- Use of antibiotics in patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
- Repeat testing of patients who have a negative admission screen
- Scrubs
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USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED COVID-19
Currently available evidence suggests that the frequency of secondary bacterial infection in patients with COVID-19 is low.
Only start antibiotics if there is high clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. Please follow the antibiotic guidance for COVID-19 patients on MicroGuide.
Note that co-amoxiclav / levofloxacin should only be used in patients with severe pneumonia with respiratory failure/ARDS or haemodynamic instability. Cover for atypical bacterial infection (e.g. clarithromycin) is not required for patients highly likely to have COVID-19.
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REPEAT TESTING OF PATIENTS WHO HAVE A NEGATIVE ADMISSION SCREEN
Any inpatients who test negative for COVID on their admission screen must be retested 5 days after admission. The repeat screens should then be continued every 5 days until discharge unless the patient is found to be positive.
This is important in identifying cases in a timely manner and reducing the risk of COVID transmission within the Trust.
Note that this is a change from the previous guidance of retesting 5-7 days after admission and then every 5-7 days until discharge.
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SCRUBS
The Trust has increased its stock of scrubs, but the demand is growing. Please help us to make sure there are enough scrubs for everyone who needs them.
Scrubs must only be worn by staff working in the designated COVID high risk areas of the hospital (unless you wear scrubs normally as your uniform)
We are appealing to all staff to be ‘Scrub Sensible’ and not ‘Scrub Selfish’!
Here’s how:
- Wear one set of scrubs per shift and only change if they become soiled.
- DO NOT hoard scrubs for use at a later date or take them home.
- Change into and out of scrubs at work
Scrubs are to be left at the hospitals and cleaned by our laundry service the process is as follows:
- Place used scrubs in white linen hopper
- Put this in disposal hold
- The scrubs are then collected, cleaned and put back into circulation
- Do not leave scrubs on the floor or anywhere else as this is a IPC risk