Ops Instruction: Responding to a Patient with Suspected COVID-19

Guidance has been produced in order to appropriately manage patient and post-patient care when responding to a patient with suspected COVID-19.

Background
Wuhan Coronavirus (WN-CoV), also known as Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has now been officially named “COVID-19” and shall be referred to as COVID-19 in all future correspondence.

 A coronavirus is a type of virus and as a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.

Rationale
In order to appropriately manage the patient and post-patient contact, guidance has been produced using expert reference points such as Public Health England and relevant specialist ambulance groups. The guidance looks to protect our staff and effectively manage patients while looking to reduce the spread.

There is specific guidance through an ESOP of triage and clinical management within the Ambulance Operations Centres.

Further details on responding to a patient with suspected COVID-19 can be found on the Ops Instruction on East24.

Published on 26th February 2020