Institutional COVID-19 Protocols

Abstract

As the confirmed cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continue to grow with over 1 million documented infections in the United States alone, researchers and health care workers race to find effective treatment options for this potentially fatal disease. Mortality remains high in patients whose disease course requires mechanical ventilation and admission to intensive care units. While focusing on therapies to decrease mortality is essential, we must also consider the logistical hurdles faced with regard to safely and effectively delivering treatment while limiting the risk of harm to hospital staff and other noninfected patients. In this article, we discuss aspects of surge planning, considerations in limiting health care worker exposure, the logistics of medication delivery in a uniform and consolidated manner, protocols for delivering emergent care in a rapidly deteriorating coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patient, and safe practices for transporting infected patients.

Feeling safe versus being safe: Perceptions of safety versus actual disease exposure across the entire health care team

“…These shortages led many organizations to ration existing PPE, re‐sterilize masks, or to devise makeshift PPE out of non‐traditional items ranging from scuba masks to plastic garbage bags 13–16 . Many institutions modified the guidelines instated by WHO and CDC to optimize safety and use of limited protective resources in their specific populations of health care workers in settings such as operating rooms (ORs), ICUs, or primary care units 17–19 . Such institution‐specific measures were needed in the absence of the ability to order standard supplies in a timely manner, as reported fear of contracting COVID‐19 among health care workers escalated 20,21 .…”

“…[13][14][15][16] Many institutions modified the guidelines instated by WHO and CDC to optimize safety and use of limited protective resources in their specific populations of health care workers in settings such as operating rooms (ORs), ICUs, or primary care units. [17][18][19] Such institution-specific measures were needed in the absence of the ability to order standard supplies in a timely manner, as reported fear of contracting COVID-19 among health care workers escalated. 20,21 Health care workers have indicated that they feel more comfortable using PPE if they receive consistent communication and training regarding their correct use from their institution.…”