J Korean Med Sci.  2020 Apr;35(15):e154. 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e154.

Walk-Through Screening Center for COVID-19: an Accessible and Efficient Screening System in a Pandemic Situation

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, H Plus Yangji Hospital, Seoul, Korea
  • 2Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, H Plus Yangji Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

With the ongoing novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the number of individuals that need to be tested for COVID-19 has been rapidly increasing. A walk-through (WT) screening center using negative pressure booths that is inspired by the biosafety cabinet has been designed and implemented in Korea for easy screening of COVID-19 and for safe and efficient consultation for patients with fever or respiratory symptoms. Here, we present the overall concept, advantages, and limitations of the COVID-19 WT screening center. The WT center increases patient access to the screening clinics and adequately protects healthcare personnel while reducing the consumption of personal protective equipment. It can also increase the number of people tested by 9–10 fold. However, there is a risk of cross-infection at each stage of screening treatment, including the booths, and adverse reactions with disinfection of the booths. These limitations can be overcome using mobile technology and increasing the number of booths to reduce congestion inside the center, reducing booth volume for sufficient and rapid ventilation, and using an effective, harmless, and certified environmental disinfectant. A WT center can be implemented in other institutions and countries and modified depending on local needs to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keyword

Walk-through; Screening; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Pandemic

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Schematic blueprint of Safe Assessment and Fast Evaluation Technical booth of the H Plus Yangji Hospital.

  • Fig. 2 Picture of Safe Assessment and Fast Evaluation Technical booth of the H Plus Yangji Hospital. The height of the glove hole in all booths is different.

  • Fig. 3 Flowchart of a walk-through screening center.


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Fast Screening Systems for COVID-19
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J Korean Med Sci. 2020;35(15):e153.    doi: 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e153.

COVID-19 Screening Center: How to Balance between the Speed and Safety?
Jacob Lee
J Korean Med Sci. 2020;35(15):e157.    doi: 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e157.

Letter to the Editor: How Did We Solve the Risk of Cross-Infection after Testing by the Walk-Through System Pointed Out by Many Authors?
Sang Il Kim, Ji Yong Lee
J Korean Med Sci. 2020;35(16):e162.    doi: 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e162.

A Systematic Narrative Review of Comprehensive Preparedness Strategies of Healthcare Resources for a Large Resurgence of COVID-19 Nationally, with Local or Regional Epidemics: Present Era and Beyond
Young Kyung Yoon, Jacob Lee, Sang Il Kim, Kyong Ran Peck
J Korean Med Sci. 2020;35(44):e387.    doi: 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e387.

The Higher Incidence of COVID-19 in Patients With Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease: A Single Center Experience in Korea
Sang Hyuk Kim, Byung Woo Jhun, Byeong-Ho Jeong, Hye Yun Park, Hojoong Kim, O Jung Kwon, Sun Hye Shin
J Korean Med Sci. 2022;37(32):e250.    doi: 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e250.

Are We Truly Safe? Unfolding the Final Chapters of COVID-19 Walk-Through Booths
Su Ha Han, Minji Jung, Heon-Jae Jeong, JinKwan Hong
J Korean Med Sci. 2023;38(34):e290.    doi: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e290.


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