With an influx of patients being tested daily for the Coronavirus (COVID-19), primary care doctors and urgent care facilities across the U.S. are putting themselves in the closest contact with it — and putting themselves at risk.
But are latex gloves and face masks enough to keep medical personnel protected?
What are the levels of exposure based on what health care personnel are or aren’t wearing?
And should doctors, nurses and medical assistants self-monitor after treating patients who could be carrying COVID-19, or should there be oversight from a higher authority?
We have answers now, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued interim guidance for health care personnel regarding potential COVID-19 exposure. The CDC’s memo helps with assessing risk, monitoring and work restriction decisions for those at medical practices who have frequent, close-contact, person-to-person exchanges with patients.
The CDC is clarifying “close contact” for health care exposure as:
The CDC notes that it cannot “precisely define the duration of time that constitutes a prolonged exposure,” as more still needs to be known about transmission risks, but, “it is reasonable to consider an exposure greater than a few minutes as a prolonged exposure.”
The guidance memo adds that “[b]rief interactions are less likely to result in transmission; however, clinical symptoms of the patient and type of interaction (e.g., did the patient cough directly into the face of the HCP) remain important.”
Because each health care facility is different, the CDC advises that the facility “in consultation with public health authorities should use the concepts outlined in this guidance along with clinical judgement to assign risk and determine need for work restrictions.” [Emphasis added.]
For purposes of the CDC’s interim guidance, though, the risk levels for exposure are defined as:
The CDC has two methods of recommended monitoring for Coronavirus, which should be applied until 14 days after doctors’, nurses’ and other health care personnel’s last potential exposure:
The CDC has produced a table showing the epidemiologic risk classification for health care personnel who have been exposed to patients with coronavirus in a health care setting; recommendations for associated monitoring; and work restriction recommendations:
As health law attorneys, we at Chapman Law Group want to make sure our clients — health care facilities, general practitioners, nurses and other licensed health care professionals — are following proper protocol as the Coronavirus situation continues. We have been watching the COVID-19 developments carefully, and we are here to help you maintain compliance while keeping you and your practice safe. Call us today so we may assist you during this crucial time in health care.
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Ronald W. Chapman II, LL.M.
Shareholder
Chairperson of White Collar Defense & Government Investigations
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1441 W. Long Lake Road, Suite 310
Troy, MI 48098
Phone: (248) 644-6326
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