This document provides information for nursing professionals on COVID-19 in post-acute care facilities. It discusses the origin and spread of the virus, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. It emphasizes the importance of infection control through proper hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, monitoring residents, adjusting visitor policies, and encouraging employee responsibility. Key recommendations include limiting how many germs enter the facility, isolating symptomatic residents, and protecting healthcare workers through appropriate use of PPE.
Everything we need to know about COVID-19PrincessExtra
These slides is uploaded for information and as a partial requirement of Philippine Women's University in Master of Nursing (MAN); Subject: Nursing Practicum
This topic is about Coronavirus FAQ: Covid-19 by Academic Assignments which is assignment writing service company, this post is about As indicated by the World Health Organization, COVID-19 is an irresistible ailment brought about by the most as of late found coronavirus.
Novel corona virus (COVID-19) its cause, symptoms and treatmentMedical Knowledge
In this SlideShare, you can learn about the pandemic Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) and also seek knowledge about,
1. What is Coronavirus?
2. Types of the Coronavirus.
3. Transmission of Coronavirus.
4. Prevention of Coronavirus.
5. Treatment of Coronavirus.
6. Diet in Coronavirus.
7. Symptoms of Coronavirus.
8. How Coronavirus get its name?
9. What is MERS_COVID & SARS_COVID?
To download the PowerPoint of this click below:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1s35dGMbsaO8WT2RG8NudOBc4lF2u5JXyH0MVQWpiaXk
To view the video tutorial click below:
https://youtu.be/sKVFN250l_Q
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new coronavirus that emerged in 2019 and causes coronavirus disease2019(COVID-19).1,2 SARS-CoV-2ishighlycontagious.Itdiffers from other respiratory viruses in that it appears that human-tohuman transmission occurs approximately 2 to 10 days prior to the individual becoming symptomatic.2–4 The virus is transmitted from person to person through respiratory secretions. Large droplets from coughing, sneezing or rhinorrhoea land on surfaces within 2 m of the infected person. SARS-CoV-2 remains viable for at least 24 hours on hard surfaces and up to 8 hours on soft surfaces.5 The virus is transferred to another person through hand contact on a contaminated surface followed by touching the mouth, nose or eyes. Aerosol airborne infected particles created during a sneeze or cough remain viable in the air for3 hours.5 These airborne particles of SARS-CoV2 can then be inhaled by another person or land on the mucosal membranes of the eyes.
Spread awareness about the pandemic using the impressive visuals of our Corona Virus Disease 19 PowerPoint Presentation Slides. The easy-to-follow content of coronavirus PPT theme assists you to convey information to the audience of all ages, shapes, and sizes. This COVID 19 PowerPoint slideshow will help you explain the age risk factors, symptoms, and prevention methods concisely. Impactful data visualization tools like infographics in this novel coronavirus pneumonia PPT template enables you to effortlessly demonstrate sophisticated data. Compare the spread, incubation rate of coronavirus against other pandemics, and portray mortality rate through this corona PowerPoint presentation. Present crucial information like how long the virus lasts on different surfaces, and risk factors through this COVID PPT slideshow. Our 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease PowerPoint theme helps you to illustrate the outbreak of the pandemic continent-wise. Download severe pneumonia with novel pathogens PPT template to explain crucial information related to the pandemic like effects on the stock market. https://bit.ly/3gcDA9K
Features, Evaluation and Treatment Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The WHO and other organizations have issued the following general recommendations:
Avoid close contact with subjects suffering from acute respiratory infections.
Wash your hands frequently, especially after contact with infected people or their environment.
Avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.
People with symptoms of acute airway infection should keep their distance, cover coughs or sneezes with disposable tissues or clothes and wash their hands.
Strengthen, in particular, in emergency medicine departments, the application of strict hygiene measures for the prevention and control of infections.
Individuals that are immunocompromised should avoid public gatherings.
Patients and families should receive instruction to:
Avoid close contact with subjects suffering from acute respiratory infections.
Wash their hands frequently, especially after contact with sick people or their environment.
Avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.
People with symptoms of acute airway infection should keep their distance, cover coughs or sneezes with disposable tissues or clothes and wash their hands.
