Abstract
Justification
The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has had a formidable impact on Indian health care. With no sight of its end as yet, various establishments including the smaller clinics and nursing homes are restarting full operations. Hence, there is the need for recommendations to allow safe practice ensuring the safety of both the heath care worker (HCW) and patients.
Process
Indian Academy of Pediatrics organized an online meeting of subject experts on 27 July, 2020. A committee was formed comprising of pediatricians, pediatric and neonatal intensivists, and hospital administrators. The committee held deliberations (online and via emails) and a final consensus was reached by November, 2020.
Objectives
To develop recommendations to provide a safe and practical healthcare facility at clinics and small establishments during COVID times.
Recommendations
The key recommendation to practise safely in this setting are enumerated. Firstly, organizing the out-patient department (OPD). Secondly, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to provide protection to the individual. Thirdly, decontamination/disinfection of various common surfaces and equipment to prevent transmission of infection from fomites. Next, maintaining the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) to provide a stress-free, comfortable, and safe environment for patients and HCWs. Finally, steps to effectively manage COVID-19 exposures in a non-COVID-19 facility. All these measures will ensure safe practice during these unprecedent times in clinics and smaller establishments.
Keywords: Preparedness, Physical distancing, Resource-limited setting, SARI
Footnotes
Disclaimer
This practice guideline is intended to assist pediatricians and their support staff in safely practicing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guideline at best serves as a quick reference providing practical advice on continuing medical practice in a safe way in clinics and small establishments. This is a broad advisory and is not intended to override any local or national government policies. This guideline is based on the currently available evidence on COVID-19 and its applicability in the Indian context. With any further developments, the guideline will be subjected to change.
Contributors
SC, DG, AB, GVB: conception and design of the work and drafting the work; BJP, SSK, SD, PN, NS, AB, AJC: substantial contributions to the acquisition and interpretation of data for the work, and revising it critically for important intellectual content. All authors provided approval for the final version to be published.
Funding
None
Competing Interests
None stated.
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