ACEP COVID-19 Field Guide

Table of Contents

ACEP COVID-19 Field Guide
Publisher’s Notice
The COVID-19 Pandemic
Introduction
General Information on COVID-19
Home Safety
Preparing for Work
Returning From Work
Self-Isolation
Return-to-Work Criteria
Work Safety
ACEP Statements on PPE for COVID-19
Appropriate PPE
Aerosolization
Facility Changes
EMS
Personnel Safety
Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation in the COVID-19 Era
Air Method Guidelines for the Care of Patients With Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
Triage
How COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases Move Within a Hospital
Vaccinations
Vaccinations and Prevention
Characteristics of COVID-19 Variants and Mutants
Characteristics of COVID-19 Variants and Mutants
Patient Presentation
Signs and Symptoms
Assessment
Laboratory Abnormalities
Chest X-ray and CT
Ultrasound
Ultrasound Cleaning
Diagnosis
Testing
Severity and Progression of Disease
Long-Term Sequelae of COVID-19: Post–COVID-19 or Long COVID Syndrome
Risk Stratification and Evaluation
Populations at Risk
Evaluation Pathway for Patients With Possible COVID-19
Quarantine and Isolation for Patients
Treatment
Management of Patients With COVID-19
Critical Issues in the Management of Adult Patients Presenting With Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Alternative Treatments
Acute Cardiomyopathy or Heart Failure
Cardiac Arrest
Discharge: Expected Recovery
Discharge to Home Palliative Care
ICU Care in the Emergency Department
Ventilators
Special Populations
Health Care Workers
Law Enforcement
Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
Elderly Patients
Immunocompromised Patients
Pregnant Patients and Pregnancy
Pediatric Patients
Homeless Patients
Dialysis Patients
Psychiatric Patients
Behavioral Health Patients
Patients With Substance Use Disorders
Immigrants
Incarcerated Population
Financial Guidance and Information
Billing and Coding for COVID-19 Care
Regulations and Liability
EMTALA Enforcement During Disasters and Public Health Emergencies
Personal Well-Being and Resilience
ACEP Offers, Wellness, and Counseling Services
Burnout, Self-Care, and COVID-19 Exposure for First Responders
Critical Incident Stress Information
Managing Patient and Family Distress Associated with COVID-19 in the Prehospital Care Setting
ACEP Policy on Visitation and Custody
Historical Information from the First Edition of the ACEP COVID-19 Field Guide
Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Health Care Personnel During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Impact on Research
Change to Education Policies
Licensure and Credentialing
Telehealth and Tele-Triage
Quick Guide to a Basic Tele-Triage Program

Introduction

The COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 continues to spread nationally and internationally. At the beginning of this unprecedented pandemic, ACEP assembled the First Edition of the COVID-19 Field Guide to assist in the crisis. This resource is a compilation of what we know on the evaluation and treatment of COVID-19. It is a living document that is being updated with new information, guidance, and best practices for the Second Edition. This field guide aims to provide the information emergency physicians need to assess the available resources in their community and determine their local applications. This document is not meant to set a standard of care and does not represent ACEP policy, unless explicitly stated.

William P. Jaquis, MD, FACEP
Past President
American College of Emergency Physicians

Publisher’s Notice

General Information on COVID-19

Home Safety

Preparing for Work

Author: Kelly Gray-Eurom, MD, MMM, FACEP, Chief Quality Officer/Assistant Dean for Quality and Safet...

Home Safety

Returning From Work

Author: Kelly Gray-Eurom, MD, MMM, FACEP, Chief Quality Officer/Assistant Dean for Quality and Safet...

Home Safety

Self-Isolation

Self-isolation when sick or after a known COVID-19 exposure can reduce the likelihood of infecting o...