Immunocompromised patients should avoid public exposure and public gatherings. If an immunocompromised individual must be in a closed space with multiple individuals present, such as a meeting in a small room; masks, gloves, and personal hygiene with antiseptic soap should be undertaken by those in close contact with the individual. In addition, prior room cleaning with antiseptic agents should be undertaken and performed before exposure. However, considering the danger involved to these individuals, exposure should be avoided unless a meeting, group event, etc. is a true emergency.
Strict personal hygiene measures are necessary for the prevention and control of this infection.
They are members of the family Coronaviridae, enveloped and positive stranded RNA viruses. The virions are typically decorated with large, club-or petal-shaped surface projections (spikes) which in electron micrographs of spherical particles create an image reminiscent of the solar corona.
Pathogenesis and Clinical manifestation
COVID-19 has 5 clinical variants based on severity;
• Asymptomatic form – in this form, one gets infected without manifesting any symptom whatsoever. The person thus ends up just as a mere carrier, spreading the infection to others.
• Mild disease –this affects the upper respiratory tract producing symptoms such as sneezing, mild fever, cough, malaise, etc; The infected individual recovers rapidly, with or without any supportive treatment.
• Moderate disease –this is a lower respiratory tract infection, which may present as pneumonia and would need some supportive treatment, but may not be sick enough to need oxygen therapy.
• Severe disease – this group develop severe pneumonia and get so sick that they need oxygen therapy.
• Critical disease – this group of patients get so bad and develop acute respiratory disease syndrome and ventilator respiratory failure, so much that they would need a ventilator to survive.
Everything we need to know about COVID-19PrincessExtra
These slides is uploaded for information and as a partial requirement of Philippine Women's University in Master of Nursing (MAN); Subject: Nursing Practicum
This topic is about Coronavirus FAQ: Covid-19 by Academic Assignments which is assignment writing service company, this post is about As indicated by the World Health Organization, COVID-19 is an irresistible ailment brought about by the most as of late found coronavirus.
Novel corona virus (COVID-19) its cause, symptoms and treatmentMedical Knowledge
In this SlideShare, you can learn about the pandemic Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) and also seek knowledge about,
1. What is Coronavirus?
2. Types of the Coronavirus.
3. Transmission of Coronavirus.
4. Prevention of Coronavirus.
5. Treatment of Coronavirus.
6. Diet in Coronavirus.
7. Symptoms of Coronavirus.
8. How Coronavirus get its name?
9. What is MERS_COVID & SARS_COVID?
To download the PowerPoint of this click below:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1s35dGMbsaO8WT2RG8NudOBc4lF2u5JXyH0MVQWpiaXk
To view the video tutorial click below:
https://youtu.be/sKVFN250l_Q
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new coronavirus that emerged in 2019 and causes coronavirus disease2019(COVID-19).1,2 SARS-CoV-2ishighlycontagious.Itdiffers from other respiratory viruses in that it appears that human-tohuman transmission occurs approximately 2 to 10 days prior to the individual becoming symptomatic.2–4 The virus is transmitted from person to person through respiratory secretions. Large droplets from coughing, sneezing or rhinorrhoea land on surfaces within 2 m of the infected person. SARS-CoV-2 remains viable for at least 24 hours on hard surfaces and up to 8 hours on soft surfaces.5 The virus is transferred to another person through hand contact on a contaminated surface followed by touching the mouth, nose or eyes. Aerosol airborne infected particles created during a sneeze or cough remain viable in the air for3 hours.5 These airborne particles of SARS-CoV2 can then be inhaled by another person or land on the mucosal membranes of the eyes.
