Page 34 - Delaware Medical Journal - March/April 2020

How to Beat COVID-19
or Any Other High-Consequence Infectious Disease
Rick Hong, MD
As the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC)
continue to closely monitor an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) initially detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in December 2019, this event remains dynamic, with evolving information on the pathogen. Regardless of the frequent updates in guidance, several recommendations persist to reduce the risk of transmission of any high-consequence infectious disease.
EARLY SCREENING
Although many facilities rely on electronic medical record (EMR) software applications to screen patients, all providers and staff are responsible for asking the pertinent questions regarding travel, symptoms, time of onset, frequently change as the situation progresses. The basic screening tool for COVID-19 should include the following:
■ SYMPTOMS: Does the person have fever or symptoms of lower respiratory infection, such as cough or shortness of breath?
AND
■ TRAVEL: Has the patient
traveled to affected geographic areas with widespread transmission identified by the CDC (www. cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ travelers/index.html) within 14 days of symptom onset?
OR
■ SICK CONTACTS: Has the patient had close contact with a person confirmed with COVID-19 infection?
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Del Med J | March/April 2020 | Vol. 92 | No. 2