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Covid-19

This section is shared among all trusts. When you want to return to your domains click here.

Reviewed 27/02/2021 ~ 5y, modified 13/05/2023

This shared content is accessible to all 8000 Dr Toolbox users across 80 UK hospitals.
If you want to contribute to this national project for the NHS please email support@dr-toolbox.com. Many thanks to Dr Solomon White for some of the links here.

Learning

Up to date articles (free during outbreak)

ARDS

Positive pressure ventilation

COVID-19

BMJ Best Practice

Other

Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh:
 Essential knowledge for surgeons undertaking acute medical care
 
The London School of Tropical medicine is offering a free online course on the broader implications of COVID-19:

COVID-19: Tackling the Novel Coronavirus

NICE guidelines on COVID

ARCP requirements have been adjusted for 2020 (downloaded 1/4/2020)
 [[https://www.nwpgmd.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/KCC%20COVID19%20Evidence%20Summary.pdf |
King’s Critical Care, an evidence summary of the clinical management of COVID-]]

The Internet Book of Critical Care (IBCC) has all the information you need to know on infection control, diagnosis, treatment and well as prognosis

Isolation and redeployment

PHE isolation guidance:

Current guidance can be found here.

  • Essentially, anyone with symptoms of cough and/or fever must isolate for 7 days from the start of symptoms, returning to work if symptoms have resolved at day 8. If they have not contact occupational health.
  • Those in the same household must isolate for up to 21 days - for 14 days if they are asymptomatic or seven days after developing symptoms themselves.

Accommodation may be available for asymptomatic individuals who wish to continue working during the 14 day period or those who have vulnerable family members at home:

PPE

PHEs guide on when to use each type of PPE - updated 28 March


Donning PPE
 
COVID-19: Donning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)


Removal of PPE
 
COVID-19: Removal and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Resuscitation

Due to the limitations in ITU capacity, it will be vital to conduct early DNACPR discussions with all patients admitted during this time.

Resuscitation Council UK guidance
Full updates here.

Health and well-being

This is undoubtedly going to be a difficult and stressful period that will go on for several months. It's important we all take care of ourselves as best as possible. Below are links to food shopping, support being offered to key workers and things to do in downtime. 

External support

The Intensive Care Society has produced a range of well-being resources available here.

NHS Shopping hours

Please maintain 2 m separation and shop as infrequently as possible. 
In recognition of our working constraints, many supermarket chains have instigated reserved NHS shopping hours:

  • Tesco - Sundays 9 till 10 am.
  • Asda - Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8 till 9 am
  • Sainsbury's - Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8 till 9 am
  • Aldi - Sundays 9:30 till 10 am.
  • Co-op - 8am to 9am Monday – Saturday and 10am to 11am on Sundays
  • M&S - Tuesday and Friday, 1st hour.

Downtime

National theatre at Home- free plays every Thursday

Audible are offering a range of free audiobooks here

Netflix Party
is a chrome extension that allows you to synchronise play with friends and adds chat functionality

Stay connected with friends via video chat. Zoom allows for multiple people to join via a code.

Social media

Staying positive

A little bit of hope in Covid-19 blog by Dr Nishma Manek

Read the blog here.

  1. The rejuvenation of communities
  2.  Slowing down
  3.  Technology
  4.  Differences disappear
  5.  Carbon footprint
  6.  New ideas
  7.  Health behaviours
  8.  Appreciation

My thoughts

This will be the battle of our generation, and a marathon effort. There are many reasons to stay positive: for the first time in history the world is unified in its fight against a cause. The resources of every nation on the planet are being focussed on finding new treatments, vaccinations, and innovation in healthcare - this is a moon shot like has never been seen before.  

We also have never been better equipped to deal with it, with our genetic biotechnology, the internet and smartphones and artificial intelligence. The world will never be the same again, but we have the opportunity to build a more caring world  - where we look out for our neighbours and connect like we have not done before. 

Remember to look after your own health, and also look after the physical and mental health of your colleagues and patients.

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