Amid a surge in coronavirus cases, healthcare facilities across Da Nang continue to tighten COVID-19 protocols and all control measures in efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, with a focus on conducting COVID-19 testing for their staff, inpatients and outpatients along with their family caregivers. The intention is to early detect COVID-19 cases in a bid to promptly isolate and treat them to stop the spread of the virus.

A healthcare worker at the Da Nang General Hospital helping an outpatient to fill in a COVD-19 declaration form online. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Strict compliance with the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health, including health declaration, is compulsory for people who visit healthcare facilities for medical check-ups or medical care. In addition, special attention is given to conducting the COVID-19 diagnostic tests and performing body temperature screening to identify SARS-CoV-2 for the patients upon arrival at hospital.

In particular, the Da Nang General Hospital has developed scenarios to manage the COVID-19 pandemic in a new normal with a focus on ensuring the safety of medical staff, patients and their family caregivers.

Doctor Nguyen Thanh Trung, the Deputy Director of the Da Nang General Hospital said that the hospital’s staff are equipped with surgical masks and anti-droplet goggles and undergo periodic COVID-19 testing. Especially, healthcare workers at the patient reception area are using personal protective equipment for COVID-19 to protect them from catching coronavirus amid a rise in asymptomatic cases.

Inpatients at the hospitals are required to strictly observe the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health, and get a regular coronavirus test. In addition, the hospital’s doctors and nurses enhance monitoring of their patients on a daily basis to quickly identify suspected cases in order to adopt appropriate measures to prevent cross-infection at hospital.

Doctor Trung remarked that the patient room is designed to provide natural ventilation control of infections and its floor is regularly cleaned and then disinfected with chemicals. In addition, alcohol-based handrub dispensers are placed in hospital corridors and patient room entrance doors. The heed is paid on recommending surgical mask use and respiratory hygiene practices for inpatients.

In a similar move, the Lien Chieu District Medical Center receives more than 100 patients a day. The focus is on arranging a separate entry point for people with suspected COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. The healthcare workers will place individuals who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 under isolation in the waiting area in a bid to mitigate coronavirus risk.

Doctor Le Van Sy, the Director of the Lien Chieu District Medical Center, said that proper precautions are being put in place at the facility following a spike in asymptomatic cases.

He added that all inpatients, especially those requiring surgeries and medical interventions are asked to get a COVID-19 test, and the frequency of testing will depend on the severity of their disease and the length of hospital stay. In particular, higher frequency of testing is recommended for frontline healthcare workers.

Doctor Nguyen Tien Hong, the Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Health, said that healthcare facilities are enhancing coronavirus testing for their staff and patients amid the complex development of the pandemic in line with the recommendations of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Mr Hong stressed the need for local hospitals to conduct rapid antigen tests or RT-PCR tests for coronavirus for their patients, their family caregivers, medical staff, along with outpatients with possible coronavirus infection. Before admission to the hospital, patients are assigned to get a coronavirus test. Inpatients will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test every 7 days until discharge if the length of hospital stay surpasses 7 days, he added.

Doctor Hong stated that many positive cases have been recently confirmed in inpatients and healthcare workers at hospitals despite being undergone periodic coronavirus tests. All necessary precautions have been taken to effectively manage COVID-19 outbreaks.

He recommends conducting coronavirus testing for patients in intensive care units, their family caregivers and healthcare workers, along with involved personnel every 3 days.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – Translating by H.L