Resuming outpatient services during COVID times: Our approach and experience at India's apex institute

Int J Health Plann Manage. 2021 Nov;36(6):2011-2019. doi: 10.1002/hpm.3280. Epub 2021 Jul 15.

Abstract

Healthcare services have been severely strained and stressed coping with the rising burden of COVID-19 patients. With the situation gradually worsening and the growing need to cater to Non-COVID patients, we ventured to reopen the OPDs. This was to be implemented in a staggered manner. The backbone to this endeavour was the specialised screening and sampling OPD for healthcare workers which had been earlier established. We would like to share our two-pronged approach in this unprecedented situation: establishment of a specialised screening and sampling clinic for healthcare workers and a high-volume "Influenza-like screening clinic" for the resumption of outpatient services.

Keywords: infection control; outpatient department; pandemic; screening.

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • India
  • SARS-CoV-2