COVID-19: Healthcare Providers, Hospitals & Laboratories

Hospitals and healthcare providers

  • Review policies and procedures for infection prevention and mitigation and make sure all employees follow the appropriate steps.
  • Review guidance for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Consider using telemedicine, nurse triage lines and other options to prevent people with mild illnesses from coming to clinics and emergency rooms.
  • Ask about travel history for patients presenting with respiratory illnesses and continue working closely with your local health department, DPH, and follow the CDC guidance.

Behavioral health and self-care

  • Fear, stigma, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder followed major infectious disease outbreaks earlier in this century, and all health care providers should be prepared for similar reactions with the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • The importance of self-care during stressful times cannot be overestimated and all health providers, including behavioral health providers, are at risk for burnout and secondary trauma.
  • Be aware of the behavioral health crisis services that are available. 

Additional information

For information about Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) https://dph.georgia.gov/multisystem-inflammatory-syndrome-children-mis-c