(Snippets from the frontline)
COVID-19: Housecalls – what are the rules?
I do housecalls. Most of my patients are older than 65. Some are bedridden and immobile. They could be susceptible to COVID-19.
Many healthcare professionals do housecalls: Nurses, physical and occupational therapists, wound care specialists, nutritionalists, social workers, psychologists, and case managers.
What rules protect patients, and the healthcare professional? There are none.
As logical human beings, may I suggest the following:
- Everyone wears masks and gloves including the patient;
- If you have other PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment), wear them;
- Minimize family members in the room and maintain social distancing;
- Decontaminate tools like blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, pulse oximeters, stethoscopes, while thoroughly washing hands before and after the exam;
- Don’t sit down;
- Carefully calibrate time with your patient diminishing exposure;
- Don’t see patients if you have a cough, fever, or even remotely feel you are infected;
- Call the patient beforehand making sure they don’t have symptoms;
- Determine if the visit can be delayed until the crisis is over;
- Utilize telemedicine if possible through a phone conversation, FaceTime, or Skype.
Please feel free to make suggestions.
During a housecall, preventing the exchange of COVID-19 between healthcare workers and patients is imperative.
Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.
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