Coronavirus | Clinical Information for Nurses

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Continue reading to learn more about the basics of SARS CoV-2 and its associated illness, COVID-19, and find an overview of preparedness and infection control measures.</p> <div class="post__social-block grid-x"> <span class="post__author cell small-12 medium-8"> </span> <div class="cell small-12 medium-4 post__social-media addthis_inline_share_toolbox_rq5p"></div> <div class="post__content-well"> <h4>What is Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)?</h4> <p>Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is the illness that is caused by the coronavirus SARS CoV-2 that was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. In February 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally named it COVID-19. CO stands for corona, VI for virus, and D for disease. We do know that SARS CoV-2 easily spreads from person to person via respiratory droplets produced from coughs, sneezes, and even while speaking. When a person is within six feet of someone with SARS CoV-2, these droplets may land in the eyes, mouths or noses of individuals, or be breathed into the mouth or nose. It is also possible to contract SARS CoV-2 if the virus is on your hands by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. SARS CoV-2 can spread in the absence of symptoms. </p> <p><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/projectfirstline/videos/Ep2-Difference-LowRes-New.mp4">Click here</a> to learn more about the association between SARS CoV-2 and COVID-19 from Project Firstline.</p> <p>According to the CDC, symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Although, it is also possible for people to have no symptoms. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:</p> <ul> <li>Fever or chills</li> <li>Cough</li> <li>Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing</li> <li>Fatigue</li> <li>Muscle or body aches</li> <li>Headache</li> <li>New loss of taste or smell</li> <li>Sore throat</li> <li>Congestion or runny nose</li> <li>Nausea or vomiting</li> <li>Diarrhea</li> </ul> <h4>Preparedness, Early Identification, and Notification</h4> <p>All nurses and the health care team must receive the highest level of protection to provide care for the individuals and communities in which they serve. It is essential to develop and educate ALL staff on preparedness plans that provide infection control procedures and protocols used within the health care facility for the early identification, containment, and care of patients with symptoms associated with COVID-19 to prevent spread within the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">facility</a>.</p> <ul> <li>Obtain updated inventory of all resources needed for response. This includes staffing resources, space, equipment, and PPE.</li> <li>Develop inpatient, ambulatory, and home care policies and procedures that are in line with current CDC guidelines for COVID-19</li> <li>Provide training to all personnel on screening, isolation and transport procedures</li> <li>Provide  updated training and guidelines on the use of <a href="/practice-policy/work-environment/health-safety/disaster-preparedness/coronavirus/what-you-need-to-know/clinical-information/infection-control-and-prevention/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PPE and infection control measures</a> to prevent the spread within the facility and amongst patients and staff</li> <li>Display clear signage with instructions for access and use of PPE</li> <li>Ensure consistent use of proper hand hygiene, standard precautions, contact precautions, and airborne precautions, along with the proper use of a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-Approved N-95 respirator or higher (refer to Infection Control and Prevention Section)</li> <li>Clearly display signage for patients that lists symptoms and instructions to wear a face mask before entering the health care facility</li> <li>To address asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">update the policy to require everyone (e.g., healthcare personnel, patients, visitors) entering a healthcare facility wear a face mask, regardless of symptoms</a>. This helps prevent transmission from infected individuals who may or may not have symptoms of COVID-19.</li> <li>Cloth face coverings are not considered PPE and do not replace the use of PPE for health care personnel. All staff must have access to the appropriate PPE to safely provide care.</li> <li>Create a designated point of entry for all patients</li> <li>Eliminate visiting hours to protect hospitalized patients from further exposure</li> <li>Incorporate assessment questions to document a detailed exposure history</li> <li>Identify, in advance, rooms designated, for quarantine and screening</li> <li>Plan for patient surge. Cohort patients with respiratory symptoms during triage. Identify a designated unit or wing to cohort patients with confirmed positive COVID-19 tests</li> <li>Outline staffing protocols to facilitate care of patients with COVID-19 to minimize patient-to-patient and patient to health care worker transmission. Learn more about staffing and crisis standards of care <a href="/practice-policy/work-environment/health-safety/disaster-preparedness/coronavirus/what-you-need-to-know/staffing-a-crisis-standards-of-care/">here</a>.</li> <li>Develop a telephone triage protocol for patients to access from home to minimize community-based transmission</li> <li>Maintain and communication with the <a href="https://www.naccho.org/membership/lhd-directory" target="_blank" rel="noopener">local and state department</a> for updated guidelines and to best assist with contact tracing measures.