Erasmus MC employees are well prepared for admitting patients that have been infected with the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that emerged in China at the end of last year.
It is safe for patients and visitors to continue to visit the hospital even after infected patients have been admitted. New patients can also continue to be admitted safely. The Infection Prevention Unit, which advises and supports Erasmus MC as a whole in the event of outbreaks of infectious diseases and multi-resistant bacteria, is closely monitoring the developments related to the novel coronavirus, now called SARS-CoV-2. The illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is known as COVID-19.
Protocols
Numerous protocols are in place that must be observed as soon as a patient with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 is admitted. If someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 is on the way to the hospital, Emergency Department staff will be ready to meet the patient on arrival.
This protocol also applies to cases in which the COVID-19 infection is only detected in the patient later. The patient will then be moved to an isolation room, if not already in one. We will then carefully compile a list of people the patient may have had contact with, which can include physicians and nursing staff in the hospital, other patients, or visitors. Erasmus MC is also in close contact with the Rotterdam-Rijnmond Municipal Health Service (GGD), which will then screen the patient’s family, friends, and colleagues.
Collaborating
Health authorities in the Netherlands work closely together. This includes hospitals, GPs, GGDs and nursing and care homes. As such, the protocols are not new. The Netherlands had to deal with the swine flu in 2009, and Erasmus MC sometimes receives patients with suspected MERS or SARS, closely related to SARS-CoV-2. Isolation protocols are also observed for MERS and SARS.
Isolation room
A patient with COVID-19 is admitted to a special isolation room. This is a room with two doors separated by a small hall where staff and visitors change into protective clothing, and wash and disinfect their hands. The air in the room is extracted. The patient’s breath, which contains virus particles, cannot enter the corridor or other rooms. The air pressure in the room is regulated in such a way that it cannot escape through the door.
Physicians, nursing staff and all of the patient’s visitors take measures to prevent the spread of the virus. This includes face masks, gloves, and protective clothing. This procedure is clearly explained on the posters at the entrance to the patient’s room.
For detailed information on COVID-19 see RIVM’s website.
