Please share this updated letter C0106 HPN COVID patient information_UPDATED_27 March with families of children on home parenteral nutrition. It outlines plans that home care providers are putting in place and changes that families may expect.
Please be aware of the latest advice.
“Keeping yourself safe”
“The government is regularly updating its guidance on at-risk groups. In light of the latest information your hospital teams now consider that patients on HPN are a high risk group, as you/your child have significant organ impairment (GI) and a central venous access device in place. This advice is endorsed by the British Society of Gastroenterology. It advises you to follow the guidance on ‘shielding’ stringently, as outlined by the government, and you are strongly advised to stay at home and avoid any face-to-face contact for at least 12 weeks in the first instance. This can be challenging but the consensus is it is the best way to keep yourself/your child safe”.
This is a challenging time but amid the concern, there are uplifting stories of how people are looking out for each other and communities pulling together. The children’s rainbows of hope in windows and the national clap for carers to celebrate the work of the NHS and care workers on Thursday were much appreciated.
Information is useful—but too much information can be unhelpful. I have limited news updates to new information from consensus sources. We don’t generally benefit from watching the news over and over. Try to focus instead on the things you need to get done. Value the rest of the time to relax with your family or friends and reach out to those who may not have such good support networks as you may have.
The bulletins below have some reassuring observations for our patients.
I hope that these help guide your practice while working differently.
1 )Statement “Gastrointestinal endoscopy in children and COVID 19 pandemic” – ESPGHAN Endoscopy Special Interest Group
“..elective procedures – especially those such as upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy which is an ‘aerosol-generating procedure’ (AGP) – should be put on hold at present. Equally ileocolonoscopy, given that we know now that COVID-19 can be excreted in stools. Local and physician judgment should occur when determining which patients require urgent endoscopic diagnostic testing, but these should be kept to a minimum. Obviously, life-saving endoscopy such as GI bleeding and button battery ingestion are mandatory and should not be deferred. In the event of endoscopy being required a full personal exposure protection package should be worn by those in the immediate vicinity of the endoscopy including an FPP3 mask or equivalent”
Preliminary experience so far show that children under 12 years of age do not develop coronavirus pneumonia regardless of their immune status although they get infected and can spread the infection. Immune suppressed patients are not at risk for severe pulmonary disease compared with the general population.
2) Article “COVID-19 and paediatric inflammatory bowel diseases: global experience and provisional guidance (March 2020) from the Paediatric IBD Porto group of ESPGHAN”. see PDF attached https://bspghan.org.uk/jpgn-s-20-00391
Preliminary data for PIBD patients during COVID-19 outbreak are reassuring.
IBD per-se does not currently seem to be a risk factor for acquiring SARS-CoV-2, nor for a more severe infection. Standard IBD treatments including biologics should continue at present
All upper GI endoscopy should be considered high risk and enhanced PPE is recommended for all patients, regardless of any risk stratification.
BSG also considers lower GI endoscopies to be aerosol generating procedures (AGP) but the evidence for this is less strong and there is insufficient evidence to consider these as high risk at the present time
Risk stratification of patients by symptoms and temperature is of limited value, given the widespread prevalence and incubation period of up to 14 days
We recognise the limited availability of PPE, especially FFP3 masks, and so case selection is critical, focussing only on emergency and absolutely essential procedures. Minimising the volume of emergency activity will help preserve PPE supply.
Notes on FFP3 masks and enhanced PPE
Proper fitting and testing prior to use
Although ‘single use’ can use for several hours if not removed/contaminated
FFP3 uncomfortable after prolonged wearing, may affect ease of procedure
Cannot e.g. use phone, visit, toilet, eat or drink once enhanced PPE is on
For COVID-positive patients – consider wearing full visor and surgical mask over FFP3 mask. This minimises risk of contamination of FFP3 mask and prolongs use
Further Key points for Optimal Practice
For known COVID-positive patients
Scope in designated, different area of the department
Designated, separate recovery area
Minimal furniture and equipment in room
Minimum essential staff in room
Remember
PPE is only part of the strategy to prevent and control transmission of infection
Team organisation –essential staff only in procedure room
Don’t share PCs, keyboards, phones etc – or clean thoroughly between users
The situation is rapidly evolving and this guidance may be updated regularly
