Assam govt revises SOP for home isolation of COVID positive patients; Read more

GUWAHATI: The Assam government has revised the standard operating procedure (SOP) for COVID-19 positive patients who have opted for home isolation because it has been observed that a significant number of patients who have opted for home isolation are becoming critically ill as a result of failing to meet home isolation guidelines.

The Health and Family Welfare Department  has modified the permission for home isolation as following:

• COVID-19 patients over the age of 50 or with co-morbidities, according to the order, should undergo institutional isolation according to the COVID treatment protocol.
• They will be placed in institutional isolation for seven days under medical supervision and will be eligible for all services, including refreshment, as they are told. They will also have to complete another 7 days of home isolation after discharge, according to the discharge protocol.

The order stated that those aged 50 and over, as well as those with co-morbidities, will be granted home isolation only if they meet the following criteria:

A. The patient is asymptomatic, and that he/she is, prima facie, in good clinical condition without serious co-morbid conditions certified by a medical practitioner.

B.For the individual in isolation, there shall be a separate well-ventilated space with a separate toilet.

C.  Anyone over 60 years old and has co-morbidities/ a pregnant woman/ and others who are in the COVID- 19 high-risk groups will not be allowed to live in the house with the patient.

D. For 14 days, the entire residence will be transformed into a containment zone. On the fourth day after the start of the home isolation period, all people living in the building, including the patient, will have to voluntarily get checked for COVID-19 . If any of these people have symptoms, they whas been asked to go to the nearest testing center immidiately.

E. If the patient's home is in an apartment or a densely populated neighbourhood, and the neighbours object to the patient being alone at home for fair and good reasons, the patient may be transferred to a hospital.

F. The patient has to isolate himself at home and all the family members including the patient have to wear a mask all the time.

G. A caregiver should be available to provide care on a 24 x7 basis. The caregiver should follow all protocols strictly so as not to spread infection. The caregiver should also take prophylaxis treatment as per protocol.

H. The patient/guardian shall have to arrange for a private medical practitioner to regularly monitor the patient's condition in a person or through tele/video-link.

I. During the time of home isolation, the patient will have to strictly observe the medical advice of the physician as well as the hygiene and social distancing norms in the household.

J. The patient should have to keep a proper record of the oxygen saturation level, pulse rate, and temperature readings at regular intervals. In case, the oxygen saturation level falls below 95%, the patient should have to be shifted to a hospital immediately.

K. The patients shall make sure they have a private vehicle to be available at all hours, in case the need arises to shift the patient to a private hospital.

L. The patient/guardian should have to make arrangements for treatment in a private sector hospital if the need arises.

M. A patient who has completed 14 days of home isolation without any com-plications shall be deemed to be discharged, in consultation with State Discharge Board. 104 and Sampark team will advise accordingly.

N. All patients in Home isolation have been asked to cooperate with the district administration, the 104, and the SAMPARK team.

O. An undertaking is to be furnished by the COVID-19  patient seeking Home Isolation. Correct information and phone number are to be given in the undertaking. In case false information is provided then Health & Family Welfare department reserves the right to revoke permission for Home Isolation and impose a penalty. It is mandatory for Home Isolation patients to respond to follow-up calls.

Moreover, each district will set up telemedicine services for the patients in home isolation. One ADC rank officer shall be designated as nodal officer for issues relating to home isolation in the district.

Another officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner shall be similarly designated to look after telemedicine /call centre services.

The Sampark team, stationed at NHM headquarters, consisting of a dedicated team of doctors and counsellors, will call all COVID Home isolation positive patients.

Patients in Home Isolation may call the Sampark team in case of emergencies or for medical advice by means of the eSanjeevani OPD app and call directly in the number from which calls were made to the patient between 10 am to 10 pm.

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