Assessing efficacy of instructor based orientation to donning doffing protocols and modifications to doffing area infrastructure in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infection among Doctors assigned to COVID-19 patient care

BACKGROUND: We assess the efficacy of orientation programmes for doctors of proper donning, doffing techniques for personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe practices inside the COVID-19 hospital in reducing the COVID-19 infection rate among doctors. METHODS: A total of 767 resident doctors and 197 faculty visits on weekly rotation were recorded over a six month period. Doctors were guided through orientation sessions before their entry into the COVID-19 hospital from 1 August 2020. The infection rate among doctors was used to study the efficacy of the programme. McNemars Chi-square test was used to compare the infection rate in the two groups before and after orientation sessions were commenced. DISCUSSION: A statistically significant reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection was seen among resident doctors after orientation programmes and infrastructure modification (3% vs 7.4%, P=0.03). Twenty-eight of 32 (87.5%) doctors who tested positive developed asymptomatic to mild infection. The infection rate was 3.65% and 2.1% among residents and faculty respectively. There was no mortality recorded. CONCLUSION: Orientation programme for healthcare workers for PPE donning and doffing protocols with practical demonstration and trial of PPE usage can significantly reduce COVID-19 infection. Such sessions should be mandatory for all workers on deputation in designated area for Infectious Diseases and in pandemic situations.