COVID-19 in dermatology practice: getting back on track
- PDF / 252,409 Bytes
- 4 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
- 99 Downloads / 168 Views
BRIEF REPORT
COVID-19 in dermatology practice: getting back on track Kathryn Anne G. Cembrano 1 & Janice Natasha Ng 1 & Yong Rongrungruang 2 & Prasert Auewarakul 3 & Mitchel P. Goldman 4 & Woraphong Manuskiatti 1 Received: 22 April 2020 / Accepted: 17 May 2020 # Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2020
The increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases emphasizes the importance of preventive measures among healthcare workers (HCWs) [1]. The field of dermatology is not exempt from this global issue. Although elective procedures are already suspended, some continued to perform lasers and energy-based device (EBD) treatments during the initial period of the pandemic. Others may not have been aware of the possibility of disease transmission while performing the said procedures. There is a high chance of contracting or even transmitting the disease to and from the patient because of the close distance maintained. Patients can be categorized into two groups: those with severe symptoms documented with a COVID-19 diagnosis and those with undocumented infections which is estimated to cause 86.2% of all cases [2]. Although coronaviruses are isolated from human epithelial cells of the upper or lower respiratory tract, viral shedding in plasma or serum is also common [3]. Therefore, there is a theoretical risk of transmission of coronaviruses through the blood products of infected individuals. As there is an increasing number of asymptomatic patients, dermatologists should be fully aware of the potential risk of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) while performing laser and EBD procedures, and geared with complete biosafety protection.
* Woraphong Manuskiatti [email protected] 1
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
2
Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
3
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
4
University of California, San Diego and Cosmetic Laser Dermatology: A West Dermatology Company, San Diego, CA, USA
Preventive measures in dermatology practice The principal preventive initiatives for COVID-19 include administrative guidelines for patients and staff, correct usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and engineering measures.
Administrative measures for patients All non-emergency dermatology consults and procedures must be rescheduled. Screening patients and cancelling appointments only for those with fever is not enough because of the known viral shedding during asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic period [4]. Given the pandemic situation and asymptomatic shedding of SARS-CoV-2, offering universal face masks and alcohol-based handrubs (ABHRs) to all patients should be considered. Routine postoperative visits must likewise be suspended and advised teledermatology instead (Table
Data Loading...
