b'| INFECTIOUS DISEASE GUIDEof the affected patients presence ingen that could be transmitted in theguide patients through triage areas, the setting. When scheduling appoint- healthcare setting. Attention should becurtains between patients in shared ments, patients and families should bepaid to training on correct use, properareas, and closed suctioning systems instructed to communicate any respira- donning and doffing, and disposal offor airway suctioning for intubated tory infection symptoms such as cough,personal protective equipment. 2Placepatients, to reduce or eliminate expo-runny nose, or fever, and staff shoulda patient with known or suspectedsures by shielding providers and other take appropriate preventive actions,coronavirus in an Airborne Infectionpatients from infected individuals.such as wearing facemasks. EmergencyIsolation Room that has been con- 13.Implement sick-leave policies for pro-medical services personnel should alsostructed and maintained in accordanceviders that are non-punitive, flexi-be expected to communicate concernswith current guidelines. 2If an isola- ble, and consistent with public health when delivering patients to facilities. tion room is not available, patients whoguidance.2.Practice hand hygiene and educaterequire hospitalization should be trans- 14.Provide ongoing education and train-patients to do the same. Consider post- ferred as soon as possible to a facilitying on preventing transmission of ing signs and other visual alerts atwhere one is available.infectious agents.entrances, waiting spaces, and high-ac- 9.Use dedicated or disposable noncriti- 15.Ensure that environmental cleaning cess places. Instructions should includecal patient-care equipment when suspi- and disinfection procedures are fol-how to use facemasks or tissues tocion arises, such as blood pressure cuffslowed consistently and correctly.cover nose and mouth when coughingand thermometers. If equipment will be16.Implement mechanisms and policies or sneezing, to dispose of tissues andused for more than one patient, cleanthat promptly alert key facility staff contaminated items in waste recep- and disinfect such equipment beforeincluding infection control, health-tacles, and how and when to performuse on another patient according tocare epidemiology, facility leadership, hand hygiene. manufacturers instructions. occupational health, clinical labora-3.Ensure that patients with symptoms10.Reusable eye protection, such astory, and frontline staff about known of suspected coronavirus or othergoggles, must be cleaned and disin- or suspected infections.respiratory infections are not allowedfected according to the manufactur- Work on a vaccine is currently being con-to wait among other patients seekingers reprocessing instructions priorducted by at least three companies in the care. Identify a separate, well-ventilatedto re-use. Disposable eye protectionpharmaceutical industry, including Gilead, space that allows waiting patients to beshould be discarded after use. Foster City, CA; Johnson & Johnson, New separated by six or more feet, with easy11.Manage visitor access to the facil- Brunswick, NJ; and GlaxoSmithKline, access to respiratory hygiene supplies.ity and restrict visitors from enter- Brentford, United Kingdom. 3 n4.Ensure rapid triage and isolation ofing the room of known or suspected patients with symptoms of suspectedcoronavirus patients. AlterxqnativeREFERENCEScoronavirus or other respiratorymechanisms for patient and visi- 1.2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).infection. tor interactions, such as video-callCDC. 2020. Accessed online: www.5.Ensure that all patients are asked aboutapplications on cell phones or tabletscdc.gov/media/dpk/diseases-and-con-travel history or contact with possibleshould be explored. Facilities can con- ditions/coronavirus/coronavirus-2020.coronavirus patients. sider exceptions based on end-of-lifehtml6.Inform infection prevention and con- situations or when a visitor is essential2.Interim Infection Prevention andtrol services, local and state publicfor the patients emotional well-beingControl Recommendations For health authorities, and other health- and care. Facilities should maintain aPatients With Confirmed 2019 Novel care facility staff as appropriaterecord of all visitors who enter patientCoronavirus (2019-nCoV) Or Persons about the presence of a patient underrooms. Exposed visitors should beUnder Investigation For 2019-nCoV investigation. advised to report any signs and symp- In Healthcare Settings. CDC. 2020. 7.Provide supplies for respiratory hygienetoms of acute illness to their health- Accessed online: www.cdc.gov/corona-and cough etiquette, including 60%- care provider for a period of at leastvirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/infection-control.95% alcohol-based hand sanitizer, tis- 14 days after the last known exposurehtmlsues, no-touch receptacles for disposal,to the sick patient. All visitors should3.Smith A. Gilead Joins GSK, J&J Inand facemasks at healthcare facil- follow respiratory hygiene and coughOffering Coronavirus Vaccine Options. ity entrances, waiting rooms, patientetiquette precautions while in thePharmaTimes. 2020. Accessed online: check-ins, etc. common areas of the facility. www.pharmatimes.com/news/gilead_8.Assume that every person is potentially12.Implement engineering controls, suchjoins_gsk,_jj_in_offering_coronavirus_infected or colonized with a patho- as physical barriers or partitions tovaccine_options_1324279www.elitecme.com |2020| INFECTIOUS DISEASE GUIDE 9'