Front-line healthcare personnel in the United States should be prepared to evaluate patients for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The following checklist highlights key steps for healthcare personnel in preparation for transport and arrival of patients with confirmed or possible COVID-19.
Healthcare Personnel Preparedness Checklist for COVID-19
- Stay up to date on the latest information about signs and symptoms, viral testing, and case definitions for coronavirus disease 2019.
- Review your infection prevention and control policies and CDC infection control recommendations for COVID-19 for:
- Assessment and triage of patients with acute respiratory symptoms
- Patient placement
- Implementation of Standard, Contact, and Airborne Precautions, including the use of eye protection
- Visitor management and exclusion
- Source control measures for patients (e.g., put facemask on suspect patients)
- Requirements for performing aerosol generating procedures
- Be alert for patients who meet the persons under investigation (PUI) definition
- Know how to report a potential COVID-19 case or exposure to facility infection control leads and public health officials
- Know who, when, and how to seek evaluation by occupational health following an unprotected exposure (i.e., not wearing recommended PPE) to a suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 patient
- Remain at home, and notify occupational health services, if you are ill
- Know how to contact and receive information from your state or local public health agency