Coronavirus epidemic: Dr KK Aggarwal suggests guidelines for paramedics, health professionals

— By Dr KK Aggarwal

New Delhi: Coronavirus epidemic has put the government on its toes. Centre along with state govts have rolled out measures to contain its spread, however, it’s the paramedics and healthcare professionals who are fighting the battle from the front.

Since, they remain most prone to infection owing to closeness with patients, below are some guidelines suggested for them by Dr KK Aggarwal, President CMAAO.

Following these guidelines should keep them safe and the virus at bay:

1. A significant epidemic will require healthcare professionals to be flexible in what they do

2. Be prepared to work outside your usual area of expertise in the increasingly likely scenario of widespread community transmission of COVID-19.

3. In the event of a significant epidemic, primary and secondary care “will be put under extreme pressure”. This would “inevitably be exacerbated by staff shortages due to sickness or caring responsibilities” and would represent a “challenge” for the profession.

4. It may entail working in unfamiliar circumstances or surroundings or working in clinical areas outside of their usual practice for the benefit of patients and the population as a whole.”

5. Consider every patient coming to hospital as COVID positive and water surgical mask all the time.

6. As much as possible give tele or video consultation appointments and consultations.

7. Pass on a SMS to all your patients not to visit the hospital with fever and cough. They should come on teleconsultation.

8. All patients with cough and fever if enters a hospitals should be given a surgical mask at the reception, should get priority without line in getting lab or imaging tests.

9. All reusable equipments stethoscopes, bp instruments etc should be frequently sanitised.

10. Minimise paper work as much as possible.

11. Learn the correct method of using and disposing surgical masks

12. Update MOH guidelines on a daily basis.