Govt advises buddy system for doctors
nNEWDELHI: The Union health ministry advised hospitals to start a “buddy system” wherein a team of two or more staffers is formed that covers for each other in terms of ensuring that infection control practices are followed while managing patients.
“...Under this approach, a twoor more-person team is formed amongst the deployed hospital staff who share responsibilities for his/her partner’s safety and well-being in the context of (i) Appropriately donning and doffing of PPES, (ii) maintaining hand hygiene and (iii) taking requisite steps on observing breach of PPES,” read the ministry advisory issued on Friday.
“There is a possibility a person might miss a step which the other person in the team would notice and alert his or her partner. This is a step taken for ensuring multiple layers of check and balances so that the risk is minimised,” said a health ministry official.
The step has been taken amid growing concerns of a large number of health care workers getting isolated for fear of having contracted Covid-19, resulting in disease management getting affected due to shortage of staff.
If there is any breach in the protective gear then the team is expected to inform the nodal officer immediately, so that preventive actions can be taken to minimise the risk of infection. The nodal officer will get the exact details of exposure to ascertain whether the exposure constitutes a high risk or low risk, and advises action accordingly.
“The health care personnel are at increased risk of acquiring the Covid-19 disease, if there is a breach in the personal protection while managing patients. The health workforce is a valuable and scarce resource. Large number of Covid-19 affected health personnel getting isolated for treatment and their close contacts undergoing quarantine affects the health/ hospital service delivery,” read the advisory.
Hospitals have been advised to strictly follow the earlier directive asking them to activate its Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC). The HICC in the health facility will be responsible for implementing the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) activities and organizing regular trainings on infection prevention control practices for health care workers. A Nodal Officer (Infection Control Officer) will be identified by each hospital to address all matters related to health care associated infections.
“Provisions have been made for regular (thermal) screening of all hospital staff. All health care workers managing Covid-19 cases are being provided with chemo-prophylaxis under medical supervision. Provisions have been made for prompt reporting of breach of PPE and follow up action…” the advisory says.
The experts also say that there is no alternative to adopting infection control practices such as regular hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, respiratory etiquettes (using tissue/handkerchief while coughing or sneezing), etc.