Spread awareness about the pandemic using the impressive visuals of our Corona Virus Disease 19 PowerPoint Presentation Slides. The easy-to-follow content of coronavirus PPT theme assists you to convey information to the audience of all ages, shapes, and sizes. This COVID 19 PowerPoint slideshow will help you explain the age risk factors, symptoms, and prevention methods concisely. Impactful data visualization tools like infographics in this novel coronavirus pneumonia PPT template enables you to effortlessly demonstrate sophisticated data. Compare the spread, incubation rate of coronavirus against other pandemics, and portray mortality rate through this corona PowerPoint presentation. Present crucial information like how long the virus lasts on different surfaces, and risk factors through this COVID PPT slideshow. Our 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease PowerPoint theme helps you to illustrate the outbreak of the pandemic continent-wise. Download severe pneumonia with novel pathogens PPT template to explain crucial information related to the pandemic like effects on the stock market. https://bit.ly/3gcDA9K
Features, Evaluation and Treatment Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The WHO and other organizations have issued the following general recommendations:
Avoid close contact with subjects suffering from acute respiratory infections.
Wash your hands frequently, especially after contact with infected people or their environment.
Avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.
People with symptoms of acute airway infection should keep their distance, cover coughs or sneezes with disposable tissues or clothes and wash their hands.
Strengthen, in particular, in emergency medicine departments, the application of strict hygiene measures for the prevention and control of infections.
Individuals that are immunocompromised should avoid public gatherings.
Patients and families should receive instruction to:
Avoid close contact with subjects suffering from acute respiratory infections.
Wash their hands frequently, especially after contact with sick people or their environment.
Avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.
People with symptoms of acute airway infection should keep their distance, cover coughs or sneezes with disposable tissues or clothes and wash their hands.
Immunocompromised patients should avoid public exposure and public gatherings. If an immunocompromised individual must be in a closed space with multiple individuals present, such as a meeting in a small room; masks, gloves, and personal hygiene with antiseptic soap should be undertaken by those in close contact with the individual. In addition, prior room cleaning with antiseptic agents should be undertaken and performed before exposure. However, considering the danger involved to these individuals, exposure should be avoided unless a meeting, group event, etc. is a true emergency.
Strict personal hygiene measures are necessary for the prevention and control of this infection.
They are members of the family Coronaviridae, enveloped and positive stranded RNA viruses. The virions are typically decorated with large, club-or petal-shaped surface projections (spikes) which in electron micrographs of spherical particles create an image reminiscent of the solar corona.
Pathogenesis and Clinical manifestation
COVID-19 has 5 clinical variants based on severity;
• Asymptomatic form – in this form, one gets infected without manifesting any symptom whatsoever. The person thus ends up just as a mere carrier, spreading the infection to others.
• Mild disease –this affects the upper respiratory tract producing symptoms such as sneezing, mild fever, cough, malaise, etc; The infected individual recovers rapidly, with or without any supportive treatment.
• Moderate disease –this is a lower respiratory tract infection, which may present as pneumonia and would need some supportive treatment, but may not be sick enough to need oxygen therapy.
• Severe disease – this group develop severe pneumonia and get so sick that they need oxygen therapy.
• Critical disease – this group of patients get so bad and develop acute respiratory disease syndrome and ventilator respiratory failure, so much that they would need a ventilator to survive.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment.
Hello, this presentation is put together to gain general insight about the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) spread across the globe with graphical images, texts and information.
A coronavirus is a kind of common virus that causes an infection in your nose, sinuses, or upper throat. Most coronaviruses aren't dangerous.
In early 2020, after a December 2019 outbreak in China, the World Health Organization identified SARS-CoV-2 as a new type of coronavirus. The outbreak quickly spread around the world.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - Symptoms and causesAshish Singla
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illnesses such as the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Symptoms, Diagnosis and Prevention - Dr Rohit BhaskarDr Rohit Bhaskar, Physio
A coronavirus is a type of virus that can cause respiratory illness in humans and animals. In 2019, a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 emerged in Wuhan, China, and quickly spread around the world. An infection with the new coronavirus causes a respiratory disease called COVID-19.
Bhaskar Health News and Medical Education is leading source for trustworthy health, medical, science and technology news and information. Providing world health information Medical Education.
Bhaskar Health News and Medical Education is dedicated to medical students, physiotherapists, doctors, nurses, paramedics, physician associates, dentists, pharmacists, midwives and other healthcare professionals.
We're committed to being your source for expert health guidance. Bhaskar Health and Medical Education.
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CORONA VIRUS & it’s effect on daily lifeDanao Maibam
The world is facing a challenging. An essential key to combat COVID-19 is to be educated and be familiar to the disease itself and to plan strategies that will help the world win the fight against the crisis.
