Medical Discussion of Coronavirus

[The White Coat Investor]

This is the only thread on the forum where discussion of non-financial aspects of the novel coronavirus pandemic may be discussed. All others will be shut down. Keep politics out of the discussion or this one will be closed as well.

[Cubicle]

I've seen screenshots of a plexiglass box with two holes for your arms, to place over patient head and torso while intubating. From some doc in Taiwan. Plans online for free. Easier to clean and reusable compared to alternatives, substantially reduces room wide aerosolization from intubation. Better than a plastic bag?

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3902435

https://sites.google.com/view/aerosolbox/design

Hmmm, I'll be looking into this. I've never worked with plexiglass but it can't be too difficult. I have a family member who has a small factory. Maybe fabricating these for the local hospitals.

[ENT Doc]

Some good news today:

-Battelle’s N95 mask sterilization process for re-use approved by the FDA
-Abbott labs approved for 5 min test (swab)
-Henry Schein starting production of point of care Ab testing with 15 min results

[pulmccMD]

Good morning.
Should I move the discussion from CARE OF THE COVID-19 PATIENT to this here thread?
And stop posting on the other thread I started?
I will do that if that is what is decided on.
Thanks

[Peds]

Good morning.
Should I move the discussion from CARE OF THE COVID-19 PATIENT to this here thread?
And stop posting on the other thread I started?
I will do that if that is what is decided on.
Thanks

edit: nm post here.

[Lordosis]

This video is being spread around my hospital system. I think we probably know most of this already but it might be worth sharing with your communities. He goes into some basics but the main focus is preventing spread of the disease and measures the lay public can take.

Thank you Dr. Price!

[billy]

We made one for the potential OR or OB COVID pts- the ob one even has a vent/suction thing on the side to draw the aerosols into scavenger. It hasnt been used in a real situation yet. However, for the floor intubations done on stretchers/pts beds I find it more impractical. Its easier to throw a plastic sheet or drape over the pt right as you are about to induce and use the mcgrath or glide under it than it would be to place a box over the pts head on a possibly uneven or lumpy surface (mattress) and have it sturdy enough to not impede my hand motions. In these intubations, I don't want anything that may slow me down .

[Hatton]

81% mortality if requires vent! Plexiglass headbox. Creativity in a s***storm.

[CrockettsRiver]

Would folks be willing to post good sources of medical information? Beyond the obvious (CDC, Johns Hopkins). Always helpful to have more, reliable scientific sources.

Edit to add: I am following SCCM and their “Critical care for non-CCM physicians”

https://www.sccm.org/Disaster/COVID19-ResourceResponseCenter

[pierre]

This video is being spread around my hospital system. I think we probably know most of this already but it might be worth sharing with your communities. He goes into some basics but the main focus is preventing spread of the disease and measures the lay public can take.

Thank you Dr. Price!

I haven't watched the video. I don't know if he has more than one either, but I have had some family asking about it. The takeaway for at least one of them was that they don't need to isolate themselves or take any measures beyond washing their hands.

[Lordosis]

I haven't watched the video. I don't know if he has more than one either, but I have had some family asking about it. The takeaway for at least one of them was that they don't need to isolate themselves or take any measures beyond washing their hands.

Not exactly. He stresses the importance of hand washing and avoiding touching your face.
He stresses the importance of isolation for those who are sick.
He talking about being aware when you are out in public about the things you touch and try to limit it as much as possible.
He discusses that most infections occur at home from family members.

He does downplay the use of masks to the public and that they are only really needed if you are spending prolonged time with sick patients. Mostly in inpatient settings.

I see that there are shortened versions of this floating around now. I hope the message does not get skewed.

[The White Coat Investor]

Good morning.
Should I move the discussion from CARE OF THE COVID-19 PATIENT to this here thread?
And stop posting on the other thread I started?
I will do that if that is what is decided on.
Thanks

Yes, the other one is already closed. That's precisely the type of discussion that should be here.

[Peds]

Okay here's a question:
We are provided one N95 for an undefined period of time. I can get a new surgical mask each session

I am seeing approximately 10 to 15 patients a day mix of "well" and definitely sick (103 F etc) but no procedures are being done.
.

Would you prefer to wear the n95 until it basically falls apart or the rotating surgical mask? Does anyone have any data that supports one or the other?

[snowcanyon]

Some good news today:

-Battelle’s N95 mask sterilization process for re-use approved by the FDA
-Abbott labs approved for 5 min test (swab)
-Henry Schein starting production of point of care Ab testing with 15 min results

I get the impression the FDA and CDC are pretty much rubber-stamping everything right now.
Let's hope Abbot test is more sensitive and works with just one swab, that the mask process actually works, and that the antibody test actually indicates immunity.

Are we allowed to discuss PPE here? I guess that's prevention of COVID. Talk from China, Italy and Spain that you really do need better coverage than what we have here on a good day- bunny suit, n-95, hood, goggles. Any thoughts?

[uptoolate]

UpToDate has made a very limited amount of its site available for no charge. This includes COVID-19 page with some of the links being live and a page with various Society's Guidelines for Coronovirus linked. The Worldometer site has been posted before and can be drilled down into for some degree of detail on local cases.