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

• Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
• Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) (Spanish)
• Information for Healthcare Professionals 
• Information for Public Health Professionals 
• Information for Laboratories
• Resources for Healthcare Facilities