SOP For COVID Care Centers In Karnataka: Coronavirus Care

Though the lockdown has eased considerably, the danger of the coronavirus is still prevalent. The Karnataka state government has taken a number of steps to limit the spread of this disease and to treat people infected by the virus. In this article, we discuss the SOP or Standard Operating Procedures for COVID care centers in Karnataka

If you or anyone around you shows symptoms of the disease, you must immediately consult a doctor. As long as it is addressed in time, the person can be treated and cured.

SOP For COVID Care Centers In Karnataka – Where Will Treatment Be Provided?

The state government has set up a number of temporary COVID care centers. Each COVID care center is mapped to one or more Dedicated COVID Health centers and at least one Dedicated COVID Hospitals for referrals. They also have dedicated Basic Life support Ambulances equipped with 24×7 oxygen support. Shifts will be maintained at 8-hour intervals.

A number of Dedicated COVID Health Centers and Dedicated COVID Hospitals have also been identified. Patients will be sent to one of the three centers for treatment based on the presence or absence of symptoms.

All asymptomatic patients with a body temperature less than 37.5˚C and oxygen saturation levels higher than 95% will be admitted to COVID Care Centers. Exceptions include:

The patient is more than 50 years old or less than 10 years old
The patient has co-morbidities
The patient is a pregnant or lactating woman
The patient has a serious medical or psychological condition

Symptomatic patients will be admitted to either Dedicated COVID Health centers or Dedicated COVID Hospitals based on the severity of the symptoms shown.

SOP For COVID Care Centers In Karnataka – Requirements For COVID Care Centers

These centers have been set up in private and public schools, hotels, stadiums, hostels, lodges, etc. Preferably, they should be naturally well-ventilated.

Ayush/Dentist
MBBS Doctor
Nursing Staff
Lab Technician
Ambulance

Some of the basic requirements in terms of infrastructure are:

Rooms/ dormitories with a preferable capacity of 5-10 beds per room
Beds to have 1-2 meters distance between them
Potable water should be available
Rooms should be well lit with ceiling fans, electricity and heating
A functional telephone system is needed for communication
Laundry services
Cleaning and housekeeping/ sanitation services should be available
Properly covered bins must be placed as per BMW
Parking space should be available for ambulances and other vehicles
Ease of access for medical/food/ other supplies delivery
Preferably, the center should be differently-abled friendly
Dedicated administrative office
Reception area
Pharmaceutical/ logistics rooms
Restrooms for doctors, nurses and supporting staff
Clinical examination rooms
Nursing stations
On or off-site laundry facilities
On or off-site mess/ meal preparation facilities
A holding area for contaminated waste
Washrooms
In-house accommodation for working staff
Preferably, the center should have recreational facilities such as indoor games, reading material, television or radio sets

Only trained and authorized personnel may enter the COVID Care centers. To ensure this the center should have informed and trained security at the main entrance and a guard. They must also maintain a register of people entering and leaving the center.

SOP For COVID Care Centers In Karnataka – Instructions For Care

All asymptomatic patients admitted to COVID care centers must be screened for body temperature, blood pressure, random blood sugar, heart rate and SpO2 levels at the time of admittance.

These levels will be monitored regularly at the beginning of each shift and on a need basis. Case records for each patient will be maintained separately. The THO/ BBMP officer will be updated with daily statistics such as status of individual patients, bed occupancy and referrals/ discharges.

If the patient begins to show moderate to severe symptoms, he/she will be shifted to a Dedicated COVID Health center or Dedicated COVID Hospital. The nodal person at the COVID care center will be responsible for this transfer.