Mumbai: ‘No dialysis centre can be shut for more than 24 hours’

TNN | Apr 27, 2020, 06:07 IST

Photo used for representational purpose

MUMBAI: Dialysis centres cannot shut down operations for more than 24 hours if any of their staff test positive for Covid-19. Instead, they should function with the remaining unaffected staff. In a new protocol issued to dialysis clinics, the BMC has listed measures to ensure patients receive unhindered treatment and the risk factor of contracting Covid-19 is mitigated as well.
The protocol for dialysis clinics has been drawn up based on suggestions by Dr Sanjay Oak, chairman of the task force formed by the state government.
In case a staff member tests positive for coronavirus, the protocol suggests dialysis clinics/centres should be fumigated and thorough surface cleaning done with 1% sodium hypochlorite. However, the centre should not be closed for more than 24 hours. The protocol suggests all staff and patients who have not come in contact with the positive patient can continue dialysis at the centre.
The protocol further states doctors, technicians and nurses exposed to the Covid-19 patient need not be quarantined or tested unless they develop symptoms if they have been wearing full personal protection equipment (PPE). If staff have come in contact with the positive patient and have been without PPE, they should be considered close contacts and quarantined. If they do not develop symptoms by the seventh day, they must rejoin work immediately.