COVID-19 frequently asked inpatient questions: Difference between revisions

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==[[Hospital Discharge Related Questions]]==
==[[Hospital Discharge Related Questions]]==
==Re-Infection Related Questions==
==[[Re-Infection Related Questions]]==
====Do patients become immune after recovering from COVID-19?====
====Is re-infection worse than the initial infection?====
====Will a re-infected person show the same symptoms as the initial infection?====
====Are clinically recovered persons infectious to others if they test persistently or recurrently positive for SARS-COV-2 RNA?====


==Pregnancy Related Questions==
==[[Pregnancy Related Questions]]==
====Does hospital deliver increase the mother or baby's chances of contracting COVID-19?====
====Should intrapartum fever be considered as a possible sign of COVID-19 infection?====
Clinicians should use their judgment to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. Fever is the most commonly reported sign; most patients with confirmed COVID-19 have developed a fever and/or symptoms of acute respiratory illness (cough, difficulty breathing).
Data regarding COVID-19 in pregnancy are limited; according to current information, presenting signs and symptoms are expected to be similar to those for non-pregnant patients, including the presence of fever.
Other considerations that may guide testing are epidemiologic factors such as the occurrence of local community transmission of COVID-19 infections. As part of the evaluation, clinicians are strongly encouraged to test for other causes of respiratory illness and peripartum fever.
====Are unborn babies of COVID-19 patients already infected with the virus?====
====What is the guidance available for labor and delivery Health Care Personnel with potential exposure in a healthcare setting to patients with COVID-19 infection?====
====Are Pregnant healthcare personnel at increased risk for adverse outcomes if they care for patients with COVID-19 infection?====
====Should patients proceed with a scheduled cesarean delivery if hospitalized with COVID-19?====
====Are glucocorticoids contraindicated in pregnant patients with COVID-19?====
====Are pregnant women more susceptible to infection or at increased risk for severe illness, morbidity, or mortality with COVID-19?====
====Are hospitals testing all women who arrive at the hospital in labor for COVID-19 even if they show no symptoms====
====Can nursing mothers with COVID-19 breastfeed their child?====
In the limited studies available, COVID-19 has not been found in breast milk. However, babies can get the virus from contact with mothers or other caregivers. The CDC recommends breastfeeding or feeding expressed breast milk to babies while taking precautions to avoid spreading the virus. Breast milk protects babies from getting sick and is the best source of nutrition for most babies. Breastfeeding helps strengthen the baby’s immune system because breast milk contains antibodies and other important components.


If a person sick or experiencing symptoms, they should take all possible precautions to protect the baby, including washing hands before and wearing a facemask prior to touching the baby. Patients may breastfeed directly or express breast milk for a healthy caregiver to feed to the baby.


