Consultation
In addition to a standard obstetric and gynaecological history and
examination, a detailed history of patients’ respiratory symptoms,
travel, and contact history are obtained. A dedicated team of ID
physicians are readily available for phone consultation at all times.
Patients deemed to be at low risk after review by the isolation doctor
are transferred to general wards. The workflow has been regularly
updated based on the evolving evidence on the condition.
We implemented protocols for isolated patients requiring formal imaging.
When needed, portable chest radiographs were performed by radiographers
in enhanced PPE within the isolation area. When these patients required
formal ultrasound scans, they were transferred to the radiology
department after alerting the relevant personnel in advance. The scan
would then be performed by the radiologist in enhanced PPE in a
dedicated isolation room.
We ensured that standard of care was not compromised for patients seen
in isolation with modifications to our workflow and protocols in the
UOGC. High risk treatment procedures such as nebulisation[8] were administered in an alternative form with
a metered-dose inhaler. Where this is not possible, nebulisation was
administered in an isolation room in PAPR.