Clinical features, diagnosis and management of COVID-19 patients in the outdoor setting

J Pak Med Assoc. 2020 May;70(Suppl 3)(5):S52-S55. doi: 10.5455/JPMA.12.

Abstract

In a brief span of a few months, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has brought a major paradigm shift in operation of clinical services around the world. Infection may be mild, moderate or severe; many remain asymptomatic. High burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases theoretically puts Pakistani population at increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection. Considering the universal risk of infection, the outpatient services in Pakistan need to be redesigned. Starting with risk assessment of the facility and provision of a dedicated telephone connection, structure and workflow need to be redesigned in order to minimise risk of exposure to healthcare professionals, staff and patients. Patients with COVID-19 patients should be identified before they arrive in the facility and should be served expeditiously, in an environment which prevents cross-transmission of infection. Tele-consultation is assuming an important role. Changes which are taking place in response to Covid-19 pandemic will have far reaching effects on clinical services in Pakistan.

Keywords: Coronavirus, Signs, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Outpatient care..

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care* / methods
  • Ambulatory Care* / standards
  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections* / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections* / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections* / prevention & control
  • Coronavirus Infections* / therapy
  • Delivery of Health Care / methods
  • Delivery of Health Care / standards
  • Humans
  • Pakistan
  • Pandemics* / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / therapy
  • Remote Consultation
  • Risk Assessment
  • SARS-CoV-2