Introduction
Since December 2019, a number of patients with pneumonia of unknown etiology have been reported in Wuhan, Hubei province [1]. It was reported that most of these patients worked at or lived around the local Huanan seafood wholesale market. Severe acute respiratory infection symptoms occurred in most patients, with some patients rapidly developing acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute respiratory failure [2]. On January 7, 2020, a novel type of coronavirus was identified from the throat swab sample of a patient, and was temporarily termed as 2019-nCoV by the World Health Organization (WHO). On February 11, the pneumonia caused by 2019-nCoV was formally named as COVID-19 by WHO [3].
The 2019-nCoV spreads rapidly, mainly through droplet and contact transmission. Until March 3, 2020, the number of confirmed cases reached more than 80,000 according to the report from the National Health Commission (NHC) of China. COVID-19 was classified as one of the legal class B infectious diseases in China, but taking the highest level of prevention and control measures according to the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases.”
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On February 11, 2020, “Diagnosis and Treatment Protocols of COVID-19 Infection (6th edition)” was published by NHC of China [4]. It indicated that X-ray and computed tomography (CT) examinations were effective methods for the screening and diagnosis of this infectious disease [5]. However, most radiologists and radiological technologists in radiology departments had less experience when facing COVID-19 patients. Examination with nonstandard prevention procedures will lead to high risks of hospital cross-infection in the radiology department. In order to effectively reduce the infection risk of radiologists and radiological technologists, a consensus on “Prevention and control measures in radiology department for COVID-19” was presented under the endeavors of many radiologists and radiological technologists led by the Chinese Society of Imaging Technology, Chinese Medical Association, aiming to guide the prevention and practical work in the radiology department.
Personal protection levels [6]
General protection
Wearing work clothes, disposable medical masks, work caps, and gloves (if necessary).
Primary level of protection
It is suitable for pre-examination and triage, fever clinic, and infectious diseases clinic. Wearing disposable work caps, disposable medical masks (N95-type masks are recommended when contacting with confirmed patients), work clothes, isolation gowns, and disposable latex gloves (if necessary), and strictly implementing hand hygiene.
Secondary level of protection
It is suitable for medical staff who has close contact with suspected or confirmed patients. Wearing disposable work caps, protective goggles or face shields (anti-fog type), medical protective masks, protective clothing or isolation gowns, disposable latex gloves, and disposable shoe covers, and strictly implementing hand hygiene.
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Third level of protection
It is suitable for aerosol-generating procedures performed for suspected or confirmed patients, such as sputum aspirating, respiratory sampling, tracheal intubation, and tracheotomy, which may cause spraying or splashing of respiratory secretions and substances of the body. Wearing disposable work caps, medical protective masks, protective face shields (full-scale respirators or positive pressure headgears are recommended), medical protective clothing, disposable latex gloves, and disposable shoe covers, and strictly implementing hand hygiene.
Requirements for working environment and positions
Requirements for working environment [7]
An independent medical imaging examination room is needed and different working areas should be strictly separated.
I.
To prevent cross-infection, an independent medical imaging examination area or a dedicated radiological examination equipment (including X-ray photography equipment and CT scanner for infected patients) as well as a dedicated film printer should be available. According to the requirements for nosocomial infection prevention and control, the polluted area, semi-polluted area, and cleaning area need to be strictly separated and disinfected. If a dedicated examination room (such as a CT room) cannot be separated from others, strict equipment and air disinfection are required after the current patient scan and between patient encounters. Fever clinics, radiological contaminated and semi-contaminated areas, and isolation wards are the key areas for healthcare-associated infections prevention and control, which must be terminally disinfected after the examinations for confirmed patients and before the examinations for next suspected patients.
II.
A dedicated radiological examinations route must be established.
III.
Batch-based and time-separated services should be carried out for confirmed patients and suspected patients in fever clinic and ward, with a subsequent strict disinfection.
Requirements for medical staff in radiology department [8]
Administrator of nosocomial infections: at least one administrator needs to be designed, who is responsible for directing and supervising the disinfection and protection in the radiology department. They must guide the whole disinfection, make a clear division, and report in time to guarantee the staff and patients by avoiding to be infected by the virus.
