| REVIEW ARTICLE |
|
| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 7
| Issue : 2 | Page : 66-68 |
|
|
Staff and clinic protection during COVID pandemic
Vinod Hanumanthu1, Raihan Ashraf1, Rashmi Sarkar2, Muthu Sendhil Kumaran1
1 Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
2 Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Muthu Sendhil Kumaran
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh 160012
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/Pigmentinternational.Pigmentinternational_
|
|
|
The impact of novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on the healthcare system has been devastating and the medical fraternity is facing challenges to tackle this catastrophic outbreak. With regard to dermatology practice, we review various outbreak response measures to be followed by the dermatology staff at clinic in constrained environment. Preventive measures like social distancing, hand hygiene practices and protective measures such as introduction of personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff, standardization of clinical guidelines and continuing medical services via teleconsultation are recommended. Physical consultation has been limited to emergency-based services. Although teledermatology would never replace physical consultation, it might serve as an adjunctive role in providing adequate services to the non-emergent conditions and minimizes the risk of exposure of both doctors and patients. Non-urgent visits of the patients are being discouraged and elective dermatology procedures are being postponed. Dermatologists should also recognize and educate health care workers about primary cutaneous features of COVID-19 as well possible dermatological side effects arising from prolonged usage of PPE and hand hygiene practices. Limited office-based and in-patient services with a parallel increase in teledermatology consultations will allow effective dermatologic care and services to the public while ensuring minimum transmission of the virus.
|
|
|
|
| [FULL TEXT] [PDF]* |
|
 |
|
