Everyday practice in Corona times

The healthcare system must not fail right now, because a large number of patients suffering from flu-like symptoms are to be expected in the next few months. In addition to the annual influenza and flu infections, there are also a number of COVID-19 cases. Doctors, practice assistants and laboratory employees must not be absent, so everyday practice must be organized safely and efficiently.

Organizational options for a safe everyday practice

Care for the sick at a distance and good appointment planning help to reduce the risk of infection for employees and patients. Telephone consultations and video consultations are ideal for clarifying in advance whether the patient needs to come to the practice. This also opens up the possibility of referring people suspected of having COVID-19 to a specialist practice or receiving the patients separately and with special security measures.

If possible, you should issue prescriptions, transfers and AU certificates after a telephone consultation . Send the papers by post and do not collect them.

Structure the daily practice routine by scheduling appointments . Only treat emergencies without prior appointment.

Separate the patient population into risk groups . Reserve times for people at high risk of serious illness. Disinfect the rooms very thoroughly before the consultation and do not treat patients with cold symptoms at the same time.

Optimize room planning and equipment

If you have not already done so, attach sneeze guards to the reception desk and in the consulting room. Consider whether a subdivision is also possible in the waiting area.

Use existing rooms that were previously not available to patients as additional waiting or treatment rooms .

Avoid patients touching surfaces in the office. Keep doors open so they don't have to ring the bell or touch a handle . Important: Attach appropriate information signs. Example: "Don't ring the bell. Open the door with your shoulder".

Help to keep the necessary safety distances with floor markings . Use signs to also point out the distance rules and the obligation to wear masks.

How information signs help

Your patients will act according to old habits if there are no clear signs pointing out the new regulations.

If possible, a large display should be placed about one meter in front of the practice door. This should prompt people to enter individually and provide information on how to open the door. If there isn't room for a standee, put up a large sign on the door. In addition, a sign should indicate that patients with symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, sore throat should contact the practice by telephone and should under no circumstances enter the practice without an appointment.

Look out for additional signage in the practice rooms. Wherever it is possible for several patients to meet, there should be a reference to a distance of at least 1.5 meters .

Also put up at least one sign with the most important hygiene tips . Ideally, one should hang near the sink in the patient's toilet.

Tip : Notes in transparent sleeves lying on tables or counters are easily overlooked. It is better to use stands or signs that are attached to a wall or door. These stand out immediately. If necessary, you can find the corresponding print templates for download and print them yourself.

General hygiene measures in practice

Maintain basic hygiene. This includes hand hygiene. A dispenser with disinfectant in the entrance area of ​​the practice with a note on its use helps your patients to pay attention. Pay attention to the effectiveness of the disinfectant. It must be at least "limitedly virucidal". The expiry date must not yet have been reached.

Create a hygiene plan for surface disinfection. Determine what is to be disinfected after each patient and which surfaces are to be disinfected several times or once a day.

Ventilate thoroughly and make sure that no ventilation system can distribute the air into different rooms. Stay healthy.