COVID-19 Information for Healthcare Personnel

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Contents

This information is for individuals working directly with patients who may have or have been exposed to COVID-19 (2019 Novel Coronavirus). To minimize their risk of exposure, all healthcare personnel (HCP) should follow CDC infection and prevention control guidelines.¹

How does COVID-19 spread?

Based on what we know about COVID-19 and other coronaviruses, spread occurs mostly through close person-to-person contact including:

• Use the “Evaluating Persons with Fever and Acute Respiratory Illness” form to screen individuals.
• Having direct contact with infectious secretions including sputum, serum, blood, and respiratory droplets from a patient with COVID-19.²
• Use the “Evaluating Persons with Fever and Acute Respiratory Illness” form to screen individuals.

How can I protect myself and my staff from possible exposure?²

• Stay up to date with the latest information through CDC’s website (cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/).
• All patients who may have or be at risk of contracting COVID-19 should be triaged over the phone before presenting to the facility. 
• Upon their arrival, place a facemask on the patient and isolate them in an Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR), if available.
• If AIIR is unavailable, place the patient in a private examination room with the door closed and do not use the room for other patients until instructed by your local health jurisdiction or state health department.³
•  Use personal protective equipment (PPE), standard precautions, isolation precautions, and eye protection when caring for patients with confirmed or risk of COVID-19.
• Perform hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub before and after all patient contact, contact with potentially infectious material, and before putting on and upon removal of PPE, including gloves. Use soap and water if hands are visibly soiled. 
• Perform aerosol-generating procedures, including collection of diagnostic respiratory specimens, in an AIIR, while following appropriate IPC practices, including use of PPE.
• Use products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

When should I contact Occupational Health Services?

• If you have an unprotected exposure (i.e., not wearing recommended PPE) to a confirmed or possible COVID-19 patient, contact your supervisor or occupational health immediately.
• If you develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (fever, cough, or difficulty breathing), do not report to work. Contact your occupational health services.

If you have further questions, visit the CDC’s website for more information for healthcare professionals (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/faq.html) and contact your local or state health department for further guidance.  

References

1. Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings. (2020, February 21). Retrieved March 3, 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html
2. What Healthcare Personnel Should Know about Caring for Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 Infection. (2020, February 29). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/caring-for-patients.html
3. Guidance for Tribal and Urban Indian Healthcare Providers. (n.d.) Retrieved March 3, 2020 from https://aihc-wa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Caring-for-Individuals-Who-May-be-Ill-With-or-May-Have-Been-Exposed-to-COVID-19-v-2.pdf