada, Lorenzo, Joaquina, Romero, Juan Manuel, Hernández Martínez, Antonio, García Alcaraz, Francisco
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
Repositorio:RUIdeRA. Repositorio Institucional de la UCLM
OAI Identifier:oai:ruidera.uclm.es:10578/30227
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10578/30227
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Coronavirus
COVID-19
Nursing homes
Cost-efficiency
SARS-CoV-2
Descripción
Sumario:Background: there is no consensus on how to optimally use diagnostic tests in each stage of COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this research is to determine the efficiency of sorting posi tive antibody test quarterly. Methods: this research uses a retrospective, observational study. COVID-19 diagnostic tests performed and avoided refer to a Spanish nursing home. Population: 261 employees and 107 residents. A quarterly antibody test was performed on subjects who had tested positive during the first wave of coronavirus, and a antibody rapid test on the remaining subjects. Results: during the first wave, 24.0% of the employees and 51.4% of the residents had a positive antibody test. Seronegativization was observed in 7.6% of employees and 1.6% of residents. An em ployee was infected with COVID-19 in September 2020, followed by a nursing home outbreak in October: 118 Polymerase Chain Reactions tests were avoided in residents and 18 in employees, which in turn prevented 15 workers from going on sick leave and the quarantine of 59 residents. This represents savings of about $15,000. Conclusions: our study supports the need to know and apply the strategies for early detection, surveillance and control of COVID-19 for future outbreaks. We conclude that surveillance for positive COVID-19 serology among long-term care staff and res idents may be a cost-effective strategy during a pande