COVID-19 Risk assessment for use in a HOSPITAL SETTING

CONTACT DETAILS At entry to hospital: Segregate possible COVID-19 and non COVID-19
PUBLIC HEALTH MOH:
(OOH 0818 501999) patients into two Parallel Streams
HSE E: 01 635 2145
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS (SP)
HSE M: 057 935 9891
 Perform Hand Hygiene
HSE MW: 061 483 337 Criteria for COVID-19 parallel stream:  Respiratory hygiene and
HSE NE: 046 907 6412 cough etiquette
HSE NW: 071 985 2900 Recent onset of fever or chills and/or signs or symptoms of respiratory tract  Environmental cleaning
HSE SE: 056 778 4142 infection, which includes cough
HSE S: 021 492 7601
HSE W: 091 775 200 OR Maintain at least 1 METRE
NIU: 01-830 1122 (Ask for ID Contact (>15 min face-to face contact at <2 metres distance1) with a DISTANCE
Consultant on call) confirmed case of COVID-19. Click here for further details on the definition CONTACT & DROPLET
of close contacts PRECAUTIONS:
1. A distance of 1 metre is  Perform Hand Hygiene
generally regarded as sufficient  Long-sleeved gown (single
to minimise direct exposure to Rapidly differentiate into need for acute hospital assessment use/disposable preferable)
droplets however, for Public  Respiratory protection
Health purposes, a close versus discharge to home assessment/testing (surgical mask)
contact definition of 2  Eye protection (face shield or
metres has been specified.
Discharge to community Admission to hospital goggles)
 Gloves
 Respiratory hygiene and
 ISOLATE in a single room if possible cough etiquette
If patient is well and does not need hospital  If a single room is not possible put mask on patient  Patient placement
admission, discharge for testing in the community:  STANDARD, CONTACT & DROPLET PRECAUTIONS (IPC guidance)
 Testing in the community may be arranged through the  See guidance on collection and transportation of specimens for AIRBORNE precautions for aerosol
generating procedures
patient’s GP. Do not use 999 OR 112. SARS-CoV-2 testing: Combined swab for NASOPHARYNGEAL and
 As above but use an FFP2
 The patient may be driven home by a person who has OROPHARYNGEAL SAMPLE (one swab to test both is sufficient) or
mask rather than surgical
already had significant exposure, who is aware of the Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or ENDOTRACHEAL ASPIRATE or SPUTUM
(if produced).
risks and who is willing to drive them. If patient had
driven themselves, they may drive home if feeling well  ADVICE available from the National Isolation Unit (NIU) as required NVRL test: Not Detected
(adults). Maintain IPC precautions until
enough to drive.
 Patient must remain isolated at home pending test and  Continue isolation in a single room while awaiting test results. discussed with Infection
Prevention and Control team.
result. See here for guidance on self-isolation.

 NVRL/Laboratory to inform COVID-19 clinician

Please note background colour coding indicates
infection control precautions as per right-hand panel
Version 8.2 Publication date: 18/03/2020
Reviewed and approved by the Coronavirus Expert Advisory Group 16/03/2020
 All patient management to be supported by input from ID Clinician/
NVRL TEST Microbiologist in line with IPC guidance
POSITIVE  Advice is available from NIU if required
 PUBLIC HEALTH to complete COVID-19 case form and input information
on CIDR