Radiographers for bedside X-ray photography
Specific radiographers need to be arranged to carry out bedside X-ray photography in key areas and take standardized photography. These radiographers are required to strictly implement the secondary level of protection. In the case of work that may cause spraying or splashing of respiratory secretions and substances of the body, such as sputum aspiration, respiratory sampling, endotracheal intubation, and tracheotomy, the third level of protection is required. After each examination, the surface of equipment should be disinfected (wiped with 75% ethanol).
Radiographers for digital radiography (DR) and CT examinations
The radiographers in charge of patient position should strictly implement the secondary level of protection. The radiographers in charge of operating equipment can adopt the first or secondary level of protection.
Staff for patient registration in the key areas
Patient registration should be completed by the radiographers in the key areas, and any material being in contact with the confirmed patients must be separately and safely stored. Staff for patient registration in the non-key area should take the primary level of prevention. It is recommended to make full use of the hospital information system (HIS), picture archiving and communication system (PACS), and radiology information system (RIS) to achieve paperless management.
Other staff working in the non-key areas in the radiology department
It is recommended to take the general protection when working in the cleaning areas, take the primary protection when working in the semi-contaminated areas, and take the secondary protection when working in the contaminated areas. In the case of work that may cause spraying or splashing of respiratory secretions and substances of the body, such as sputum aspiration, respiratory sampling, endotracheal intubation, and tracheotomy, the third level of protection is required.
Working mode for radiographers in key areas (trial)
The radiographers for bedside X-ray photography, DR, and CT examinations working in the isolation area are recommended to take a 2 + 2 working mode, due to the possibility of closely contacting with the confirmed patients. In the 2 + 2 working mode, the radiographers should complete a first period of 14 workdays in the isolation area, and subsequently take a second period of 14 days in a specific dedicated isolation ward for supervised medical observation before returning to normal work.
Processes of wearing and removing protective clothing [9, 10]
Process of wearing protective clothing
Seven steps of hand-washing; wearing a cap; wearing a medical protective mask (taking the leak test); wearing medical protective clothing (after removing shoes); wearing latex gloves (inner layer); wearing isolation clothing; wearing latex gloves (outer layer); wearing rubber boots/shoes; wearing boot/shoe covers; wearing goggles/face shield; checking tightness.
Process of removing protective clothing
In contaminated areas: clearing visible dirt; hand hygiene; taking off outer boot/shoe covers; hand hygiene; taking off isolation clothing and outer gloves; hand hygiene. In the semi-contaminated area: taking off goggles/mask; hand hygiene; taking off protective clothing, inner gloves, and boot covers; hand hygiene; taking off medical protective masks; taking off the cap; seven steps of hand-washing.
Cleaning and disinfection of radiology equipment [11]
Daily cleaning
I.
Metal surface and painted surface can be wiped with soft detergent, and then dried with dry towel. Corrosive cleaning agent, corrosive detergent, and corrosive polishing agent are not allowed.
II.
Chrome parts should only be wiped with a dry towel. Abrasive polishes are not allowed. Wax is suggested to protect the surface coating. Plastic surfaces can only be cleaned with soap and water.
III.
Common glass cleaner except for amide products can be used to clean the touch screen. Spray the glass cleaner on the cloth or towel, and then wipe the touch screen. Be sure to remove the liquid drops in time to prevent it from flowing into the gap of the equipment.
Equipment disinfection
I.
After each examination (including X-ray photography, CT, magnetic resonance imaging, or others), the equipment must be disinfected by wiping the surface using 75% ethanol.
II.
Corrosive disinfectants are not allowed.
III.
Disinfectant sprays should be used carefully, as they may penetrate into the equipment, resulting in short-circuit, metal corrosion, or other damage. If the spray disinfector is needed in the room, the equipment must be shut down, cooled, and completely covered with plastic film before starting the spray disinfection. Then the equipment itself is disinfected by wiping the surface using 75% ethanol.
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Floor disinfection
Visible pollutants should firstly be removed using disposable water absorption material, and then the floor should be disinfected by using 2000 mg/L disinfectant containing chlorine (except for chlorhexidine). Furthermore, any other objects (such as handrail, door handle, window, and wall switch) should also be disinfected.
Air disinfection
Air disinfection for the equipment room is recommended by using ultraviolet irradiation (continuous irradiation for more than 30 min), followed by ventilation for more than 30 min.
