Preparedness in primary care offices for Covid 19

Questions for all nurses working in outpatient doctor's office. Do you have clear direction on what to do if a patient makes it into your exam rooms and is suspected of Covid 19? Does your office have the capabilities to test for Covid 19 if department of public health says the qualify for testing? And does your office have all the PPE required for caring for a person under suspicion?

[Sbhayes09, ADN, RN]

We had an in-service today on testing protocols. We notify anyone that's going to be in close contact to gown, glove, mask, and face shield. We bring the pt straight back to a room, the nurse goes in and gets vitals, history, and tests for flu. We wait for results in house. If negative, we notify doctor and he goes in to test for CV and usually orders a chest X-ray as well (we have in house radiology). They're walked to the X-ray, waited for, and walked back to the room. At that point the provider results the X ray and usually sends them home to quarantine until results are ready.

On 3/11/2020 at 9:08 AM, Rungal said:

Questions for all nurses working in outpatient doctor's office. Do you have clear direction on what to do if a patient makes it into your exam rooms and is suspected of Covid 19? Does your office have the capabilities to test for Covid 19 if department of public health says the qualify for testing? And does your office have all the PPE required for caring for a person under suspicion?

Yes to all of the above and a good workflow as well, including contact lists for key people at public health, etc.

[Sbhayes09, ADN, RN]

Just now, CharleeFoxtrot said:

Yes to all of the above and a good workflow as well, including contact lists for key people at public health, etc.

Yes! There is a CDC system for reporting testing which includes about 5 pages of paperwork on the patient and patient contacts. We also use biohazard bags for all medical waste related to this patient and wipe down all supplies and room with bleach immediately after.