Increase in COVID-19 Infections Prompts Kerala to Organize Hospitals' Emergency Response Drills
🌴 Kerala Steps Up COVID-19 Safeguards:
As COVID-19 cases continue to climb in Kerala, the state health department has taken decisive action. They've issued revised guidelines and instructions to hospitals and health workers, and even urged everyone to stay vigilant.
Wanting to ensure hospitals are well-prepared for potential surges, the health department is forcing all government and private facilities to conduct mock drills. They've even provided a nifty Google Form for online submission of drill reports, so it's easier for each facility to demonstrate their preparedness.
When it comes to treating patients exhibiting symptoms of both COVID-19 and flu, the hospitals must stick to the latest ABC Guidelines 03, released in June 2023. This means doctors and nurses will pay close attention to potential "red flags" such as breathlessness, chest pain, drowsiness, falling blood pressure, hemoptysis, and cyanosis in adults. For kids, they'll look out for symptoms like persistent high fever, feeding issues, somnolence, seizures, and breathing difficulties.[1][2][5]
As for those at greater risk of severe illness, like the elderly, pregnant women, or individuals with underlying conditions, the health department strongly encourages them to wear masks in public places. If they show any symptoms, they should reach out to the health department right away.[2][3]
If someone's diagnosed with COVID-19, they'll be treated according to the established protocol. All hospitalized patients with Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), or Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) must undergo COVID-19 testing. If the Rapid Antigen Test comes back negative, the RT-PCR test will be conducted.
COVID-19 and flu patients should be kept separate in hospitals, and everyone inside, including patients, their companions, and healthcare workers, must wear masks. Visitors and bystanders in hospitals are limited, and tests will be administered to anyone displaying symptoms or working in healthcare settings.
With the rise in cases, the state's RT-PCR facilities in districts are being utilized to the utmost capacity for testing purposes, while promoting practices like mask use, cough hygiene, and hand washing in public spaces.
Lastly, hospital facilities that urgently require more resources should ensure an adequate supply of oxygen, medicines, personal protective equipment like N95 masks, gloves, and aprons, oxygen-supported beds, ventilators, and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds to cater to the growing number of patients.[5]
Stay safe, Kerala! 💪🏼 [1] Kerala Health Department Guidelines, June 2023, [2] NewsMinute, "Kerala health department issues new COVID-19 guidelines for hospitals," [3] The Indian Express, "COVID-19: All patients with ILI, ARI and SARI symptoms to be tested in Kerala," [5] Business Today, "Kerala:COVID-19 precautions for high-risk individuals"]
To effectively manage medical conditions during the rise of COVID-19 cases, hospitals in Kerala must adhere to the latest ABC Guidelines 03 when treating patients exhibiting symptoms of both COVID-19 and flu. Healthcare workers should be vigilant in looking for red flags such as breathlessness, chest pain, and cyanosis in adults or persistent high fever, feeding issues, and breathing difficulties in children. For the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying medical conditions, the health department strongly encourages the use of masks in public places, and anyone showing symptoms should contact the health department immediately.
