Why are precautions important?
The unfortunate outbreak of COVID 19 Pandemic has put tremendous pressure on the world, especially in the healthcare sector. The nature and behaviour of the virus is yet to be thoroughly understood and the rapidly spreading virus has led to more than one lakh deaths across the world. This calls for stringent safety precautions to be taken by every member of the society to save lives.
It is extremely important to note that individuals who are ASYMPTOMATIC – THAT IS, DO NOT HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS CAN ALSO BE CARRIERS OF THE VIRUS AND SPREAD TO OTHER PEOPLE.
Who is at risk?
All individuals are at potential risk of contracting this infection.
Individuals at high risk of complications are – Senior citizens, patients with diabetes, kidney issues, individuals with previous history of lung diseases, smokers and cancer patients.
Risk for healthcare professionals and hospitals
By not disclosing any potential symptoms or history, you will be putting other patients, their caregivers, doctors, nurses and the entire hospital at risk. Several hospitals have been completely shut down in India, including one in Bangalore, because of this.
We seek your complete and unstinted support in ensuring the safety of all cancer patients over the next few months. For this, the following measures have been taken:
1. Only ONE attender per patient is allowed to visit the hospital. The same attender will have to remain with the patient during the entire period of stay at the hospital.
2. Patients are provided food at the hospital and our hospital canteen is open for caregivers. OUTSIDE FOOD IS NOT ALLOWED.
3. NO VISITORS ALLOWED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. This also includes exchange of patient attenders during the hospital stay. Any violation of this rule will not be tolerated.
4. All patients and caregivers must comply with the screening staff prior to entry into the hospital.
5. Patients have to contact the hospital over telephone for appointment before visiting the hospital.
6. Report to the doctor/hospital administration if:
i) You or any member of your family have come in contact with any person who has been confirmed or suspicious to be COVID Positive
ii) You or any family member have a recent travel history
iii) You or any family member have cough, cold, fever or difficulty in breathing.
COVID 19 Testing
As mentioned, a person may not have any symptoms of a COVID infection but may still be positive for the virus. When such a person undergoes treatment for cancer, their condition may worsen and the entire hospital will be at risk of contracting the infection.
Hence, as per the directions of Government of India, all patients (including those without any symptoms) will be tested for COVID 19 prior to any treatment for cancer. This policy will continue to be effective until it is declared by the Government and Health officials that there are no more community cases of COVID 19.
QUARANTINE GUIDELINES:
1. Stay at home for the period of quarantine; avoid contact with other members of the family who frequently go out including children.
2. Discourage family members from going out unless essential.
3. Discourage friends/relatives from visiting you at home.
4. Frequently wash hands and maintain personal hygiene.`
5. Keep your mind occupied with other indoor activities
6. Avoid using public transport to visit the hospital.
GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
· Stay at home and limit all your non-essential travel.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
· Do not shake hands.
· Wash hands frequently with soap and clean water. Alcohol based hand-rub may also be used.
· Maintain personal hygiene and always maintain at least one metre distance from others.
· Do not participate in gatherings of any kind.
· If you do come out for any essential work or hospital visit, please follow the steps below:
i) Ring up home on your way back. Someone should keep the front door open (so that you do not have to touch the calling bell or door handle) and a bucket of water with washing soap or bleaching powder added to it, outside the front door.
ii) Keep your belongings in a box outside the door.
iii) Wash your hands in bucket and stand in the water for a few minutes. Meanwhile, use tissue and sanitizer wipe the items in the box. Wash hands once again.
iv) Now enter the house without touching anything, bathroom door is to be kept open by someone and bucket of detergent soap water should be ready. Take off all clothes including innerwear and soak in the bucket.
v) Take a bath with soap and wash hair with shampoo.
vi) Wash clothes / put in washing machine with high temperature setting and dry clothes in direct sunlight.
HELP US TO HELP YOU!
YOU HAVE A MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS YOUR FAMILY & THE SOCIETY.
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