The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that healthcare providers perform screening tests on patients with symptoms of COVID-19 in an isolated room to protect other patients from potential exposure to the virus.
The Smart Pod, a rapidly deployable medical facility that was designed in the wake of the Ebola virus, can serve as a biocontainment unit for airborne pathogens. This emergency solution has been developed by Baylor College of Medicine as a nimble, standardized facility that is optimized for epidemics.
The expandable, 403 ft2 facility has the dimensions of a standard shipping container in its folded and most compact form. It can be easily transported and reassembled, providing a rapid option for augmenting limited resources. The Smart Pod is a one-stop solution for epidemics, with supplies and equipment inside the pod.
In the unit, infection control is strengthened with antimicrobial flooring, HEPA filters, and a UVC lighting system proven to eliminate 99.7% of pathogens, including airborne pathogens like COVID-19. This relocatable clinic can be constructed with a negative pressure system, allowing for the elimination of contaminated air.
Coronavirus / COVID-19 Procedures
Handwashing is an easy and simple way for healthcare providers to maintain a safe and healthy environment for both themselves and the patient. The following handwashing protocol should be used before and after patient contact.
Coronavirus / COVID-19 Procedures
Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn when screening patients for COVID19. The PPE package must include:
- Gown,
- Gloves,
- Respirator or medical mask
- Eye protection
The following protocol describes the proper procedures for donning and doffing PPE.
Coronavirus / COVID-19 Procedures
While different types of diagnostic tests may be used to detect coronavirus disease, a nasopharyngeal swab test is the most common. The test must be performed by a trained healthcare provider. If cell culture is collected in a wrong manner, the diagnosis obtained may be incorrect.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that providers use a sterile dacron or rayon swab with a flexible, plastic shaft for deep nasal sampling. Cotton, calcium alginate swabs, or swabs with wooden sticks may contain such compounds that can inactivate some viruses and inhibit the diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The following protocol describes the proper procedure for collecting a nasopharyngeal swab sample.
Coronavirus / COVID-19 Procedures
