Health Ministry issues revised advisory for managing HCWs working in COVID and Non-COVID areas of Health Care Facilities

New Delhi, January 10

Union Health Ministry has issued revised advisory for managing Health Care Workers (HCWs) working in COVID and Non-COVID areas of the Health Care Facilities. In the guidelines, the Ministry said that all health facilities shall activate its Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC).

The HICC in the health facility is responsible for implementing the Infection Prevention and Control, IPC  activities, and organizing regular training on IPC for HCWs. It said, a Nodal Officer shall be identified by each health facility to address all matters related to Healthcare-Associated Infections. With reference to preventing such infection among healthcare workers, the nodal officer will ensure that healthcare workers in different settings of hospitals shall use PPEs appropriate to their risk profile. The officer will also ensure that all healthcare workers have undergone training on Infection Prevention and Control and they are aware of common signs and symptoms, need for self-health monitoring, and need for prompt reporting of such symptoms. Besides, all HCWs, who are vaccinated with two doses of the COVID vaccine, will also take the precautionary third dose as per prescribed protocol.

Healthcare Workers will ensure that all preventive measures like frequent washing of hands and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, respiratory etiquettes are followed at all times. Pregnant and lactating mothers and immuno-compromised healthcare workers shall inform their medical condition to the hospital authorities for them to get posted in appropriate areas.

The revised guidelines has said that all Healthcare workers must report every unprotected exposure or breach of PPE while managing COVID-19 patients to the concerned nodal officer and Head of the Department of the concerned department immediately.

Such exposed Healthcare workers shall continue to work wearing appropriate PPE and test themselves at day 5 of the exposure or if symptoms develop anytime within 14 days from the day of exposure.

If any healthcare worker is manifesting signs and symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, he or she will be tested and isolated immediately. If tested positive then in case of mild case, HCW will have an option of home isolation, subject to the conditions stipulated in the Revised guidelines for Home Isolation of mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases. In cases where home isolation is not feasible, such mild cases will be admitted to a COVID Care Center while in case of Moderate cases that require oxygen therapy shall be managed at a Dedicated COVID Health Center and severe cases will be managed in a Dedicated COVID Hospital.

The Healthcare Workers can resume duties while wearing appropriate PPEs if symptoms have resolved except mild, cough, and they are afebrile for 3 successive days.

Those Healthcare Workers who test negative and continue to be symptomatic will be treated in Non-COVID ward as per their clinical diagnosis. They can resume work based on the clinical diagnosis and the medical certification by the treating doctor. Discharge of COVID-19 positive Healthcare Workers will be in accordance with the discharge policy.