====How many people can be present in the room during births?====
The CDC has advised hospitals to limit the number of people allowed in hospitals, including visitors and non-essential staff to reduce exposure of patients and health care workers, to COVID-19. During labor, hospitals have generally made exceptions to allow a support person as long as they are not experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19.
Patients can talk to their facilities or health care provider about their policies and question if facilities are allowing any exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Primary support persons should be decided in advance and a second person should be identified in case the primary support person is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Plans can also be made with providers about connecting with additional support-people through platforms such as FaceTime, Google Hangouts, or Zoom.
====Can a baby stay with a COVID-19 infected mother after delivery?====
CDC recognizes that the ideal setting for the care of a healthy, full-term newborn during the birth hospitalization is within the mother’s room. Temporary separation of the newborn from a mother with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be considered to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to the newborn. The risks and benefits of temporary separation of the mother from her newborn should be discussed with the mother by her healthcare team. Decisions about temporary separation should be made with respect to the mother’s wishes. If the mother chooses a temporary separation to reduce the risk of spreading the virus and would like to breastfeed, she should express breast milk and have a healthy caregiver who is not at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 bottle feed the newborn the expressed breast milk if possible.
If the mother with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 does not choose temporary separation in the hospital, she should take precautions to avoid spreading the virus to the newborn, including washing her hands and wearing a cloth face covering when within 6 feet of her newborn. The newborn should be kept ≥6 feet away from the mother, as much as possible, including the use of physical barriers (e.g., placing the newborn in an incubator).
====Can COVID-19 be transmitted via breastmilk?====
The limited studies on breastfeeding women with COVID-19 have not found the virus in breast milk. The main concern is the parent or caregiver infecting the baby through respiratory droplets. Precautions should be taken to keep your baby healthy, including washing hands before touching and feeding your baby and wearing a face mask if you are experiencing symptoms or confirmed positive with COVID-19.
====What should mothers do if they have been discharged, but have not med the criteria to discontinue self-isolation?====
Mothers may choose to continue to separate from the newborn at home to reduce the risk of spreading the virus if a healthy caregiver is available. If a healthy caregiver is not available, a mother with COVID-19 can still care for her infant if she is well enough while using precautions (for example, hand washing, wearing a cloth face covering).
====What precautions can mothers take when directly breastfeeding a child?====
As always, before touching the baby the hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and running water for 2o seconds or more. If the mother has tested positive or suspects she has COVID-19, she should wear a face mask and wash hands before each feeding.
====What precautions should mothers take when feeding expressed breast milk to a child?====
If you are sick or choose to express breast milk to feed your baby, you can do so with hand expression or a breast pump (manual or electric). Be sure to use proper hand washing before touching any pump or bottle parts and before expressing breast milk. Follow recommendations for proper pump cleaning after each use and thoroughly clean all parts that come into contact with breast milk. Clean the pump after each pumping session according to the pump manufacturer’s instructions.
If possible, or if you are too sick to feed your baby, have another healthy person feed your expressed milk to your baby. Be sure everyone feeding your baby follows proper hand hygiene and wears a face mask if experiencing symptoms. To establish and keep your milk supply, it is important to express your milk from the breast as often as your baby eats every day, typically 8-12 times a day for newborns or every 1.5 to 3 hours.
====Should infants and new-borns wear face shields?====
Plastic face shields for newborns and infants are NOT recommended. There are no data supporting the use of infant face shields for protection against COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses. An infant face shield could increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or accidental suffocation and strangulation. Infants, including newborns, move frequently, which could increase the possibility of their nose and mouth becoming blocked by the plastic face shield or foam components. The baby’s movement could also cause the face shield to become displaced, resulting in strangulation from the strap.


==Pediatrics Related Questions==
==Pediatrics Related Questions==

Revision as of 21:41, 13 June 2020

Frequently Asked Inpatient Questions Microchapter

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Visitors Related Questions

General In-Patient Questions

Management of Dead Bodies from COVID-19

General Health Care Practitioner (HCP) Questions

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Gurmandeep Singh Sandhu,M.B.B.S.[2] Aisha Adigun, B.Sc., M.D.[3]Harmeet Kharoud M.D.[4]Rinky Agnes Botleroo, M.B.B.S.Nuha Al-Howthi, MD[5]Ifrah Fatima, M.B.B.S[6]}

Treatment Based Questions

Complications Based Questions

Co-Morbidity Based Questions

Hospital Discharge Related Questions

Re-Infection Related Questions

Pregnancy Related Questions

Pediatrics Related Questions

Are children with congenital heart diseases at increased risk of COVID-19?

Are children with underlying conditions at increased risk of hospitalization?

Is there and an association between KAWASAKI disease and COVID-19?

Is Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) fatal? What precautions can be taken to avoid it?

Should routinely-recommended Hepatitis A and B vaccines continue to be administered to children?

Should vaccinations for HBV exposed infants be continued during the COVID 19 pandemic?

Visitors Related Questions

Can I have visitors while I’m in the hospital?

Is there anything I can to do to help others who have COVID-19?

I would like to accompany my family member or friend for their procedure or appointments I am concerned they will need my support to cope or understand the information being shared with them by the healthcare team

General In-Patient Questions

Does being hospitalized with other COVID-19 patients worsen my outcome?

What are the diet recommendations if I get hospitalized?

What can I expect while I’m in the hospital?

When can I leave the hospital?

Can you catch COVID-19 from a blood transfusion?