Corona viruses are a family of viruses that cause illness such as respiratory diseases or gastrointestinal diseases. More severe diseases eg-
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been identified in humans previously. Once scientists determine exactly what coronavirus it is, they give it a name (as in the case of COVID-19, the virus causing it is SARS-CoV-2).Coronaviruses got their name from the way that they look under a microscope.
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has taken the world by storm. COVID-19 is a member of the coronavirus family, which has never been detected in humans before. There are seven known strains of coronavirus (CoV). Coronaviruses are derived from a variety of animals. The virus has many similarities to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The viruses can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe health complications.
Telehealth Psychology Building Trust with Clients.pptxThe Harvest Clinic
Telehealth psychology is a digital approach that offers psychological services and mental health care to clients remotely, using technologies like video conferencing, phone calls, text messaging, and mobile apps for communication.
Defecation
Normal defecation begins with movement in the left colon, moving stool toward the anus. When stool reaches the rectum, the distention causes relaxation of the internal sphincter and an awareness of the need to defecate. At the time of defecation, the external sphincter relaxes, and abdominal muscles contract, increasing intrarectal pressure and forcing the stool out
The Valsalva maneuver exerts pressure to expel faeces through a voluntary contraction of the abdominal muscles while maintaining forced expiration against a closed airway. Patients with cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, increased intracranial pressure, or a new surgical wound are at greater risk for cardiac dysrhythmias and elevated blood pressure with the Valsalva maneuver and need to avoid straining to pass the stool.
Normal defecation is painless, resulting in passage of soft, formed stool
CONSTIPATION
Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. Improper diet, reduced fluid intake, lack of exercise, and certain medications can cause constipation. For example, patients receiving opiates for pain after surgery often require a stool softener or laxative to prevent constipation. The signs of constipation include infrequent bowel movements (less than every 3 days), difficulty passing stools, excessive straining, inability to defecate at will, and hard feaces
IMPACTION
Fecal impaction results from unrelieved constipation. It is a collection of hardened feces wedged in the rectum that a person cannot expel. In cases of severe impaction the mass extends up into the sigmoid colon.
DIARRHEA
Diarrhea is an increase in the number of stools and the passage of liquid, unformed feces. It is associated with disorders affecting digestion, absorption, and secretion in the GI tract. Intestinal contents pass through the small and large intestine too quickly to allow for the usual absorption of fluid and nutrients. Irritation within the colon results in increased mucus secretion. As a result, feces become watery, and the patient is unable to control the urge to defecate. Normally an anal bag is safe and effective in long-term treatment of patients with fecal incontinence at home, in hospice, or in the hospital. Fecal incontinence is expensive and a potentially dangerous condition in terms of contamination and risk of skin ulceration
HEMORRHOIDS
Hemorrhoids are dilated, engorged veins in the lining of the rectum. They are either external or internal.
FLATULENCE
As gas accumulates in the lumen of the intestines, the bowel wall stretches and distends (flatulence). It is a common cause of abdominal fullness, pain, and cramping. Normally intestinal gas escapes through the mouth (belching) or the anus (passing of flatus)
FECAL INCONTINENCE
Fecal incontinence is the inability to control passage of feces and gas from the anus. Incontinence harms a patient’s body image
PREPARATION AND GIVING OF LAXATIVESACCORDING TO POTTER AND PERRY,
An enema is the instillation of a solution into the rectum and sig
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CHAPTER 1 SEMESTER V - ROLE OF PEADIATRIC NURSE.pdfSachin Sharma
Pediatric nurses play a vital role in the health and well-being of children. Their responsibilities are wide-ranging, and their objectives can be categorized into several key areas:
1. Direct Patient Care:
Objective: Provide comprehensive and compassionate care to infants, children, and adolescents in various healthcare settings (hospitals, clinics, etc.).
This includes tasks like:
Monitoring vital signs and physical condition.
Administering medications and treatments.
Performing procedures as directed by doctors.
Assisting with daily living activities (bathing, feeding).
Providing emotional support and pain management.
