Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, Education and Research

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VOLUME 55 , ISSUE 4 ( October-December, 2021 ) > List of Articles

COMMENTARY

Low-cost Modifications in the COVID-19 Screening Outpatient Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India in the Rational Use of Personal Protective Equipment

Neeraj Singla, Deba P Dhibar

Keywords : COVID-19, Healthcare workers, Preventive health, Rationale

Citation Information : Singla N, Dhibar DP. Low-cost Modifications in the COVID-19 Screening Outpatient Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India in the Rational Use of Personal Protective Equipment. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2021; 55 (4):186-187.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10028-1433

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 29-10-2021

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2021; The Author(s).


Abstract

In the COVID-19 pandemic, infection control measures in a hospital setting are mainly aimed to reduce transmission of COVID-19 among healthcare workers working both in the COVID-19/non-COVID-19 areas. These include complete source control (covering the nose and mouth with appropriate masks to contain respiratory secretions), early identification (by widespread testing), isolation of patients with suspected disease, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) while caring for patients with COVID-19, and ensuring proper disinfection of biomedical waste as per the standard hospital guidelines. At our institute, the screening outpatient department (OPD) room was separated for patients by a roof to floor fully covered with transparent glass partition with aluminum borders (Fig. 1). Communication with patients was established with mike (microphones) and speakers placed on both sides of the interphase for better audibility. It was sanitized with 1% Na hypochlorite solution three times a day.


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