Healthcare Professional Preparedness Checklist For Arrival of Patients Potentially Infected with 2019-nCoV
Frontline healthcare personnel should be prepared to evaluate patients for novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The following checklist highlights key steps for healthcare personnel in preparation for arrival of patients potentially infected with 2019-nCoV.
- Stay up to date on the latest information about signs and symptoms, diagnostic testing, and case definitions for 2019-nCoV disease.
- Review your infection prevention and control policies for:
- Assessment of patients with acute respiratory symptoms
- Implementation of Standard, Contact, and Airborne Precautions, including the use of eye protection
- Source control measures for patients (e.g., put facemask on suspect patients)
- Requirements for performing aerosol generating procedures
- Be alert for patients who meet the persons under investigation (PUI) definition
- Know how to report a potential 2019-nCoV case or exposure to public health officials
- Know who, when, and how to seek evaluation by occupational health following an unprotected exposure (i.e., not wearing recommended PPE) to a suspected or confirmed nCoV patient
- Remain at home, and notify occupational health services, if you are ill
- Know how to contact and receive information from your provincial or local public health agency
Additional Resources
The Centers for Disease COntrol and Prevention (US) have published an Initial Public Health Response and Interim Clinical Guidance for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak. Although the details are related to cases in the United States, the CDC has published useful information that will help healthcare professionals detect and, when directed, report cases. The information also includes guidelines on infection control and clinical care.
Interim Guidance for Healthcare Professionals