New Pandemic COVID-19 Protocol in LowCode

Hello!

We're writing to inform you about the new Pandemic COVID-19 Protocol in LowCode.

Intent of the Protocol

To differentiate callers/ patients with complications of COVID-19 (i.e. pneumonia and respiratory distress) from those who potentially could be exposed to the virus and those who may have contracted the virus with minimal symptoms.

Self-Care Instructions

This protocol offers the ECNs the opportunity to provide interim self-care instructions for those callers/ patients who may have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 as well as those caring for or in close proximity to these patients.

Support for Serious Disease

Further, this protocol supports the ECNs in identifying those individuals who may be at risk for potential serious disease.

NOTE: It is important to point out to the ECNs that the Pandemic Influenza protocol should not be used during the COVID-19 pandemic and should not be confused with the Pandemic COVID-19 protocol

Bimodal Response Pattern

The ECNs should expect a rather bimodal response pattern with this protocol:

• High acuity (911) dispositions for patients with severe complications of COVID-19
• Lower acuity (speak to your physician or home care) dispositions for those who suffer from mild symptoms or who only present with a potential exposure risk and asymptomatic for the time being.

Prior to a Pandemic Announcement

Until a pandemic is announced and the agency’s medical director formally gives the goahead on the use of the Pandemic Coronavirus (216) protocol in LowCode, we do not recommend this protocol’s use. Rather, use the cold/flu/fever/cough etc. protocols reflecting the patient’s symptoms.

Enacting the Protocol Before a Pandemic

However, there may be reasons that a medical director at a particular agency may determine to enact the protocol before a pandemic is announced, due to local circumstances, and this decision lies at the discretion of the medical director.

After a Pandemic Announcement

Once a COVID-19 pandemic is announced, each agency’s medical director will need to approve the use of this protocol for their agency in order to triage patients with symptoms reflecting the COVID-19 infection.

• These symptoms include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, severe muscle aches in the back area and extremities, runny nose, fatigue, extreme tiredness/malaise or any other symptoms identified as relevant by the CDC or other international equivalent agencies.
• Any one of these symptoms or a combination may initiate the use of this protocol.

NOTE: It is important to point out to the ECNS that the Pandemic Influenza protocol should not be used during the COVID-19 pandemic and should not be confused with the Pandemic COVID-19 protocol.

Be Prepared for Asymptomatic Callers

Preventing Spread of Potential Infection

One of the issues that each agency will need to be prepared to deal with, especially those who use a direct dial Nurse Health Line, are those callers who believe they may have been exposed but are asymptomatic. They will need information on how to prevent possible spread of potential infection.

• The interim care instructions in this protocol were up to date at the time of release but knowing the situation is fluid we recommend that current and updated information from the CDC, WHO (or other international equivalent) or any other resource approved by the Medical Director is readily available to the nurses to disseminate to these callers.
• Please run the updated Protocol script followed by the Override script for your agency in your pre-production environment and test thoroughly.

We're Here to Help!

Feel free to reach out to our software support at support@prioritysolutionsinc.com for access to the protocol update files.

Sincerely,

Conrad Fivaz

Priority Solutions, Inc.

Director, Emergency Communication Nurse Systems

conrad.fivazmd@prioritysolutionsinc.com