COVID-19 is a scourge commonly afflicting the people caring for COVID-19 patients.
How are health care workers and other personnels working in COVID-19 areas protecting themselves?
A few suggestions
1) Appropriate PPE
2) Hand hygiene
3) self-reporting of symptoms
4) Social distancing even at workplace
5) ? Prophylaxis
What else are you doing?
Yours is not a request for knowledge, it is a cry of pain and uncertainty. Humanity has survived for millions of years, also risking extinction. This is not the first pandemic and will not be the last. A great faith in Science and Knowledge are the winning weapons.
When you operate in hospital, fear helps you because it makes you think clearly about what you are doing and how you are doing it, slowly and carefully, to avoid small but fatal mistakes.
Not being too confident. Fear is not always bad. Keeps you on your toes. I agree.
1.We have minimized aerosol generating procedures like FOB BAL and spirometry.
2. Segregation of patients and doctors for covid and non covid areas and working in rotation.
3. Referring patients to fever clinic first for screening rather than allowing them to present to our speciality opd.
All these steps are probably more relevant for pulmonary specialists.
Other major preventive measures have already been listed by you.
An extremely brief compilation of what we practice
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340790931_Coronavirus_-_preventing_an_occupational_hazard_among_doctors
Facemasks and other personal protective equipment is the key to staying safe
@Gopal Chawla
Avoiding direct contact when not required. That is a fine point. Thank you.
