If you think that hospitals are the only place left where you will not get infected with the COVID-19, then you are wrong! Only if the hospital administration takes strict precautions, the spread of the infection can be stopped. Though the guidelines have been released for the general public too, due to lack of discipline, the virus is spreading at a much faster pace.
There are a large number of hospitals and clinics where COVID-19 positive patients are ill-treated with no proper maintenance. This has led to a large scale discussion on the topic of what are the safety precautions that must be taken by the patients and the staff!
TREATING PATIENTS IN ISOLATION
Have you heard about the airborne transmission of COVID-19 as claimed by WHO? Yes, this deadly virus can transmit through the air as well. So, you need to take care of your surroundings as well.
Therefore, in the isolation ward, patients must be placed in monitored unfavourable air pressure rooms, and the staff must wear respiratory protection along with the gloves and the gown.
SAFETY PRACTICES IN ISOLATION
Some of the fundamental and compulsory practices that must be followed are:
- HANDWASHING
It has become a new norm since the spread of the pandemic. Whether at the office, work, or at any public place, you must have your hand sanitizers, and even the authorities should provide them. The staff members must use a hand sanitizing solution every time they enter and exit the room. Also if you have worn the gloves, you must wash your hands.
- PATIENT PLACEMENT AND TRANSPORT
During this COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to keep the patients of an isolation ward in a private room. Even when transferring the patient from one place to another, proper precautions like sanitizing the area around, wearing PPE, cleaned floors, etc., must be taken.
- PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE KIT)
After hand sanitizers, PPE kits are the most demanded equipment. Staff members and visitors must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while entering the isolation ward. It also includes wearing a mask and gown. If there are shortages of PPE items, such as respirators or gowns, they should be prioritized for high-hazard activities.
Workers must be provided with respiratory protection when performing or while present for aerosol-generating procedures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and intubation.
Workers must be protected against exposure to human blood, body fluids, other potentially infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals, and contaminated environmental surfaces.
After removing PPE, one must wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, if available. Make sure that hand hygiene facilities (e.g., sink or alcohol-based hand rub) are readily available at the point of use (e.g., at or adjacent to the PPE removal area).
Employers should establish, and ensure workers follow, standard operating procedures for cleaning (including laundering) PPE and items such as uniforms or laboratory coats intended to function as PPE, as well as for maintaining, storing, and disposing of PPE.
Nutrition, environmental services, and more: Firstly, there should be restricted entry into the isolation ward. Only the staff and 1-2 family members should be there, that too for a limited time. While serving food to the patients, proper cleaning services should be provided.
Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended the use of hydroxy-chloroquine for prophylaxis for the high-risk population, including all asymptotic healthcare workers involved in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Posters must be displayed promoting hand-washing. Training sessions must be conducted for the staff to make them aware of techniques to handle critical situations and provide safety and cleanliness. Such workshops and training are also provided by the government too! So, the hospitals must cooperate with the government authorities and attend such workshops.
- TELEHEALTH (VIDEO) APPOINTMENTS
The routine and regularly scheduled appointments can be handled easily by video conferencing on a tablet, smartphone, or PC. If the doctor feels that it is quite urgent to visit the hospital, only then an offline meeting should be scheduled. The staff should help the patients with any help they are seeking while using telehealth services.
- SCREENING AND TESTING
The hospital must screen all the patients and visitors for COVID-19 symptoms. The staff must contact the patient before an appointment to ask whether they are experiencing any symptoms. Even the team must be screened for symptoms every day. All the patients coming to the hospital must be tested irrespective of whether they have symptoms or not!
- CLEANING, REORGANIZATION AND CHECK-IN OPTIONS
Special attention should be given to common areas like waiting rooms, lobbies, and restrooms. They should be cleaned after a time interval. Similarly, there must be floor markings to support social distancing. Furniture should also be rearranged in the same way that there is proper space between the patients and visitors. If possible, then the hospital can offer E-check-in also to limit the exposure to others.
CONCLUSION
Narad Hospital, a multi-speciality and trauma centre at Hoshiarpur, has taken all the safety precautions since the onset of this pandemic. We screen the patients over the phone for symptoms and also track the travel history so that we can provide the best cure to you.
Our doctors will also be available for a video call so that you don’t have to visit the hospital during this crisis. The staff at our hospital wears PPE along with gloves and masks and takes proper care of the patients.
We have strict visitor policies and take all necessary measures while transferring the patient from one room to another. We assure you of the quality and proper cleanliness so that your disease can be cured easily during this pandemic.
