Associations between COVID-19 Clinical Screening Tools, Rapid Diagnostic Tests and Computed Tomography for Effective Risk Mitigation of COVID-19 in a Private Hospital Setting in Nigeria

Abstract Background: Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019, the infection has presented with highly variable clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe pneumonia, particularly affecting older adults. With no pathognomonic symptoms identified, understanding the predictive value of signs and symptoms is crucial for effective diagnosis. Hence this study described the process of reviewing, adapting and integrating a novel COVID-19 risk assessment tool and correlation of risk assessment scores with rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and chest computed tomography (CT) findings. The goal was to reduce the transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 in a large private hospital in the capital city of Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 940 patients and staff from February to October 2021. The clinical COVID-19 risk assessment tool was adapted for use in a non-designated COVID-19 treatment centre (Nisa Premier Hospital). We compared risk assessment scores with RDT results and CT findings, employing descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to analyse associations. Results: Our analysis revealed a significant association between low risk assessment scores and negative RDT results ( P < 0.0001). Although not statistically significant, the odds ratio showed that individuals with a low COVID-19 risk assessment score had non-suggestive CT findings ( P = 0.12). Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of comprehensive screening tools in managing COVID-19 in hospital settings. Our study supports the integration of clinical risk assessments with RDT and CT imaging to enhance infection control, triage and overall patient safety during pandemics.