5 Infection Control Tips For Doctors To Safeguard Themselves From Covid-19 Infection – Dr Vaishali Solao

Doctors fall in the high-risk category and can
acquire the COVID-19 infection due to the nature of their interactions with
symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Doctors, nurses, and allied healthcare
staff have been a major resource in fighting the pandemic, with their selfless
and relentless efforts. As we have seen over the last three years, some have
paid a very heavy price while carrying out their duties, sadly. We as major
torchbearers of healthcare need to take care of ourselves first, so that we can
give the necessary services to those in need.

These are five simple tips for clinicians that
can help save themselves from COVID-19 infection:

During
the phase of rising infection, consider every patient and accompanying person
as potentially infective. No matter what the complaints of the patients, they can be positive and so can their family members and hence a potential
source of infectionWear an N95 mask: CDC recommends all doctors and healthcare personnel wear N95 when
taking care of potential positive or proven positive patients. The mask should
be well-fitted and NIOSH certified. One mask should not be used for more than a
shift/ day as it gets saturated and loses efficacy. Double masking is not
recommended over N95. If the mask is used for a short duration in a day, it can be
reused for 2-3 days. Store the mask in a dry paper bag in between use and do
not touch the outer surface of the mask. Do not use a mask with exhalation
valves. If you do not have N95 on a particular day, use a well-fitting surgical
mask with another layer of cloth mask on top. But remember, N95 offers the
highest protection and is recommended for all doctors coming in contact with
positive or suspected patientsDistancing in OPD: During OPD consultation, keeping a glass barrier and six feet distance
is highly beneficial. Some specialists will have to examine their patients
closely like ENT or dentists, and their exposure can be higher. A well-ventilated
consulting room also helps cut down the riskHand hygiene:
No matter what level of practice you are in – OPD, Nursing home, primary
secondary or tertiary health care, hand hygiene practices have a major role in
cutting down transmission. Using an alcohol hand rub for 30 seconds or washing
with soap and water after every patient is a mandatory practice for doctorsPPE
in COVID-19 wards or ICU: When working in a COVID-19 ward or ICU, diligently
follow the donning and doffing protocols. An N95 mask, cap, gown, and gloves are
the currently practised personnel protective gear. PPE protocols of the local
hospitals should be strictly adhered to. Wear protective eye gear in addition
to PPE when performing procedures that cause aerosol generation on COVID-19
patients.

Doctors who have high-risk factors like Diabetes,
Cardiovascular Disease, and immunosuppression, should be extremely adherent to
COVID-19-appropriate behaviour at work, and not let their guard down even for a
moment. Doctors and nurses continue to be the principal heroes of the ongoing pandemic.
We consider it our privilege and blessing to be custodians of the health of society,
but it cannot be at the cost of our own health and safety. Save yourself first so that you can save more
patients.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Medical Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Medical Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.