</li> </ul> <h4>OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard</h4> <p>On June 27, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA issued an <a href="https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/national/06102021">Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS)</a> to protect healthcare workers from contracting the Coronavirus Covid-19. This ETS established new requirements for settings where employees provide health care or health support services, including hospitals, skilled nursing homes and home health. On December 27, 2021, OSHA withdrew the non-recordkeeping portions of the healthcare ETS. The COVID-19 log and reporting provisions, 29 CFR 1910.502(q)(2)(ii), (q)(3)(ii)-(iv), and (r), remain in effect. To find out more, see the <a href="https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets">OSHA Covid-19 ETS Webpage</a>.</p> <h4>Isolation and Hospitalization</h4> <p>The CDC recommends several steps to identify and care for persons with suspected or confirmed  COVID-19. </p> <ul> <li>Have masks available for patients to don before entering the health care facility</li> <li>Once identified, place a patient in a private room with the door closed for assessment. Limit the number of staff entering the room. All staff entering the room must don a N95 respirator, gown, gloves, face shield or goggles for eye protection</li> <li>Health care personnel entering the room should use standard precautions, contact precautions, droplet precautions, airborne precautions, and eye protection (goggles or a face shield)</li> <li>Have guidelines for the proper use of PPE displayed throughout the health care facility. </li> <li>Notify your infection control personnel and the <a href="https://www.naccho.org/membership/lhd-directory" target="_blank" rel="noopener">local and state health department</a> of suspected and confirmed positive cases to assist with contact tracing.</li> </ul> <p><strong>See also: the CDC <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html">Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic webpage</a> </strong></p> <h4>Treatment Options for Covid-19 Infection</h4> <p>Remember to test soon and treat early! If you test positive for COVID-19 and have one or more health conditions that increase your risk of becoming very sick, treatment may be available. Contact a health professional right away after a positive test to determine if you may be eligible, even if your symptoms are mild right now. Depending on where you live, <a href="https://covid-19-test-to-treat-locator-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com/">there may be a COVID-19 Test-To-Treat location near you</a>. Don’t delay, treatment must be started within the first few days to be effective.</p> <p>Here are links where you can learn more about the current available treatment options (at-home and in-hospital):<br />• <a href="https://combatcovid.hhs.gov/possible-treatment-options-covid-19">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Possible Treatment Options for COVID-19 website</a> <br />• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Clinical Care Quick Reference for COVID-19 website<br />• <a href="https://healthdata.gov/Health/COVID-19-Public-Therapeutic-Locator/rxn6-qnx8">U.S. Health & Human Services (HHS) COVID-19 Public Therapeutic Locator website</a></p> <p><strong>See also: <a href="https://www.covid.gov/">Your COVID-19 Toolkit – find information on masks, treatments, vaccines, and testing in your community</a></strong></p> <h4>Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), Long COVID and Post-COVID Conditions</h4> <p>Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), commonly referred to as Long COVID, is a condition marked by persistent COVID-19 symptoms (or the onset of new symptoms) following recovery from acute COVID-19. It is characterized by new, continuing, or recurring respiratory, neurological, psychological, and cardiac problems occurring four or more weeks after initial infection. PASC can affect anyone, even those who had asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 infection. If you or a family member is experiencing prolonged symptoms associated with COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider.</p> <p>Here is additional information:</p> <ul> <li>CDC webpage on Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions</li> <li><a href="https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/long-covid-post-acute-sequelae-of-sars-cov-2-infection-pasc#:~:text=Long%20COVID%2C%20or%20what%20doctors,illness%20of)%20COVID%2D19">Yale Medicine - Long COVID (Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection, PASC) Fact Sheet</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/covid-long-haulers-long-term-effects-of-covid19">Johns Hopkins Medicine webpage on COVID ‘Long Haulers’: Long-Term Effects of COVID-19</a></li> <li>CDC webpage Caring for Patients with Post-COVID Conditions</li> <li><a href="https://recovercovid.org/">NIH RECOVER: Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery</a></li> <li><a href="/practice-policy/work-environment/health-safety/disaster-preparedness/coronavirus/faqs/#pasc">ANA Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), Long COVID and Post-COVID Conditions FAQs</a></li> </ul> <h4>Find Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Covid-19 Questions <a href="/practice-policy/work-environment/health-safety/disaster-preparedness/coronavirus/faqs/">Here</a></h4> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2 class="section-header anim-waypoint"> Related Content </h2> <div class="grid-x related-content cell grid-margin-x small-offset-1 small-10"> <div class="medium-4 cell related-content__card"> <img src="/globalassets/covid19/brian-mcgowan-7oabdheimsa-unsplash.png" alt="Heatmap of NE US COVID-19 metro infection rate." class="related-content__image" /> <div class="related-content__text-area"> <h4 class="related-content__title">Patient Education</h4> <p class="related-content__lead-in">Nurses play an integral role in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by educating the community. Here is information you can share with your patients and their family members to help them understand how to flatten the curve.