COVID-19 Response
Risk reduction and infection prevention for COVID 19- Global Health Uganda offices and study facilities
A number of clinical and research activities take place at GHU including participant recruitment, follow up, checkups etc. Since our staff members, participants, visitors to GHU come from different geographical locations of the country, it poses a risk of contracting COVID 19 while on the premises. Limiting access to the GHU premises would pose a number of challenges or setbacks on the studies and other administrative activities. It is against this background that GHU has developed standard operating procedures for preventing the transmission of corona virus at GHU amidst continuation of service delivery and research conduct. The key issues are early recognition of individuals with signs and symptoms by observing the stipulated preventative measures by both staff and clients. To limit the spread of COVID 19, it is important to promptly identify, isolate and refer patients with symptoms and history suggestive of the disease.
Purpose
- To ensure all staff including research study teams and study participants’ safety during clinic visits and implementation of study activities.
- To describe the procedure that should be followed when identifying, isolating and managing a presumptive Corona virus patient, guide health workers on the procedure of what to do when faced with a presumptive corona virus case at GHU.
Responsibility
These standard operating procedures (SOPs) apply to all institutional community involved in care of study participants and in documentation of these incidents: Clinicians, Nurses, Laboratory Personnel, Security Team, Administration & the Cleaning Team.
Supplies & Materials
- Masks
- Handwahing Soap
- Running Water
- Handwashing Points
- Hand Sanitizers
- Disinfectants
Mitigation Measures
Administrative Measures
- Ensuring regular disinfecting of all clinic or office rooms, working area and equipment with disinfecting detergent.
- Hand washing stations have been installed at all GHU entry points for purposes of preventing spread of infections particularly COVID 19.
- Enforcing mandatory wearing of masks at the GHU premises.
- Ensure presence of visual alerts such as signs, banners, posters at entrances and in strategic places around the facility in languages appropriate to the population served.
Staff members
- Regular washing of hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before and after visiting the facilities. The security personnel must observe that all staff are disinfecting and sanitizing as required.
- Reception areas. Staff to ensure that service at all reception points is quick. Study participants who are to receive drug refills should be attended to quickly. Ensure at least 2 meters distance between participants in the reception area and everyone must have a face mask worn properly.
- Physical distance among staff and study participants should be emphasized and avoid close contact with suspected individuals having cold and flu like symptoms.
- Telephone calls will be made to study participants in substitute to physical visits for particular study protocols where possible.
- If any staff member feels unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache, fever and slight runny nose, self-isolate by staying at home, inform your immediate supervisor. Wear a mask to avoid infecting other people.
Research Participants/ General Clients
- All general clients and study participants will be required to wear cloth face masks at all times while within the facility.
- All general clients and study participants will be required to wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizers before they enter into the facility and after their visits.
- Study participants may be picked by GHU cars; however social distancing has to be observed at all times during transportation. Vehicle occupancy must not exceed 50% of the normal capacity of the vehicle and properly donned masks must be used.
