The NHS instructs pharmacists on how to prepare for potential coronavirus patients

Following the upsurge of patients presenting themselves at pharmacists with coronavirus symptoms, the NHS Improvement and NHS England have published a standard operating procedure (SOP) instructing pharmacists on how to prepare for when a patient arrives with a possible case.

The SOP instructs that a private area should be prepared for patients to self-quarantine. The room should incorporate a help kit including a clinical waste bag and bottled water; pharmacists should also prepare on how they will monitor patients as well as communicate with them.

Once the patient has disembarked, the exclusive area should be fully enclosed off, doors shut, windows open and the air conditioning switched off until it’s disinfected. Also, waste from the potentially contaminated area should be quarantined until the patient’s test results are known.

If pharmacists have been in contact with the possible case, they shouldn’t self-isolate unless advised by a health protection team.