Other disinfection
All disposable protective products must be non-reusable. The reusable protective products (such as goggles) should be placed at the designated disinfection place, and be soaked in 1000 mg/L disinfectant containing chlorine (except for chlorhexidine) or 75% ethanol for more than 1 h.
Treatment measures of medical waste in radiology department [12]
Collection process of medical waste
All waste from confirmed patients are regarded as infectious medical waste, and should be managed strictly according to the following process.
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The process of disposing infectious waste is as follows: put the infectious waste into the medical waste collection bag (ideally be no more than ¾ full); spray the bag with 5000 mg/L disinfectant containing chlorine (except for chlorhexidine); seal the inner layer and outer layer in a Goose-Neck-Type and spray the layers with 5000 mg/L disinfectant containing chlorine (except for chlorhexidine); paste special identifications in the outer layer, and store it in the specialized site for medical wastes.
Personnel protection
The cleaners should take the secondary level of protection and be responsible for handover registration, safe transportation, and proper storage of the infectious medical waste.
Summary
Radiological examination, especially chest CT, plays an irreplaceable role in the diagnosis of patients with COVID-19. Radiologists, radiological technologists, and nurses must have a great command of the individual protection and disinfection procedures when working in radiology department, especially in key areas.
Acknowledgements
We thank the following experts from different hospitals in China for their supports to this paper:
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Baozeng Wang, Department of Infections, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University
Bing Zhang, Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University
Chenhong Fan, Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University
Daoyong Liu, Department of Radiology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University
Dong Li, Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital
Dong Xu, Department of Radiology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University
Fajin Lv, Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University
Fei Shan, Department of Radiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center
Guangping Zheng, Department of Radiology, The Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen
Haikun Du, Department of Radiology, Xining First People’s Hospital
Haikuo Wang, Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University
Haoliang Li, Department of Radiology, Pulmonary Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University
Hongjun Li, Department of Radiology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University
Housheng Ma, Department of Radiology, Yantai Yu Huang Ding Hospital
Huadan Xue, Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Jiaojiao Liu, Department of Radiology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University
Jiawen Luo, Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University
Jin Lv, Department of Radiology, Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital
Junhui Zheng, Department of Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital
Lei Shi, Department of Radiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center
Li Fan, Department of Radiology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University
Longjiang Zhang, Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University
Min Jiang, Department of Radiology, Chengdu Public Health Clinical Medical Center
Ming Yang, Department of Radiology, Shijiazhuang Fifth Hospital
Minjie Zhang, Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University
Pan Liang, Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
Pengfei Geng, Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
Puxuan Lu, Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Chronic Disease Prevention Center
Rengyin Zhang, Department of Radiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center
Rongmeng Jiang, Department of Infections, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University
Shengyuan Lai, Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University;
Shouyong Shi, Department of Radiology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University
Shuang Xia, Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital
Shucong Xu, Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Capital Institute of Pediatrics
Shuo Li, Department of Radiology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University
Songfeng Jiang, Department of Radiology, Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital
Wenluan Fan, Department of Radiology, Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital
Xiaopeng Du, Department of Radiology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University
Xiaoyi Duan, Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University
Xin Dai, Department of Radiology, Chongqing Public Health Medical Treatment Center
Xingui Peng, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University
Xiongying Yu, Department of Radiology, The Third Hospital of South Medicine, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province
Yanqing Fan, Department of Radiology, Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital
Yantao Niu, Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
Yaqin Zhang, Department of Radiology, The fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
Yijun Zhang, Department of Radiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center
Yong Zhang, Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University
Yuxin Shi, Department of Radiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center
Zaiyi Liu, Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University
Zhenying Xia, Department of Radiology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University
Zhiying Yang, Medical Imaging Center, Dazhou Central Hospital
Ziqiao Lei, Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Compliance with ethical standards
Guarantor
The scientific guarantor of this publication is Prof. Haihong Fu.
Conflict of interest
This paper obtained the “certificate of authorization” for reprint of the content from “Expert consensus of radiological examination scheme and infection prevention of the 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia (First version)” which was in Chinese and had been accepted by a Chinese journal “Electronic Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases.”
The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any other companies, whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.
Statistics and biometry
No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper.
Informed consent
Not applicable.
Ethical approval
Not applicable.
Methodology
• Multicenter study
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