General Practitioners’ Practice premises and Risk of Viral Cross-Transmission: A French Observational Multicenter Study

Abstract

Background: The common areas of general practitioners’ practices (eg, reception, secretariat, waiting room, toilets) are places at risk of cross-transmission of viral diseases such as COVID-19, however risk is poorly documented. Aim: To evaluate the risks of viral cross-transmission in general practitioners’ practices based on the organization of the common areas of the premises. Design and setting: Cross-sectional multicenter observational study in randomly selected general practitioners’ practices in a French department (Seine-Maritime). The practices were included in 4 strata (1, 2, 3–5, or ≥6 general practitioners). Method: Each practice was visited and a questionnaire describing practice organization, cleaning of the premises, screening of high-risk patients was completed on site and observation of the premises). Results: Data collection started in December 2019 and was discontinued due to the national lockdown related to the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Eighty-two practices were analyzed. A hydroalcoholic solution was available in 7.3% of practices and surgical masks in 1.2%. In a majority of waiting rooms, the minimum distance between chairs facing each other was >2 m (78.0%), but was more frequently 1 m for chairs at 90° (53.7%). Overall, 79.3% of waiting rooms could be properly ventilated and waste bins were present in 23.9% of cases. A cleaning protocol was reported in 39.2% of practices. Conclusion: The COVID-19 epidemic allowed the national dissemination of standard precautions. It will be interesting to monitor over the next few years whether the renewed consideration of standard precautions to prevent viral cross-contamination will be maintained over time.