This article summarises the relevant WHO guidance for educational purposes for healthcare professionals.

How can professionals prevent the spread of COVID-19?

• Early identification and isolation of suspected COVID-19 cases

• Using precautions whilst caring for any patient

• Using additional precautions whilst caring for suspected COVID-19 cases

Isolating suspected COVID-19 patients:

Healthcare professionals should aim to identify possible COVID-19 cases early by maintaining a low threshold to consider COVID-19 and by implementing early triage stations and questionnaires.

Using standard precautions during care of all patients:

Patients with suspected COVID-19 should be given face masks for public waiting areas, respiratory hygiene and rigorous hand hygiene should be applied. Healthcare professionals should use the WHO 5 moments for hand hygiene.

Using additional precautions for suspected COVID-19 patients:

As per WHO guidance routine care of suspected COVID-19 patients requires

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

• Surgical mask

• Eye or face shield

• Long sleeved gown

• Gloves

Considerations in the patient environment:

• Patient to have dedicated or single use equipment (thermometer, BP cuff, stethoscope) and/or cleaned with 70% ethyl alcohol between patients

• Rooms should be ventilated at 60 L/s per patient

• Avoid moving patients from their rooms

• Limit number of people coming into contact with the patient

• Keep log of healthcare contacts with the patient

As per WHO guidance aerosol-generating procedures require:

PPE:

• Eye protection – goggles or face sheild

• A seal-checked particulate respirator equivalent to NIOSH-certified N95 or EU standard FFP2

• Long sleeved gown

• Gloves

Considerations in the patient environment:

• Rooms ventilated at 160L/s per patient or negative pressure rooms with 12 changes/hour

• Absolute minimum personnel to enter room

Reference

World Health Organisation. Infection prevention and control during health care when COVID-19 is suspected, Interim Guidance, March 2020. [Online] Available from: https://www.who.int/publications-detail/infection-prevention-and-control-during-health-care-when-novel-coronavirus-(ncov)-infection-is-suspected-20200125 [Accessed 1.6.20]

Written by Dr Rachel Coles, education fellow, 1st June 2020.