Hygiene measures against COVID-19 in routine outpatient care. Acceptance by the patients?

Background. To reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections, special hygiene measures apply to all German healthcare facilities. Despite the national goals and the existence of comprehensive testing for the detection of asymptomatic or presymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections in all inpatients, no equivalent screening with rapid antigen tests has yet been established for outpatients. The acceptance of such screening with associated waiting times and inconvenience for affected patients has been insufficiently investigated. Objective. We performed a self-administered anonymous survey of outpatients on their willingness to comply with the hygiene requirements, to undergo rapid antigen screening tests for asymptomatic/presymptomatic infections with SARS-CoV-2 and to receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Results. From 7 to 15 December 2020, 534 patients completed the survey, 195 (37%) from rheumatism and 339 (63%) from orthopedic outpatient clinics. Most patients accepted wearing a mouth-nose covering (475/534, 89%) and attending clinics without an accompanying person to prevent overcrowding of the waiting areas (450/534, 84%). A large majority (428/534 patients, 80%) accepted mandatory screening with rapid antigen tests and the associated waiting time of 15-20 min outside the hospital (449/534, 84%). More than half of the responders reported willingness to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (yes, immediately 137 (26%), yes, maybe 142 (27%) patients), with significantly (p < 0.05) more male, more rheumatic and more patients older than 60 years indicating a wish to be vaccinated. Conclusion. The results revealed a high acceptance of COVID-19 hygiene measures including initial screening by rapid antigen testing.