There is no evidence that coronaviruses are transmissible by blood transfusion. Furthermore, pre-donation screening procedures are designed to prevent donations from people with symptoms of respiratory illnesses.

Do wastewater & sewage workers need additional protection when handling untreated waste from hospitals with COVID-19 patients?

Wastewater workers should use standard practices including basic hygiene precautions and wear the recommended PPE( Personal Protective Equipment) like goggles,protective face mask or splash-proof face shield,liquid-repellent coveralls,waterproof gloves,rubber boots as prescribed for their current work tasks when handling untreated waste.Basic Hygiene precautions include:

  • Washing hands with soap and water immediately after handling human waste or sewage.
  • Avoid touching face, mouth, eyes, nose, or open sores and cuts while handling human waste or sewage.
  • After handling human waste or sewage, wash hands with soap and water before eating or drinking.
  • After handling human waste or sewage, wash hands with soap and water before and after using the toilet.
  • Removing soiled work clothes before eating food and eating in designated areas away from human waste and sewage-handling activities.
  • Not smoking or chewing tobacco or gum while handling human waste or sewage.
  • Keeping open sores, cuts, and wounds covered with clean, dry bandages.
  • Gently flushing eyes with safe water if human waste or sewage contacts eyes.
  • Using waterproof gloves to prevent cuts and contact with human waste or sewage.
  • Wearing rubber boots at the worksite and during transport of human waste or sewage.
  • Removing rubber boots and work clothes before leaving worksite.
  • Cleaning contaminated work clothing daily with 0.05% chlorine solution (1-part household bleach to 100-parts water).

Management of Dead Bodies from COVID-19?

Do any special procedures exist for the management of bodies of persons who died from COVID-19?

General Health Care Practitioner (HCP) questions

I have underlying health conditions, are there work restrictions in place for me?

Is post-exposure prophylaxis currently available, and when can it be used?

Can routine vaccinations still be administered to patients?

Should I use face mask/respirator while taking care of pregnant patients with known/suspected COVID-19 infection?

When available, respirators (or facemasks if a respirator is not available), eye protection, gloves, and gowns should be used for the care of pregnant patients with known or suspected COVID-19 infection.

I am a Health Care Practitioner living with someone who is at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 infection. What precautions should I take?

There are no additional precautions for Health Care Practitioner. Some Health Care Practitioner may choose to implement extra measures when arriving home from providing healthcare, such as removing any clothing worn during delivery of healthcare, taking off shoes, washing clothing, and immediately showering. However, these are optional personal practices because there is insufficient evidence on whether they are effective.People at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should take the general precautions recommended for them which includes washing hands often, taking everyday precautions to keep space between them and others (stay 6 feet away, which is about two arm lengths),staying away from people who are sick,cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched services.

I am pregnant and a health care worker. Can I work with patients who are potentially infected with COVID-19?

Information on COVID-19 in pregnancy is limited. Pregnant women are not currently considered at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. However, pregnant women have had a higher risk of severe illness when infected with viruses from the same family as COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections, such as influenza.

Are there work restrictions recommended for HCP with underlying health conditions who may care for COVID-19 patients?

  • Adherence to recommended infection prevention and control practices is an important part of protecting HCP and patients in healthcare settings. All HCP who care for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients should adhere to standard and transmission based precautions.
  • To the extent feasible, healthcare facilities could consider prioritizing HCP who are not at higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 or who are not pregnant to care for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients.
  • If staffing shortages make this challenging, facilities could consider restricting HCP at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 or who are pregnant from being present for higher-risk procedures (e.g., aerosol-generating procedures) on COVID-19 patients.
  • HCP who are concerned about their individual risk for severe illness from COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions while caring for COVID-19 patients can discuss their concerns with their supervisor or occupational health services.
  • People 65 years and older and people of all ages with serious underlying health conditions — like serious heart conditions, chronic lung disease, and diabetes — seem to be at higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19.

Whom should healthcare providers notify if they suspect a patient has COVID-19?

Healthcare providers should immediately notify infection control personnel at their facility if they suspect COVID-19 in a patient. If a patient tests positive, providers should report positive results to their local/state health department.

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