Corona Virus and Nurses

Earlier this month a new coronavirus was identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, belongs to a group of virus known to cause symptoms ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). Two prior coronaviruses, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) together have affected over 10,000 people and have resulted in over 1,600 deaths. COVID-19 has been spreading between people in close contact (within 6 feet) via respiratory droplets typically when an infected person coughs or sneezes.


Nurses and Doctors are prone to get infected if not taken necessary precautions, Nursing care is the unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. But take care of yourself too while taking care of patients.

If you suspect a patient may be infected with COVID-19, immediately implement appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures (World Health Organization, 2020).

Institute standard precautions for all patients 
Practice strict hand washing and respiratory hygiene Apply masks to suspect patients and place them on isolation if possible Instruct patients to cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing Perform hand hygiene after contact with respiratory secretions Use personal protective equipment (PPE) [mask, gown, gloves] to avoid contact with patient blood and other body fluids Prevent needle-stick or sharps injury Ensure safe waste management, environmental cleaning and sterilization of patient equipment

Implement contact and droplet precautions for suspected COVID-19 infection

Patients should be placed in properly ventilated single rooms Don PPE: medical mask, goggles or face shield, a clean, non-sterile, long-sleeve fluid resistant gown, and always wear gloves; remove PPE when leaving the room. Use single use, disposable equipment or dedicated equipment; if equipment must be shared, clean and disinfect with 70% ethyl alcohol between each patient use Clean and disinfect patient-contact surfaces regularly
Institute airborne precautions for aerosol-generating procedures such as open suction of the respiratory tract, administration of nebulized treatments, tracheal intubation, tracheotomy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, manual ventilation before intubation, disconnecting the patient from the ventilator, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), physical proning of the patient, and bronchoscopy

Use particulate respirator (i.e. N95, FFP2 or equivalent) Don PPE: eye protection, gown, gloves Perform procedures in a negative pressure room Limit the number of people in the room to the minimum required to care for and support the patient.


Patient education: The only way to avoid COVID-19 virus is to prevent exposure to it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2020) recommends the following everyday actions to help deter the spread of all respiratory viruses: Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay at home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

ONCE AGAIN- Dear Nurses Give Good Care to Patients and Take care of yourself too. Take Necessary precautions.


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