Handbook of COVID 19 Prevention en Mobile PDF
Handbook of COVID 19 Prevention en Mobile PDF
Handbook of COVID 19 Prevention en Mobile PDF
and Treatment
The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
Compiled According to Clinical Experience
Editor’s Note:
Faced with an unknown virus, sharing and collaboration are the best remedy.
The publication of this Handbook is one of the best ways to mark the courage and wisdom our
healthcare workers have demonstrated over the past two months.
Thanks to all those who have contributed to this Handbook, sharing the invaluable experience
with healthcare colleagues around the world while saving the lives of patients.
Thanks to the support from healthcare colleagues in China who have provided experience that
inspires and motivates us.
Thanks to Jack Ma Foundation for initiating this program, and to AliHealth for the technical
support, making this Handbook possible to support the fight against the epidemic.
The Handbook is available to everyone for free. However, due to the limited time, there might be
some errors and defects. Your feedback and advice are highly welcomed!
Foreword
This is an unprecedented global war, and mankind is facing the same enemy, the novel corona-
virus. And the first battlefield is the hospital where our soldiers are the medical workers.
To ensure that this war can be won, we must first make sure that our medical staff is guaranteed
sufficient resources, including experience and technologies. Also, we need to make sure that the
hospital is the battleground where we eliminate the virus, not where the virus defeats us.
Therefore, Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation have convened a group of medical
experts who have just returned from the frontlines of fighting the pandemic. With the support of
The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (FAHZU), they quickly
published a guidebook on the clinical experience of how to treat this new coronavirus. The
treatment guide offers advice and reference against the pandemic for medical staff around the
world who are about to join the war.
Thanks to the medical staff from FAHZU. While taking huge risks in treating COVID-19 patients,
they wrote down their treatment experience day and night in this Handbook.
Over the past 50 days, 104 confirmed patients have been admitted to FAHZU, including 78 severe
and critically ill ones. Thanks to the pioneering efforts of medical staff and the application of
new technologies, to date, we have witnessed a miracle. No staff is infected, and there is no
missed diagnosis or patient deaths.
Today, with the spread of the pandemic, these experiences are the most valuable sources of
information and the most important weapon for medical workers on the battlefield. This is a
brand-new disease, and China was the first to suffer from the pandemic. Isolation, diagnosis,
treatment, protective measures, and rehabilitation have all been started from scratch, but we
hope that with the advent of this Handbook doctors and nurses in other affected areas can learn
from our experience when entering the battlefield and they won't have to start from zero.
This pandemic is a common challenge faced by mankind in the age of globalization. At this
moment, sharing resources, experiences and lessons, regardless of who you are, is our only
chance to win. Because the real remedy for epidemics is not isolation, but cooperation.
This war has just begun.
Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Contents
Part One Prevention and Control Management
I. Isolation Area Management......................................................................................................1
II. Staff Management..................................................................................................................4
III. COVID-19 Related Personal Protection Management.............................................................5
IV. Hospital Practice Protocols during COVID-19 Epidemic...........................................................6
V. Digital Support for Epidemic Prevention and Control..............................................................16
Appendix
I. Medical Advice Example for COVID-19 Patients.......................................................................53
II. Online Consultation Process for Diagosis and Treatment.......................................................57
References........................................................................................................................................ ..........59
1 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Fever Clinic
1.1 Layout
(1) Healthcare facilities shall set up a relatively independent fever clinic including an
exclusive one-way passage at the entrance of the hospital with a visible sign;
(2) The movement of people shall follow the principle of “three zones and two passag-
es”: a contaminated zone, a potentially contaminated zone and a clean zone provided
and clearly demarcated, and two buffer zones between the contaminated zone and the
potentially contaminated zone;
(3) An independent passage shall be equipped for contaminated items; set up a visual
region for one-way delivery of items from an office area (potentially contaminated zone) to
an isolation ward (contaminated zone);
(4) Appropriate procedures shall be standardized for medical personnel to put on and take
off their protective equipment. Make flowcharts of different zones, provide full-length
mirrors and observe the walking routes strictly;
(5) Infection prevention and control technicians shall be assigned to supervise the medical
personnel on putting on and removing protective equipment so as to prevent contamination;
(6) All items in the contaminated zone that have not been disinfected shall not be removed.
③ The white blood cells count in the early stage of the disease
is normal or decreased, or the lymphocyte count decreases
over time.
Expert
Suspected Case Diagnosis Yes Yes
consultation
3 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
2.2 Layout
Please refer to fever clinic.
Workflow Management
(1) Before working in a fever clinic and isolation ward, the staff must undergo strict training
and examinations to ensure that they know how to put on and remove personal protective
equipment. They must pass such examinations before being allowed to work in these
wards.
(2) The staff should be divided into different teams. Each team should be limited to a ma-
ximum of 4 hours of working in an isolation ward. The teams shall work in the isolation
wards (contaminated zones) at different times.
(3) Arrange treatment, examination and disinfection for each team as a group to reduce the
frequency of staff moving in and out of the isolation wards.
