ACEP COVID-19 Field Guide

Table of Contents

ACEP COVID-19 Field Guide
Publisher’s Notice
The COVID-19 Pandemic
Introduction
General Information on COVID-19
Home Safety
Preparing for Work
Returning From Work
Self-Isolation
Return-to-Work Criteria
Work Safety
ACEP Statements on PPE for COVID-19
Appropriate PPE
Aerosolization
Facility Changes
EMS
Personnel Safety
Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation in the COVID-19 Era
Air Method Guidelines for the Care of Patients With Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
Triage
How COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases Move Within a Hospital
Medical Screening Examinations
Vaccinations
Vaccinations and Prevention
Characteristics of COVID-19 Variants and Mutants
Characteristics of COVID-19 Variants and Mutants
Patient Presentation
Signs and Symptoms
Assessment
Laboratory Abnormalities
Chest X-ray and CT
Ultrasound
Ultrasound Cleaning
Diagnosis
Testing
Severity and Progression of Disease
Risk Stratification and Evaluation
Populations at Risk
Evaluation Pathway for Patients with Possible COVID-19
Quarantine and Isolation for Patients
Treatment
Management of Patients With COVID-19
Critical Issues in the Management of Adult Patients Presenting With Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Alternative Treatments
Acute Cardiomyopathy or Heart Failure
Cardiac Arrest
Discharge: Expected Recovery
Discharge to Home Palliative Care
ICU Care in the Emergency Department
Ventilators
Special Populations
Health Care Workers
Law Enforcement
Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
Elderly Patients
Immunocompromised Patients
Pregnant Patients and Pregnancy
Pediatric Patients
Homeless Patients
Dialysis Patients
Psychiatric Patients
Behavioral Health Patients
Patients With Substance Use Disorders
Immigrants
Incarcerated Population
Financial Guidance and Information
Billing and Coding for COVID-19 Care
Regulations and Liability
EMTALA Enforcement During Disasters and Public Health Emergencies
Personal Well-Being and Resilience
ACEP Offers, Wellness, and Counseling Services
Burnout, Self-Care, and COVID-19 Exposure for First Responders
Critical Incident Stress Information
Managing Patient and Family Distress Associated with COVID-19 in the Prehospital Care Setting
ACEP Policy on Visitation and Custody
Historical Information from the First Edition of the ACEP COVID-19 Field Guide
Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Health Care Personnel During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Impact on Research
Change to Education Policies
Licensure and Credentialing
Telehealth and Tele-Triage
Quick Guide to a Basic Tele-Triage Program

General Information on COVID-19

The COVID-19 Pandemic

Stay up to date on the latest information about signs and symptoms, viral testing, and case definitions for COVID-19:
- NIH COVID-19 Guidelines
- CDC COVID-19 Summary
Review your infection prevention and control policies and CDC COVID-19 infection control recommendations for:
- Assessment and triage of patients with acute respiratory symptoms;
- Patient placement;
- Implementation of standard, contact, and airborne precautions, including the use of eye protection;
- Visitor management and exclusion;
- Source control measures for patients (eg, put a face mask on suspect patients); and
- Requirements for performing aerosol-generating procedures.
Know how to report a potential COVID-19 case or exposure to your facility infection control leads and public health officials.
Know your occupational health contact and when and how to contact them for an evaluation after a high-risk exposure.
Know how to contact and receive information from your state or local public health agency.

Introduction

Preparing for Work

Home Safety

Returning From Work

Author: Kelly Gray-Eurom, MD, MMM, FACEP, Chief Quality Officer/Assistant Dean for Quality and Safet...

Home Safety

Self-Isolation

Self-isolation when sick or after a known COVID-19 exposure can reduce the likelihood of infecting o...

Home Safety

Return-to-Work Criteria

When to return to work after an exposure to or infection with a transmissible disease is a complex d...