</p> <a href="/practice-policy/work-environment/health-safety/disaster-preparedness/coronavirus/what-you-need-to-know/clinical-information/patient-education/" class="medium-4 cell related-content__button"> Read More </a> </div> </div> <div class="medium-4 cell related-content__card"> <img src="/globalassets/covid19/brian-mcgowan-7oabdheimsa-unsplash.png" alt="Heatmap of NE US COVID-19 metro infection rate." class="related-content__image" /> <div class="related-content__text-area"> <h4 class="related-content__title">Research and Resources</h4> <p class="related-content__lead-in">A multitude of resources are available for COVID-19 education and research. Below are a few key resources ANA relies upon for evidence-based information on COVID-19 education, treatment, and mitigation and future preparedness.</p> <a href="/practice-policy/work-environment/health-safety/disaster-preparedness/coronavirus/what-you-need-to-know/clinical-information/research-and-resources/" class="medium-4 cell related-content__button"> Read More </a> </div> </div> <div class="medium-4 cell related-content__card"> <img src="/globalassets/covid19/brian-mcgowan-7oabdheimsa-unsplash.png" alt="Heatmap of NE US COVID-19 metro infection rate." class="related-content__image" /> <div class="related-content__text-area"> <h4 class="related-content__title">Information for School Nurses on Preparedness Planning</h4> <p class="related-content__lead-in">ANA information to assist School Nurses in the prevention of COVID-19 transmission by preventing the spread in schools, childcare facilities, and the community

</p> <a href="/practice-policy/work-environment/health-safety/disaster-preparedness/coronavirus/what-you-need-to-know/clinical-information/information-for-school-nurses-on-preparedness-planning/" class="medium-4 cell related-content__button"> Read More </a> </div> </div> <div class="medium-4 cell related-content__card"> <img src="/globalassets/covid19/brian-mcgowan-7oabdheimsa-unsplash.png" alt="Heatmap of NE US COVID-19 metro infection rate." class="related-content__image" /> <div class="related-content__text-area"> <h4 class="related-content__title">Infection Control and Prevention</h4> <p class="related-content__lead-in">Infection control measures are important in the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19 spread within health care facilities. For guidelines on preparedness, infection control, and personal protective equipment (PPE) use and supply optimization, we have compiled a comprehensive list of resources for you to access.</p> <a href="/practice-policy/work-environment/health-safety/disaster-preparedness/coronavirus/what-you-need-to-know/clinical-information/infection-control-and-prevention/" class="medium-4 cell related-content__button"> Read More </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer class="footer row" role="contentinfo"> <img class="footer__image" alt="ANA flame logo" src="/Microsite/assets/img/Large_american-nurses-association-ana-vector-logo.svg" /> <div class="footer__navigation grid-x"> <nav class="footer__nav-container small-offset-1 small-10"> <ul class="footer__nav-list"> <h5> <a href="/news/"> News </a> </h5> <hr> <li> <a href="/news/news-releases/" title="Enterprise News">Enterprise News</a></li> <li> <a href="/news/media-resources/">Media Resources</a></li> <li> <a href="/membership/ana-periodicals/" title="ANA Journals">ANA Journals</a></li> </ul> <ul class="footer__nav-list"> <h5> <a href="/contact-us/"> Contact us </a> </h5> <hr> <li> <a href="/ana-enterprise-jobs/">American Nurses Enterprise Jobs</a></li> <li> <a href="/contact-us/advertising-with-ana/">Advertise with ANA</a></li> <li> <a href="/contact-us/copyright-permission/">Copyright or Trademark Request</a></li> <li> <a href="/resources/career-center/" target="_blank">Career Center</a></li> </ul> <ul class="footer__nav-list"> <h5> <a href="/ana-enterprise/about-us/"> About Us </a> </h5> <hr> <li> <a href="/ana-enterprise/about-us/" title="About American Nurses Enterprise">About American Nurses Enterprise</a></li> <li> <a href="/ana/about-ana/">About ANA</a></li> <li> <a href="/ancc/about-ancc/">About ANCC</a></li> <li> <a href="/foundation/about-fnd/">About American Nurses Foundation</a></li> <li> <a href="/faqs/">FAQs</a></li> </ul> <ul class="footer__nav-list social-media-list"> <h5>Social Media</h5> <hr> <li> <a href="https://twitter.com/ANANursingWorld"> <img src="/Microsite/assets/img/fi-social-twitter.svg" alt="twitter"> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmericanNursesAssociation/"> <img src="/Microsite/assets/img/fi-social-facebook.svg" alt="facebook"> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-nurses-association"> <img src="/Microsite/assets/img/fi-social-linkedin.svg" alt="linkedin"> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/nursesmatter"> <img src="/Microsite/assets/img/fi-social-youtube.svg" alt="youtube"> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="footer__attribution grid-x"> <div class="footer__attribution-container small-offset-1 small-10"> <div class="footer__left-side"> <img src="/Microsite/assets/img/Enterprise Family Lockup White.png" alt="ANA group logo"> </div> <div class="footer__right-side"> <div class="footer__copyright">©American Nurses Association, ©American Nurses Credentialing Center, ©American Nurses Foundation. 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