· The specimen should be double-bagged. The specimen should be placed in the first bag in the isolation room by a staff member wearing recommended PPE. Specimens should be hand-delivered to the laboratory by someone who understands the nature of the specimens. Pneumatic tube systems must not be used to transport specimens. | |
Saline Nebulisation | |
3.12 | Do not use saline nebulisation. |
Manual hyperinflation | |
3.13 | As it involves disconnection/opening of a ventilator circuit, avoid manual hyperinflation and utilise ventilator hyperinflation if indicated (e.g., for suppurative presentations in ICU and if local procedures are in place). |
Positioning, including gravity-assisted drainage | |
3.14 | Physiotherapists can continue to advice on positioning requirements for patients. |
Prone Positioning | |
3.15 | Physiotherapists may have a role in the implementation of prone positioning in the ICU. This may include leadership within ICU ‘prone teams’, providing staff education on prone positioning (e.g., simulation-based education sessions) or assisting in turns as part of the ICU team. |
Tracheostomy Management | |
3.16 | The presence of a tracheostomy and related procedures that are potentially aerosol generating. · Cuff deflation trials and inner tube changes/cleaning can be aerosol generating. · Closed, in-line suction is recommended. · Inspiratory muscle training, speaking valves and leak speech should not be attempted until patients are over the acute infection and the risk of transmission is reduced. · Airborne precautions are recommended with infectious patients with COVID-19 with a tracheostomy. |