Pediatrics Management
Pediatric Critically Ill

Pediatric Critically Ill

COVID-19 is an infectious syndrome caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus that has not been previously detected in humans.

Though information is rapidly evolving, at this point it is noted that though the vast majority of patients have only mild symptoms, a small portion develop critical illness, in particular hypoxemic respiratory failure.

COVID-19 is believed to be spread via respiratory droplets (similar to influenza, MERS, and SARS) and/or contact (e.g. contaminated hands to mucous membranes).

Person to person spread has been identified.

  1. Use disposable patient equipment when possible.
  2. Dedicate re-useable equipment for single-patient use only and until discharge.
  3. If reusable equipment cannot be dedicated for a single patient use, clean and disinfect it between patients.
  4. Additional precaution rooms should contain a dedicated linen bag; double bag only if leaking.
  5. Do not share items that cannot be cleaned and disinfected.
  6. Special handling of linen or waste is not required. General waste from patients on additional precautions is not biomedical waste.
  1. Room surfaces and equipment cleaning/disinfection is required on a daily basis or more frequently if directed by IPC using AHS approved products and procedures.
  2. AHS approved disinfection products are effective against COVID-19.
  3. After discharge, transfer or discontinuation of contact and droplet precautions, clean room as per existing facility cleaning practices.
  4. Replace privacy curtains.
  5. Additional precaution signs should not be removed until both patient’s personal hygiene and environmental cleaning have been completed.

Enhanced Environmental Cleaning during COVID-19

Reference

This document has been developed by the Provincial Critical Care Pediatric Communicable Disease Working Group