Infection prevention and control for labor and delivery, well baby nurseries, and neonatal intensive care units.
Semin Perinatol
; 44(7): 151320, 2020 11.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1029947
ABSTRACT
During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, infection prevention and control (IP&C) for women in labor and mothers and newborns during delivery and receiving post-partum care was quite challenging for staff, patients, and support persons due to a relative lack of evidence-based practices, high rates of community transmission, and shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). We present our IP&C policies and procedures for the obstetrical population developed from mid-March to mid-May 2020 when New York City served as the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. For patients, we describe screening for COVID-19, testing for SARS-CoV-2, and clearing patients from COVID-19 precautions. For staff, we address self-monitoring for symptoms, PPE in different clinical scenarios, and reducing staff exposures to SARS-CoV-2. For visitors/support persons, we address limiting them in labor and delivery, the postpartum units, and the NICU to promote staff and patient safety. We describe management of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers and their newborns in both the well-baby nursery and in the neonatal ICU. Notably, in the well-baby nursery we do not separate SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers from their newborns, but emphasize maternal mask use and social distancing by placing newborns in isolates and asking mothers to remain 6 feet away unless feeding or changing their newborn. We also encourage direct breastfeeding and do not advocate early bathing. Newborns of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers are considered persons under investigation (PUIs) until 14 days of life, the duration of the incubation period for SARS-CoV-2. We share two models of community-based care for PUI neonates. Finally, we provide our strategies for enhancing communication and education during the early months of the pandemic.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
/
Organizational Policy
/
Infection Control
/
Delivery Rooms
/
COVID-19
/
Nurseries, Hospital
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Semin Perinatol
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
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