2. Health Promotion and Education:
Objective: Promote healthy behaviors and educate children, families, and communities about preventive healthcare.
This includes tasks like:
Administering vaccinations.
Providing education on nutrition, hygiene, and development.
Offering breastfeeding and childbirth support.
Counseling families on safety and injury prevention.
3. Collaboration and Advocacy:
Objective: Collaborate effectively with doctors, social workers, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated care for children.
Objective: Advocate for the rights and best interests of their patients, especially when children cannot speak for themselves.
This includes tasks like:
Communicating effectively with healthcare teams.
Identifying and addressing potential risks to child welfare.
Educating families about their child's condition and treatment options.
4. Professional Development and Research:
Objective: Stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in pediatric healthcare through continuing education and research.
Objective: Contribute to improving the quality of care for children by participating in research initiatives.
This includes tasks like:
Attending workshops and conferences on pediatric nursing.
Participating in clinical trials related to child health.
Implementing evidence-based practices into their daily routines.
By fulfilling these objectives, pediatric nurses play a crucial role in ensuring the optimal health and well-being of children throughout all stages of their development.
1. Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Nursing Professionals in Post-
Acute Care
Author: Chris Caulfield MSN, RN, NP-C
Last updated: 04-06-2020
The Origin of COVID-19
COVID-19 is the official name for a new infectious respiratory disease. This disease has spread rapidly
around the world since an outbreak was first identified in December 2019 in a city in central China called
Wuhan. The outbreak of this illness has been so swift, widespread, and significant that it is now
recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic.(WHO)
COVID-19 is caused by a new type of coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses are a common family
of viruses that can infect both animals and humans. Researchers believe SARS-CoV-2 is a zoonotic virus,
meaning it evolved in animals first, such as bats and pangolins (a type of anteater), before jumping to
humans, possibly due to handling, trading, and consumption of wildlife in Wuhan's live animal
markets.(WHO)
As of early April 2020, there are over 1.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. More than 65,300 people
have died as a result of the illness, and over a quarter million people have recovered. The pandemic is
ongoing and actively developing, and countries around the world are taking drastic measures to slow
the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and avoid overtaxing hospital systems. This includes initiating social distancing
policies, closing down schools and nonessential businesses, and encouraging people to wear cloth masks
when going out in public.(CDC)
Many healthcare facilities, including skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and assisted living facilities (ALFs) are
also initiating new regulations to protect residents and patients. Unfortunately, older adults and anyone
with chronic health conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD)—who make up a significant portion of SNF and ALF populations—seem to be
at a greater risk for experiencing severe illness if infected by SARS-CoV-2.(CDC)
How COVID-19 Spreads
COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory disease. It is not the disease itself which spreads, but rather
the virus that causes the disease, called SARS-CoV-2.
SARS-CoV-2 can be found in the saliva of infected people, and spreads mainly through person-to-
person contact. When an infected person sneezes, coughs, or even breathes or talks, infectious droplets
of saliva can be emitted into the air. Another person can then become infected if they inhale these
infectious droplets directly, or possibly by touching a surface contaminated by these droplets and then
touch their mouth or nose. Studies indicate that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can survive on hard surfaces like
plastic and stainless steel for up to three days, on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on copper for up to
2. four hours.(NEJM) Fortunately, regularly cleaning and disinfecting these surfaces is effective for
removing and destroying the virus, respectively.(CDC)
The virus is also detectable in the air for up to three hours. According to the WHO, airborne spread is
not thought to be a major cause of transmission. However, airborne spread could be possible during
certain aerosol-generating medical procedures often performed in healthcare facilities, such as
nebulizer treatments and suctioning.(WHO) Similarly, samples of the virus have been found in fecal
samples of some patients, although fecal-to-oral transmission isn't thought to be a key driver of the
pandemic, either.
