As COVID-19 outbreak evolves, VUMC Infection Prevention recommends adapted isolation precautions
With increased availability of testing against the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19), more cases have been identified across the world, including the United States. With the detection of more cases, the concern for community spread has increased. VUMC is working closely with state and federal agencies to receive clearance to perform testing for the COVID-19 coronavirus, but as of now, testing is only available through the Tennessee State Laboratory and the CDC.
Due to the potential for unrecognized circulation of COVID-19, the VUMC Department of Infection Prevention is changing the current isolation practices for inpatients with fever and respiratory illness:
Inpatients presenting with fever + respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, “cold symptoms”):
- Place surgical mask on the patient. They should wear this at all times when out of their room
- If patient meets current CDC criteria for COVID Person Under Investigation (PUI, see here), then call Infection Prevention on call at 615-835-1205. These patients will be managed as PUI as per prior guidelines.
For persons not meeting criteria for PUI:
- Place patient into Contact + Droplet + Standard Precautions (a.k.a. Respiratory Virus Isolation Precautions)
- Wear surgical mask, gown, gloves, and eye protection
- If a patient requires an aerosol-generating procedure (bronchoscopy, induced sputum, intubation/extubation, bedside tracheostomy, aggressive open suctioning of airway secretions), they should be put into a negative pressure room and an N-95 or PAPR should be used (instead of surgical mask) with the other PPE
- Patient should stay on Respiratory Virus Isolation even if all testing (e.g. RPP) is negative or indicates an infection with a virus other than the COVID-19 coronavirus.
- Infection Prevention will review these cases daily to assess if able to remove from isolation precautions.
It is important to know that at this time, VUMC has not seen any patients with COVID-19. VUMC has an operational team that has been working for weeks now on planning in the event that VUMC sees a surge of suspected COVID-19 patients. This is also in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Health.
We also continue to update our list of Frequently Asked Questions – please go to https://www.vumc.org/infectioncontrol/54618 for the most current document.
Finally, it’s important to note that the situation continues to change as new information is reported, and that VUMC officials continue to monitor and plan our response. We pledge to update employees and students about any new information or changes in policy or procedures.
Previous updates are available here: