Prevention of COVID-19 Based on Transmission Routes
According to the Guidance on Care for Patients with Acute Respiratory Infections caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus at medical examination and treatment facilities issued with Decision 1125/QD-BYT in 2021, the following content is stipulated:
3.1. Prevention of transmission via droplets
- Wear a medical mask, eye protection, or face shield when performing tasks that require close contact with individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2.
3.2. Prevention of transmission via contact
- Wear a clean gown and shoe covers when entering the patient’s room and remove them before leaving the buffer room; do not let work uniforms touch environmental surfaces or other objects.
- Wear clean gloves during care, and replace gloves after contact with feces, drained fluids, and secretions of the patient.
- Disinfect hands immediately after using a disinfection solution.
3.3. Prevention of transmission via airborne route
- Wear a gown and a high-efficiency filtration mask (e.g. N95 mask).
- Choose equipment and perform closed sputum suction for patients with mechanical ventilation if sputum suction is indicated.
- Conduct procedures in a single room with the door closed, ensuring safe ventilation, preferably in a negative pressure room.
- Ensure safe ventilation: natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation, or a combination, but the minimum air exchange rate should be ≥12 air changes per hour. An exhaust air system (situated low, 10-15cm above the floor) can be used in areas where there is no foot traffic to prevent the re-circulation of contaminated air.
Sincerely!
