Coronavirus continues to spread across the globe. And as it spreads, people are becoming
more cautious than ever. However, health care providers are on the receiving end of the
pandemic, considering that they have to deal with the ever-rising number of patients in the
healthcare facilities. The high number of patients poses health risks to them since they can
easily be infected. Though governments have implemented proper strategies for enhancing
hospital safety, the patients and doctors still have more to do to keep themselves safe. This
guide will discuss the various ways of how patients and healthcare providers can remain safe
amidst the pandemic phase.
Create Awareness
Awareness is the first practical measure that health care providers must implement. Most
patients do not fully understand how to protect themselves. Others are ignorant and may not
understand the adverse effects that coronavirus may bring. Hospitals should, therefore, create
awareness for both patients and doctors. They should hold training programs as well as
refresher training to remind them. The training should include the self-care protection measures,
and guides on how to use protective equipment. Both patients and doctors will be safer when
they are trained on how to protect themselves than when they are not educated.
Disinfect
Healthcare facilities should be disinfected regularly. According to health experts, coronavirus can be spread through surfaces. When a Covid 19 victim touches a surface, a healthy person may get the infection from touching the same surface. Hospitals can, therefore, consider disinfecting their premises using sterilants, high-level disinfectants, and UVC machines that emit ultraviolet light to get rid of bacteria. In line with the makers of this clinically tested UVC product, shoes might carry the microbes from one point to another. Therefore, disinfectant products with ultraviolet light can help curb the transfer of the virus through the shoes. The beds, the walls, the floors, and other surfaces should also be disinfected regularly to curb the spread. Healthcare facilities may wish to increase the frequency in which their spaces are cleaned, whether they employ cleaning staff of their own or outsource to someone like this company offering hospital cleaning in Des Moines, IA, to reassure everyone that they are doing everything they can to keep things as safe as possible.
Provide Equipment
Training will not be enough if the protective equipment is not available. The protective gear
includes the masks, the hand sanitizers, the respiratory tools, protective clothing, and boots.
Patients and healthcare providers may not afford these things; hence, it’s up on the hospital
management to provide. The right equipment will make it easier for the people at hospitals to
keep themselves safe and curb the intrahospital spread.
Reporting Procedures
Health care administrators should implement proper reporting procedures for patients. For
instance, there should be a common area for all the patients who report to the hospital. The
receiving unit should observe social distancing measures to prevent new infections. Also, all the
patients who report to the hospitals should be screened, and probably, tested if they show any
symptoms of a respiratory ailment. After that, patients should be taken into the respective wards
or units to receive the right care.
Isolation and Hygiene
Patients with coronavirus symptoms should be placed in mandatory isolation. They should not
interact with any person unless instructed by a healthcare provider. The mandatory isolation will
prevent new infections in the hospital grounds. Maintaining high hygienic standards can help to
reduce the chances of contacting Covid 19. The best hygienic practices could include washing
or sanitizing your hands regularly, disinfecting the working surfaces, cleaning clothes regularly,
etc.
Self-Care Routine During the Pandemic Phase
Observe the following measures to stay safe and healthy, both at the hospital and at home:
Wearing Protective Gear
The virus for Covid 19 can be transmitted through contact with infected people surfaces or
transmitted through the air. Wearing protective equipment reduces the risk of getting infected or
infecting others.The right equipment will enable the people in hospitals to keep themselves safe
and curb the intrahospital spread. Examples of such equipment include Masks, isolation gown,
safety shoes, etc.
Avoid Congested Places
One of the leading risk factors of contacting COVID 19 is staying in crowded places. In that
case, you will risk contracting the disease by inhaling air infected with the virus and getting in
contact with infected surfaces, including clothes worn by people around. It is thus advisable to
avoid congested areas as much as possible.
Observe Any Other Measures From the Department of Health
The Covid 19 disease is still under study. Scientists may invent new ways through which the
virus can be transmitted and their precautionary measures. Therefore, it is advisable to adhere
to any safety measures issued from the relevant ministries to stay free from COVID 19.
Health care facilities should adopt the above measures to keep the hospitals safe. They should
also come up with other strategies to keep patients and health care providers safe. The
strategies combined with the self-care routine will keep the hospitals a safe place.
