COVID-19: Safety Tips For Visiting Hospitals During The Pandemic

The major problem non-coronavirus patients have faced during the pandemic is restrictions on hospital visits. As the number of coronavirus patients is peaking day by day, people are cancelling or delaying their non-emergency or regular medical cares out of COVID-19 fear, which are leading them to many complications.

Apart from handling coronavirus patients, the hospitals are also trying to deliver care to other needy patients with strict measures to prevent the spread of the infection. In this article, you will find basic guidelines for patients who are planning to visit a hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Take a look.

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1. Make appointment before the visit

It is essential to make a doctor's appointment before you visit a hospital or a clinic, especially if you have a chronic disease. This will avoid unnecessary queuing up along with other patients, which can increase the risk of infection.

2. Inform the doctor about your health

Before the appointment, make sure to inform the doctor about your health and ask them the procedure of the visit. Also, ensure to take up COVID-19 test, if necessary.

3. Ask about the cleaning frequency

It is better to priorly ask about the safety measures for the non-coronavirus patients and ways implemented to deal with them. Also, ask about the cleaning frequency after every patient visit. Ensure that there's a separate ward for COVID-19 patients.

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4. Wear a mask

This is the mandatory and the foremost rule before stepping out of the house. Wearing a mask is crucial to preventing infected air droplets from entering your nose and mouth and causing you the infection.

5. Carry a sanitiser

Always carry an alcohol-based hand sanitiser and sanitise your hands immediately after coming out of the hospital or after touching any objects in the hospital. Wash hands with soap and water, if there's availability for it.

6. Maintain social distancing

Social distancing is strictly followed in healthcare and other sectors. It helps reduce the risk of infection through air droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. Maintain social distancing of around six feet or more.

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7. Visit alone (if possible)

It is better to go alone for a doctor's appointment during this pandemic to prevent others from the risk of infection. For elder patients, only a single healthy person is recommended to accompany.

8. Stay indoors if you have COVID-19 symptoms

If you doubt of coronavirus by your symptoms and recent visits, it is advised to stay indoors and consult a hospital for COVID-19 test. The symptoms of coronavirus may include fever, sore throat, dry cough, fatigue and muscle pain

9. Avoid if you are pregnant

Visiting a hospital during pregnancy can be risky for you as well as for the foetus. Avoid the visit unless it is an emergency or any complications related to pregnancy.

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10. Avoid touching anything

While in the hospital premise, avoid touching anything as they can act as fomites and spread the infection. Fomites are objects upon which the infected air droplets get settle and spread when a person touches them and then touches their mouth, eyes or nose.

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11. Use your own vehicles

Prefer visiting a hospital in your own vehicle. Avoid taking public transportation and book a separate cab for the visit. Also, sanitise your hands as soon as you come out of the cab. If you are using your own vehicle, clean it after the visit.

12. Go cashless

Due to the pandemic, everywhere the cashless system has been introduced to maintain a contactless money transfer. Do all the medical-related transactions online, as the paper money can also act as a fomite and spread the infection.

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13. Carry necessary documents

Bring all the necessary documents to avoid a revisit to the hospital. Discuss with the doctor regarding online or video consultancy for further treatment, if needed. Also, make sure to buy medications at least for a month to avoid recent trips to the pharmacy.

14. Change immediately

As soon as you reach home, ask someone to open the door and immediately go to the washroom for change of the clothes and handwash. It is better to take a bath or wash the exposed areas of the body with soap and water.

15. Don't forget to sanitise shoes

Shoes can be infected with coronavirus and spread the infection. Clean the shoes with soap and water or disinfect them after a hospital visit.

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Common FAQs

1. What percentage of patients with COVID-19 need to be hospitalized?

According to experts, only 1 out of 5 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized due to complications. Most people recover soon from the condition just by simple medications.

2. Should coronavirus disease patients be isolated in hospitals?

Yes, COVID-19 infected patients should be isolated in hospitals to prevent the spread of infection to other patients. Even patients with mild cases are recommended to be treated separately.

3. How long do COVID-19 patients need to be isolated for?

According to WHO and CDC, COVID-19 patients should be isolated for around 14 days, as the symptoms are likely to occur during the period.

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