Educations and Health സ്വകാര്യ ആരോഗ്യ പരിരക്ഷാ സ .കര്യങ്ങൾ

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AIM

To provide guidance on how best to facilitate the safe and gradual restoration of private healthcare sector services and have adequate measures in place to protect the health of patients and healthcare workers by reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission during treatment as much as practicable.

COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Appoint a designated employee to act as a Compliance Officer to ensure implementation, compliance, and monitoring of all guidance, including social distancing, hygiene, and infection prevention, and control.
The designated Compliance Officer must stay abreast, monitor, and document compliance with all MOPH issued directives, protocols, and guidance.

COVID-19 RISK ASSESSMENT AND RESPONSE PLAN

Develop and update a COVID-19 response plan to deal with suspected/confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the workplace and specify what is to be done if an employee displays symptoms during working hours.
Conduct a risk assessment on health and safety before any return to the workplace, and put in place relevant measures to ensure the health and safety of employees in line MOPH guidance. The assessment should cover risks posed by facilities, services, working conditions, and the composition of the workforce.
Based on the conducted risk assessment, develop a plan for resumption of services, and staff return to work in line with the phases.
A log of all participants in any group activity or service that require multiple staff (such as surgical procedures, group therapy sessions, etc.) is kept to facilitate contact tracing if needed.
Consider completing a return to work form for all employees before resuming duties.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

The operational capacity of health facilities should not exceed 80% of the total capacity.
Maintain 1.5 meters minimum distance between people (staff and patients).
Protective screens on counters must be used, if a distance of 1.5 meters or more cannot be assured, to separate between employees and patients unless it impacts the delivery of services.
Continue to provide telemedicine services as possible.
Use floor and furniture markings to maintain appropriate social distancing for patients and staff.
Remind staff of physical distancing requirements - Clear and visible signage.

INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

All employees must undergo regular testing as per MOPH guidance.
Ehteraz App to be downloaded by all employees and patients, and check that the status is green to allow entry.
Measure the temperature of employees and patients on arrival. Set up a separate pathway for patients with temperature equal to or more than 38 degrees as per COVID-19 protocols.
Hand sanitizer to be provided for employees and patients use at several locations that are readily visible and accessible within the facilities.
Masks to be worn by employees and patients at all times.
PPE to be provided to all healthcare workers – full PPE for those making interventions that generate splashes or aerosols, such as dental treatment or others.
Disposable gloves are mandatory for all clinical staff as per MOPH protocol and need to be replaced after every patient encounter.
Avoid handshakes and all forms of physical greetings.
Waiting areas and all regularly touched surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected periodically using standard disinfection products.
Disinfection of examination and treatment rooms as per the infection control protocol approved by MOPH.
A housekeeping log should be maintained.
Toilets are cleaned and disinfected after each use.

HOME VISITS

All staff must undergo testing before conducting home visits
PPE (masks/face shields/gloves) to be worn by healthcare workers for home visits with strict hand hygiene and disinfection of bags/equipment/ hard surfaces between patients

CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS

APPOINTMENTS AND SCHEDULING

Patients must have pre-booked appointments to be seen. No walk-ins allowed except for emergency and urgent care departments.
Minimum 15 minutes to be scheduled between appointments for cleaning and disinfection of clinics.
Priority given to patients with complex or multiple chronic conditions.

WAITING AREAS

Patients attend health facilities only 5 minutes before the scheduled time.
Clinic waiting for areas to allow minimum space of 9 meters square per person.
Do not mix patients with respiratory infection symptoms or high temperature – provide a separate waiting room.
In-facility pharmacy waiting areas must comply with social distancing, floor, and furniture markings. Plastic Shields must be placed between chairs.

ELECTIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURES

Elective patients to undergo COVID-19 screening before procedures.
Avoid elective cases requiring blood transfusions or intensive care in the post-operative period during phase 1 and phase 2.
Full PPE to be worn and replaced after each procedure.

TELEHEALTH CONSULTATIONS

Telehealth consultations and follow-ups, if established, should continue where it is appropriate, depending on the patient’s conditions. Patients at-risk and vulnerable patients (those aged 60 and above, or having complex or multiple chronic conditions) should be prioritized.

MONEY HANDLING

Minimize any cash transactions.
Wipe down credit card readers and other payment methods after each patient/customer use.

PPE SUPPLIES

All healthcare facilities must maintain sufficient PPE supplies, including masks, gloves, etc. to cover the needs of both patients and staff.

TOOLS, SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

Single-use and disposable tools and supplies must be used whenever possible.
Any reusable tools and supplies must be changed after each use, procedure, or patient encounter and properly contained using standard infection prevention and control practices.
All reusable tools and supplies must be appropriately sterilized using standard infection prevention and control practices.

VULNERABLE GROUPS

Employees over the age of 60 should be advised to work from home and delay return to work locations whenever possible.
Employees with chronic conditions should be advised to work from home and delay return to work whenever possible.
Require the completion of a return to Work Form for vulnerable or at-risk employees.

EDUCATION & AWARENESS

Communicate clearly and early with managers and employees on plans to reopen and any new guidance or policies that will be introduced.
Keep employees updated on COVID-19 safety and prevention information and guidelines.
The emphasis that protecting public health is paramount.
Use MOPH health messages and materials. Let patients know what steps you are taking to keep them safe.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

Advise employees and patients, who may be experiencing stress or anxiety related to COVID-19 guidance, to contact the mental health hotline 16000. Refer patients according to MOPH Policy for ‘Addressing Mental Health and Psychosocial Aspects of COVID-19 Outbreak’.

COVID-19 Services Assistant خدمة المساعدة الخاصة بكوفيد-19