Prevention
General prevention measures for the public include:1
- Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations
- Following public health recommendations according to local authorities
- Assessing level of risk and making informed decisions on public health measures to protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19 infection
- Following travel advisories before and following travel
Prevention for nurses, health-care providers and health-care settings include all of the above, as well as the following infection prevention and control measures:2
- Prompt identification of symptomatic persons/possible cases
- Appropriate risk assessment
- Management and placement of probable and confirmed cases
Administrative controls can assist with preventing exposure:
- Triage for identification and placement of patients
- Masks, tissues and alcohol-based hand rub at all entrances
- Prominent signage instructing symptomatic patients to promptly present to health-care providers
- Minimizing visitation to essential visitors and movement within hospital
Personal protective equipment (PPE):
For routine practice, it is recommended that all health-care staff wear a medical mask for the entire duration of their shift.
For additional precaution, health-care staff should wear the following PPE when entering the room or within two metres of a patient who has been exposed to, diagnosed with, or presents with signs or symptoms of COVID-19:3
- Gloves
- Long-sleeved gown
- Facial protection such as a surgical mask and eye protection, face shield, or surgical/procedural mask with visor attachment
- N95 respirator and eye protection should be worn when performing aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMPs) ) or if there is a risk in being exposed to aerosolized COVID-19
Knowledge/resource/practice gaps
See CNA’s position on PPE and related knowledge/resource/practice gaps.