As the number of confirmed cases for covid-19 continues to rise in Ghana, nurses and midwives are at higher risk of infection since they are the frontline workers. It is therefore essential for nurses to be able to properly identify potential cases in order to reduce the spread of the virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided some guidelines for setting up the triage area. The triage or screening area requires the following equipment:
- Screening questionnaire
- Algorithm for triage (Triage process)
- Documentation papers
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
- Hand hygiene equipment and posters
- Infrared thermometer
- Waste bins and access to cleaning/disinfection
- Post signage in public areas with syndromic screening questions to instruct patients to alert HCWs.
TRIAGE AREA SETUP
- Ensure adequate space for triage ( maintain at least 1 m distance between staff screening and patient/staff entering )
- Have hand hygiene alcohol rub and masks available (also medical gloves, eye protection and gowns to be used according to risk assessment)
- Waiting room chairs for patients should be 1m apart
- Maintain a one-way flow for patients and for staff
- Clear signage for symptoms and directions
- Family members should wait outside the triage area-prevent triage area from overcrowding
SOURCE: WHO
