Are your facilities discussing the novel coronavirus yet? Are you getting any guidelines now that we know it's transmitted person to person?
13 minutes ago, 2BS Nurse said:"Health Care Providers" should obtain a detailed history. The problem is, the patient has already coughed on other patients and our clerks who are checking them in. We need someone at the front door asking patients to put on a mask.
CDC website is open to the general public; they are referring to health care providers as in, the entity, the places where the patients are going to come and all the associated people/employees with whom they are going to interact at that place. They are not solely referring to licensed medical providers.
Have you been told that your idea is inappropriate/unnecessary at your place of work? If so, what rationale was given?
1 hour ago, 2BS Nurse said:"Health Care Providers" should obtain a detailed history. The problem is, the patient has already coughed on other patients and our clerks who are checking them in. We need someone at the front door asking patients to put on a mask.
In my area most, if not all, physicians offices, urgent care centers, and emergent departments have a box of masks with a sign asking all, patients and visitors alike, with a fever, cough, and or respiratory symptoms to don one.
1 hour ago, 2BS Nurse said:Yes, I have. Rationale is typically an eye roll.
What exactly have you suggested your facility do?
22 minutes ago, chare said:In my area most, if not all, physicians offices, urgent care centers, and emergent departments have a box of masks with a sign asking all, patients and visitors alike, with a fever, cough, and or respiratory symptoms to don one.
What exactly have you suggested your facility do?
SEE ABOVE. Ask about recent travel before they get to the waiting rooms. Coughing patients are allowed to refuse a mask. They should be asked to leave the clinic if they refuse.
JKL33
7,043 Posts
They should be asked immediately upon arrival if they have the common sx and have just returned from China or have a concern about exposure. If so, utilize masks, isolate them (without causing additional exposures in the process), and call your chain of command for additional guidance. ??♀️ [Off-the-cuff basics not official advice].
You can always call your HD to see if they have additional specific instructions.
But right now they have the symptoms +/- a reasonable concern for actual exposure (travel to area or contact with someone). As the situation changes the CDC will issue additional statements.
Here is a current statement (emphasis added):
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-wuhan-china