RE: Bloody hell18 Mar 2020 07:57
This is what should happen:-
in particular: In order to prevent secondary transmission in healthcare settings, healthcare providers should be informed of the
ongoing outbreak, and EU/EEA countries should ensure that timely and rigorous IPC measures are applied when
dealing with suspect and confirmed cases, from the first suspicion of COVID-2019. ECDC recommends that
suspected cases in primary and emergency care are isolated, or if this is not feasible, separated from other
patients. Suspected patients should be asked to wear a surgical mask in order to reduce the spread of respiratory
droplets [54]. Starting from scenario 2, organising separate areas or facilities for triaging of suspected cases should
be considered and planned for in scenario 1.
Although there is so far no evidence of airborne transmission, we recommend a cautious approach due to lack of
studies excluding this mode of transmission. Confirmed cases requiring admission should be placed in an isolation
room with a dedicated bathroom. The placement in airborne precaution single rooms with negative pressure and
ante-room, if available, is encouraged until more information about transmission routes is available. Healthcare
workers managing suspected or confirmed cases should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for contact,
droplet and airborne transmission. When using PPE, the correct donning and doffing process should be followed;
further information on the donning and doffing procedures can be found in the ECDC Technical Document
‘Guidance for wearing and removing personal protective equipment in healthcare settings for the care of patients
with suspected or confirmed COVID-19’ [55].
In scenario 2-4, ECDC recognises that with increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases, full compliance with airborne
precautions may be challenging, because of lack of time and/or the lack of PPE. Given the lack of evidence for
airborne transmission of COVID-19 to date, surgical mask may be used in case of shortage of FFP2 or FFP3
respirators. In case of aerosol-generating procedures (e.g. intubation, BAL, sputum induction), FFP2 and FFP3
respirators should always be used. Standard precautions should always be implemented for all patients, including
full compliance with hand hygiene according to WHO’s 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene approach before touching a
patient [56], before any clean or aseptic procedure is performed, after exposure to body fluid, after touching a
patient, and after touching a patient’s surroundings. Respiratory hygiene measures include ensuring that all
patients cover their nose and mouth with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing; offering a medical mask to
patients with suspected 2019-nCoV infection while they are in waiting/public areas or in cohorting rooms;
performing hand hygiene after contact with respiratory secretions.
Regular cleaning followed by disinfection of patients’ rooms, furniture and frequently touched surfaces with
hospital disin