Published online Apr 26, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i12.2731
Peer-review started: October 28, 2020
First decision: November 20, 2020
Revised: December 28, 2020
Accepted: March 8, 2021
Article in press: March 8, 2021
Published online: April 26, 2021
Processing time: 169 Days and 2.6 Hours
Emerging infectious diseases are a constant threat to the public’s health and health care systems around the world. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019), which was defined by the World Health Organization as pandemic, has rapidly emerged as a global health threat. Outbreak evolution and prevention of international implications require substantial flexibility of frontline health care facilities in their response.
To explore the effect of the implementation and management strategy of pre-screening triage in children during COVID-19.
The standardized triage screening procedures included a standardized triage screening questionnaire, setup of pre-screening triage station, multi-point temperature monitoring, extensive screenings, and two-way protection. In order to ensure the implementation of the pre-screening triage, the prevention and control management strategies included training, emergency exercise, and staff protection. Statistical analysis was performed on the data from all the children hospitalized from January 20, 2020 to March 20, 2020 at solstice during the pandemic period. Data were obtained from questionnaires and electronic medical record systems.
A total of 17561 children, including 2652 who met the criteria for screening, 192 suspected cases, and two confirmed cases without omission, were screened from January 20, 2020 to March 20, 2020 at solstice during the pandemic period. There was zero transmission of the infection to any medical staff.
The effective strategies for pre-screening triage have an essential role in the prevention and control of hospital infection.
Core Tip: As the designated treatment center for children with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in Guangdong Province during the pandemic period, we developed standardized triage screening procedures to assist health care providers with next steps; a simple but crucial questionnaire was designed to assist diagnosing patients. All interventions, including multi-point temperature monitoring and screening, extensive screenings, and two-way protection, effectively prevented the spread of the epidemic. There were no infected patients missed, and there was zero transmission of the infection to any medical staff.