Top tips for healthcare practices to plan, prepare and respond to COVID 19

“Healthcare facilities and doctor’s rooms are the first place people will flock to when concerned about possible exposure to the 2019 coronavirus,” says Discovery Health’s Head of the Centre for Clinical Excellence, Dr Noluthando Nematswerani.

“It’s important that healthcare practices are sufficiently prepared to manage this.”

Due to awareness campaigns and media reports, information is as widespread as COVID 19. Most should be aware of their risk and the steps to take to prevent infection. Healthcare authorities and local government are doing all they can to raise awareness of COVID 19, educate people, and correct misconceptions.

“It’s also safe to say that the signs and symptoms of COVID 19 are becoming increasingly well known. People are also aware that they should be concerned about signs and symptoms even if they’re not severe,” says Dr Nematswerani.

“A mild fever, dry or deep cough without any other obvious symptoms are reason enough to exercise caution. People are becoming aware of this. This means that doctor’s rooms and hospitals and clinics are likely to be inundated with visits and countless queries about COVID 19,” she adds.

Local government health departments are working to ensure that healthcare providers have all the resources to best plan, prepare for and respond to the growing need for public care. This could involve treatment with very specific exposure prevention measures.

“With the guidance of local health departments, healthcare providers need to be equipped to handle day to day care and supportive treatment, as well as be ready for any potential widespread outbreak. This is unfortunately a possibility,” says Dr Nematswerani.

“The better prepared healthcare providers are, the better they will be able to control and contain the effects of this infectious disease.”

SH What are some key things healthcare practices and workers can keep in mind?

• Keep up to date with news and current developments in the country (such as public health emergency planning and response activities) and around the world.
• Review and update the emergency plan developed for your healthcare practice.
• Review and update all necessary policies and procedures to better support staff.
• Engage with other key healthcare partners in the area, and develop a plan for managing patients, sharing supplies and accepting the necessary transfers.
• Review and update necessary emergency contact lists.
• Maintain an open chain of communication with staff and patients. Keep everyone in the loop about the latest information, policy updates (such as providing non urgent care to patients telephonically and procedures for consultations) and disease developments.
• Develop screening procedures for patients, staff and any other visitors who enter the healthcare facility or practice. These need to be maintained or adapted according to the practice recommendations at the time.
• Make sure to have proper personal protective equipment on hand and that supplies are adequately maintained.
• Encourage ill employees to remain home and allow for flexibility in general employee policies.
• Prepare a separate environment for any ill patients on site, keeping them away from others who may be well.
• Establish non physical consultation means to help reduce exposure risk, as well as to keep all patients informed about the steps that may need to be taken for their optimum care or treatment. ‘Telephone triage’ can also be used for patient follow ups.

ALL MEDICAL INFORMATION FOUND ON THIS WEBSITE INCLUDING CONTENT, GRAPHICS AND IMAGES, IS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL OBJECTIVES ONLY. DISCOVERY HEALTH PUBLISHES THIS CONTENT TO HELP TO PROTECT AND EMPOWER ALL SOUTH AFRICANS BY PROMOTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF COVID-19.