SARS-CoV-2 Acquisition in Frontline health Care Workers [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
SARS-CoV-2 Acquisition in Frontline Health Care Workers – Evaluation to Inform Response (SAFER)
IRAS ID
281836
Contact name
Catherine Houlihan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London Hospitals
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
There is a lack of evidence around the risk of acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 in Health Care Workers (HCWs) who continue work in hospitals during an epidemic. We have a unique opportunity during the current outbreak to re-instigate a previous successfully implemented protocol which examined symptomatic and asymptomatic influenza acquisition in health care workers at University College London Hospital (UCLH) in 2017/8. We have prepared a study that will examine rates of SARS-CoV-2 acquisition in HCWs in five clincial areas (AMU, Infectious disease or cohort ward, haematology and ICU) and A/E in UCLH and Royal Liverpool Hospital (RLH) using the previous methodology. \n\nWe will describe the proportion of staff who are symptomatic and asymptomatic for respiratory tract symptoms whilst at work, and the proportion of both groups who have SARS-CoV-2 infection. We will collect twice weekly nose and throat swabs from staff and test these retrospectively, offering results to staff at least 2 months after the study closes. Serum samples for retrospective serological testing will be collected monthly. At RLH, we will additionally collect nasal fluid (nasosorption) and saliva samples for assessment of pneumococcal carriage and nasal immune responses. At UCLH, we will additionally conduct qualitative interviews with health care workers to establish the challenges of 1. Experience of working during a novel pathogen outbreak, 2. Staff perceived risk to themselves and family from this novel pathogen. \n\nThe information from our study will add significantly to the understanding of staff health and safety, hospital infection prevention and control, and will improve the evidence-base for the protection of patients and staff from outbreaks of respiratory pathogens. \n
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SC/0147
Date of REC Opinion
26 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion