Skip to main content

Table 3 Reorganisation of medical examinations performed by GPs

From: Reorganisation of GP surgeries during the COVID-19 outbreak: analysis of guidelines from 15 countries

 

WHO

France

Germany

Italy

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

United Kingdom

US

Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

- Plan to optimise your facility’s supply of PPE in the event of shortages

 

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

 

x

x

x

x

  

x

- Use an appropriate medical mask for the medical examination

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

- Wear eye protection (goggles) or facial protection (face shield)

x

 

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

 

x

x

x

x

- Wear a clean, non-sterile, long-sleeved gown

x

  

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

 

x

x

x

x

- Use gloves

x

 

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

 

x

x

x

x

- Don't wear boots, overalls, or aprons

x

        

x

      

- Wear aprons if gowns are not available

   

x

            

- Use a waterproof apron if in contact with the patient’s body fluids

        

x

 

x

     

- Cover shoes if they are not washable

        

x

       

- PPE should be changed between patients

x

x

  

x

x

 

x

     

x

x

 

- PPE should be cleaned and disinfected if re-used

x

 

x

            

x

- PPE should be changed every day, or after each suspected COVID-19 patient

   

x

            

Clinical examination

- Do not perform ENT (ear, nose and throat) examinations

 

x

   

x

 

x

 

x

      

- Do not perform clinical examinations on COVID19 patients

   

x

            

- Do not perform clinical examinations in the absence of appropriate PPE

  

x

x

            

- Maintain a distance of at least 2 metres between yourself and the patient

      

x

x

   

x

    

Personal hygiene

 

- Hand hygiene (alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water)

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

 

x

x

x

x

- Hand hygiene after contact with patients or objects belonging to patients

 

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

 

x

x

x

x

- Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, or mouth

x

 

x

x

 

x

x

x

 

X

  

x

  

x

- Tie up any hair that falls onto your face

  

x

         

x

   

- Shave off your beard

  

x

    

x

        

- Remove jewellery

  

x

x

  

x

x

 

x

    

x

 

- Remove nail varnish

  

x

   

x

x

 

x

      

Advice, payment

- Educate patients about the early recognition of symptoms, basic precautions and which healthcare facility they should go to

x

 

x

    

x

 

x

      

- Provide clear instructions regarding home care, and how and when to access healthcare

       

x

 

x

     

x

- Include “personal hygiene advice” on prescriptions for COVID-19 patients

 

x

              

- Provide COVID-19 patients with information about contact management

  

x

      

x

x

     

- Develop enhanced communication skills and empathy to minimise patient anxiety

x

        

x

x

     

- Prefer non-cash payments

      

x