Once inside the body, the virus can attack the respiratory system. In severe cases, the virus can cause
lung damage which makes it difficult for oxygen to be transported from the lungs and into red blood
cells; this is a potentially fatal complication known as acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS).(Cleveland Clinic) People with severe cases of COVID-19 may also experience heart failure,
possibly due to widespread systemic inflammation or high lung pressure which can damage the
heart.(Mayo Clinic)
Sign and Symptoms of COVID-19
It's important to realize that SARS-CoV-2 can still be spread by infected people even if these people
are asymptomatic (showing no symptoms). If symptoms do develop, they are usually mild and develop
slowly. The most commonly reported symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, shortness of breath, and
cough. Less commonly, people may experience nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, stomach pain,
and diarrhea.(CDC) These symptoms show up between 2 and 14 days after a person is first infected. This
delay in symptom onset is known as the incubation period; infected individuals can still spread the
virus to others during this time.
Based on current research, the majority (about 80 percent) of people who contract COVID-19 will have
mild or no symptoms and recover without the need for hospitalization or any specialized medical
care.(The Lancet) A smaller portion of people who contract COVID-19 will require hospitalization and
possible admission to an intensive care unit and mechanical ventilation. The following people are more
at risk for having severe symptoms and complications of COVID-19, including death (which occurs in
about 2 percent of all cases):(CDC)
• Older adults (aged 65 and up)
• People who live in long-term care facilities and nursing homes
• People who smoke
• Anyone with a compromised immune system
• People with underlying chronic health conditions, including diabetes, obesity, heart disease,
hypertension, restrictive lung diseases (e.g., asthma or COPD), chronic kidney disease, and liver
disease
Children can also develop COVID-19. Fortunately, it's uncommon for children to experience
complications or anything more than mild symptoms.
Diagnosis and Treatment of COVID-19
3. Doctors can diagnose people with COVID-19 by assessing their symptoms and risk exposure, as well as
by obtaining a sample of their saliva and sending it to a laboratory for testing. Not everyone is being
tested, however. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided criteria of who
should be tested.(CDC) Based on this criteria, clinicians are encouraged to test people in the following
order of priority and as resources allow:
• Hospitalized patients and symptomatic healthcare workers
• Symptomatic residents of long-term care facilities, symptomatic people who are older than 65
and/or have underlying chronic health conditions, and symptomatic first responders
• Symptomatic critical infrastructure workers, any symptomatic individuals who don't fit the
above categories, asymptomatic healthcare workers and first responders, and individuals with
mild sympotms in communities where transmission and hopsitalization rates are high
Right now, there aren't any vaccines or specific treatments that can be used to treat COVID-19. Hospitals
can provide supportive care to people who are severely ill with COVID-19, and doctors and researchers
are currently experimenting with a range of drugs including antiviral drugs, antimalarial drugs,
autoimmune disease drugs, high-dose Vitamin C, and antibodies from the blood of people who have
already recovered from COVID-19.(Harvard Medical School)
Infection Control: Best Practices
At this point, experts and health officials are urging communities to take action to reduce the rate of
transmission of COVID-19 ("flatten the curve"). Projections indicate that reducing transmission rates can
prevent hospitals from having their spaces and resources overwhelmed, since not as many people will
be getting severely sick all at once, but rather will be more spread out over a longer period of
time.(NPR)
For nurses and other healthcare providers working in SNFs, ALFs, and similar settings, there are several
best practices, supported by the CDC and other organizations, to reduce transmission and keep patients,
residents, and caregivers safer. Attentive and strict adherence to infection control policies and proper
use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are among the most critical action steps that can be taken.
Here's how this may look:(CDC)(CDC)(CDC)(CDC)(WHO)
Promote Excellent Hygiene Techniques by All Caregivers, Residents, and Visitors
• Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water before and after contact with residents,
after contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment, and after removing PPE, before eating,
after going to the bathroom, after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose, and whenever
hands are visibly dirty.
• Soap and water is best and preferable for hand hygiene, but when it is not available use alcohol-
based hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizers should be placed inside and outside every resident room,
as well as hallways, nursing stations, and other areas within a facility.
• Keep hygine supplies well-stocked at all times, especially soap and paper towels at sinks.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth. The prompt "keep your hands below your
neck" can help you remember to avoid touching these areas of your body.
• Cover every cough or sneeze with a single-use disposable tissue. If a tissue is unavailable, cough
into your elbow.
4. • Frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces using approved hospital disinfectants. This
includes tables, countertops, lightswitches, hand rails, door handles, computer keyboards, and
medication carts.
Monitor Residents for Symptoms
• Residents who have fever or new respiratory symptoms should be restricted to their rooms with
the door closed, until further guidance from local health department. If they have to leave for
medically-necessary procedures, they should don a facemask and wash their hands first.
• Residents with any undiagnosed respiratory infections should be cared for using Standard,
Contact, and Droplet precautions, or Airborne precautions if indicated.
• Any suspected cases of COVID-19 should be brought to the attention of local and/or state public
health officials to ensure appropriate guidance and management.
Provide Appropriate PPE and Ensure Appropriate PPE Utilization
• Keep appropriate PPE (including gowns, gloves, eye protection, face masks, caps, and booties)
immediately available, either outside resident rooms or at a designated spot near the nursing
station.
• Post clear signs on doors and walls outside a resident's room to indicate the type of precautions
and PPE required prior to entering.
• Place disposal bins and trash cans conveniently nearly the exit of a patient's room to make it
easy to discard PPE upon leaving.
• According to the updated guidelines from the CDC, general precautions for low-risk patient care
of suspected COVID-19 individals have been downgraded from Airborne to Droplet. This is due
to low evidence of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in normal circumstances and due to
limited supplies of N95 masks. Surgical masks (along with gowns and gloves) are appropriate in
these instances.
• Airborne precautions (including N95 masks and face shields) are indicated during respiratory
treatments for individuals suspected of COVID-19, since such treatments (nebulizers, suctioning,
trachestomy care, and application or adjustment of oxygen masks and nasal cannuli) may
reasonably lead to aerosolization of infectious droplets. Prior to any respiratory treatments for
patients who are not suspected to have COVID-19, providers should don surgical masks, eye
protection, and face shields (in addition to gowns and gloves).
• Healthcare providers must be fit tested for N95 respirator face masks and should speak with
employee health personnels to ensure appropriate assessment and fit.
• In the event of low resources, healthcare providers should speak directly with their supervisors
or employee health personnel regarding handling of PPE, or refer to current local, state, and
federal guidelines.
• Ton don PPE prior to working with suspected COVID-19 individuals:
o Perform hand hygiene
o Put on isolation gown
o Put on N95 mask
o Put on face shield or eye protection
o Perform hand hygeiene
o Put on gloves (healthcare providers may now enter the room)
• To doff PPE after working with suspected COVID-19 individuals:
5. o Remove gloves, ensuring there is no additional contamination of hands
o Remove gown (healthcare providers may now exit the room)
o Perform hand hygiene
o Remove face shield or eye protection
o Remove and discard face mask, being sure not to touch the front of the mask
o Perform hand hygiene
Encourage Employee Responsibility
• Remind all caregivers that any employee who is feeling sick should stay home and consult with
their primary healthcare provider and/or employee health representative.
• Direct patient caregivers and staff members should be screened for symptoms, risk
exposure, and fevers by supervisors, nursing managers, or other personnel prior to the start of
any shift, especially in areas with documented community spread of COVID-19.
Adjust Visitor Policy
• Many SNFs, ALFs, hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and other healthcare facilities are
prohibiting visitors other than for under limited and specific exceptions.
• If visitors are allowed at a facility, visitors should be screened by personnel.
• Warning signs, "stop" signs, and direct communication with visitors, family members, and
residents or patients should be made available to help people be aware of and compliant with
current visitor policies.
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic is an actively evolving scenario. Changes with guidelines, policies, and
recommendations are happening on a near-daily basis. Staying as up-to-date as possible by referencing
reliable resources is important for keeping everyone safer.
For healthcare providers in SNFs, ALFs, and related facilities, the key concepts for reducing transmission
include: limiting how many germs and viruses can get into the facility; isolating symptomatic residents
and patients; and protecting healthcare personnel by ensuring appropriate use of PPE. Nurses and other
providers are always encouraged to use their best judgment, speak with their supervisors, and consult
with public health authorities, including state and local health departments and the CDC.
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-
testing/symptoms.html https:/www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/clinical-criteria.html