Page 4 - Pulse@UM Issue 1/2020

COVER STORY to protect the HCWs by setting up the COVID-19 patient. A staff member who
UMMC COVID-19 HCW Surveillance fails to report his or her symptoms will
COVID-19 Pandemic: Protecting System. Surveillance of healthcare- be followed up. This is consistent with the
associated infections is one of the World remote active strategy in surveillance to
the Health Care Worker using Health Organization (WHO)’s eight identify HCWs with suspected COVID-19.
core components of infection prevention A guideline and decision algorithms for
Surveillance Information and control. While surveillance is a the response to HCW reports have been
critical component of providing safe developed to ensure rapid and appropriate
healthcare, it is important to recognize management of PUS. Early detection will
RAFDZAH AHMAD ZAKI that it requires expertise, good quality result in a better disease outcome and
(Department of Social and Preventive Medicine) data, and an established infection prevent further spread of the infection.
prevention and control program. In addition, PUS also will be linked to
psychological support to reduce their stress
Health facility surveillance capacity varies and anxiety during this pandemic period.
within health systems. At this moment, the
UMMC HCW surveillance system functions Information from the surveillance systems is
under medium capacity (according to the compiled and analyzed to provide scientific
CDC guideline) with a standardized data and factual database essential for informed
collection, and some limitations in staff and decision making and appropriate actions
data availability. The UMMC COVID-19 to improve the management of COVID-19
Health Care workers surveillance operation patients and protect the HCWs. A simple
room was first located in the Department analysis of basic information of HCWs
of Social & Preventive Medicine (SPM) and such as job description, location of work,
was operated by the public health medicine and type of personal protective equipment
specialists and nurses in that Department. (PPE) used during the exposure, allows
Starting from 1st April 2020, the operation identification of the areas for improvement
room has expanded its function and has in reducing the risk of HCWs to COVID-19.
up, and close monitoring of HCWs “
moved to level 2 of the RUKA Building,
UMMC. The role of the operation
room includes rapid identification, risk

reported its first COVID-19 case on to screen and manage COVID-19 patients. assessment and management, follow- Apart from the hazards
of pathogen exposure,
Mthe 25th of January 2020. Following Being a COVID-19 hospital, UMMC in contact with COVID-19 patients.
this, the number of cases increased and healthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed to HCWs are also exposed
a significant jump was observed in mid- hazards that put them at risk of COVID-19 All UMMC staff who were exposed to to long working hours,
March. The number of new cases has infection. Apart from the hazards of COVID-19 patients will have their risk
stabilized and started to drop from the pathogen exposure, HCWs are also exposed assessed and those with low, medium and psychological distress, fatigue,
end of April. Within three months of the to long working hours, psychological high risk will be enrolled in the surveillance occupational burnout,
outbreak, Malaysia has reported a total of distress, fatigue, occupational burnout, system. The particular staff will then be
5,851 cases with 100 deaths (as of 28 April social stigma, and physical as well as considered as persons under surveillance
2020). psychological violence. The Department of (PUS). Each PUS needs to report the as psychological violence
Public Health and the Occupational Safety absence or presence of COVID-19
The University of Malaya Medical Centre Health and Environment (OSHE) unit in symptoms in him or her every day for 14 stigma, and physical as well “
(UMMC) is one of the designated hospitals UMMC have put their efforts together days from the last date of exposure to a

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