(4) Before going off duty, staff must wash themselves and conduct necessary personal hy-
giene regimens to prevent possible infection of their respiratory tracts and mucosa.
Health Management
(1) The front-line staff in the isolation areas – including healthcare personnel, medical
technicians and property & logistics personnel – shall live in an isolation accommodation
and shall not go out without permission.
(2) A nutritious diet shall be provided to improve the immunity of medical personnel.
(3) Monitor and record the health status of all staff on the job, and conduct health monitor-
ing for front-line staff, including monitoring body temperature and respiratory symptoms;
help address any psychological and physiological problems that arise with relevant experts.
(4) If the staff have any relevant symptoms such as fever, they shall be isolated immediately
and screened with an NAT.
(5) When the front-line staff including healthcare personnel, medical technicians and property
& logistics personnel finish their work in the isolation area and are returning to normal life,
they shall first be NAT tested for SARS-CoV-2. If negative, they shall be isolated collectively at
a specified area for 14 days before being discharged from medical observation.
5 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Level II
· Work uniform · Non-respiratory specimen examination
protection
· Disposable medical protective of suspected/confirmed patients
Notes:
1. All staff at the healthcare facilities must wear medical surgical masks;
2. All staff working in the emergency department, outpatient department of infectious diseases,
outpatient department of respiratory care, department of stomatology or endoscopic examina-
tion room (such as gastrointestinal endoscopy, bronchofibroscopy, laryngoscopy, etc.) must
upgrade their surgical masks to medical protective masks (N95) based on Level I protection;
3. Staff must wear a protective face screen based on Level II protection while collecting respirato-
ry specimens from suspected/confirmed patients.
6 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
7. Put on disposable
2. Wash hands
latex gloves
8. Donning
6. Put on goggles and completed 3. Put on a disposable
protective clothing surgical cap
6. Remove inner
2. Remove protective clothing
disposable latex gloves
along with outer gloves
7. Removal
completed
4. Remove mask
(2) If there is no plasma air sterilizers, use ultraviolet lamps for 1 hour each time. Perform this operation
three times a day.
3.2 For spills of a large volume (> 10 mL) of blood and bodily fluids:
(1) First, place signs to indicate the presence of a spill;
(2) Perform disposal procedures according to Option 1 or 2 described below:
① Option 1: Absorb the spilled fluids for 30 minutes with a clean absorbent towel (containing
peroxyacetic acid that can absorb up to 1 L of liquid per towel) and then clean the contami-
nated area after removing the pollutants.
② Option 2: Completely cover the spill with disinfectant powder or bleach powder contain-
ing water-absorbing ingredients or completely cover it with disposable water-absorbing
materials and then pour a sufficient amount of 10,000 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant
onto the water-absorbing material (or cover with a dry towel which will be subjected to
high-level disinfection). Leave for at least 30 minutes before carefully removing the spill.
(3) Fecal matter, secretions, vomit, etc. from patients shall be collected into special contain-
ers and disinfected for 2 hours by a 20,000 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant at a
spill-to-disinfectant ratio of 1:2.
(4) After removing the spills, disinfect the surfaces of the polluted environment or objects.
(5) The containers that hold the contaminants can be soaked and disinfected with 5,000
mg/L active chlorine-containing disinfectant for 30 minutes and then cleaned.
(6) The collected pollutants should be disposed of as medical waste.
(7) The used items should be put into double-layer medical waste bags and disposed of as
medical waste.
10 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Wipe all parts repeatedly and evenly with a soft cloth dipped Wash it with
in the cleaning liquid (clean water) clean water
Let parts dry and place them in a zip lock bag for future use
Note: The disinfection procedures for protective hood described above are only for reusable protec-
tive hoods (excluding disposable protective hoods).
11 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
4.2 Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures for Digestive Endoscopy and Bronchofibro-
scopy
(1) Soak the endoscope and reusable valves in 0.23% peroxyacetic acid (confirm the
concentration of the disinfectant before use to make sure it will be effective);
(2) Connect the perfusion line of each channel of the endoscope, inject 0.23% pero-
xyacetic acid liquid into the line with a 50 mL syringe until fully filled, and wait for 5
minutes;
(3) Detach the perfusion line and wash each cavity and valve of the endoscope with a
disposable special cleaning brush;
(4) Put the valves into an ultrasonic oscillator containing enzyme to oscillate it.
Connect the perfusion line of each channel with the endoscope. Inject 0.23% pero-
xyacetic acid into the line with a 50 mL syringe and flush the line continuously for 5
minutes. Inject air to dry it for 1 minute;
(5) Inject clean water into the line with a 50 mL syringe and flush the line continuously
for 3 minutes. Inject air to dry it for 1 minute;
(6) Perform a leakage test on the endoscope;
(7) Put in an automatic endoscopic washing and disinfection machine. Set a high level
of disinfection for treatment;
(8) Send the devices to the disinfection supply center to undergo sterilization with
ethylene oxide.
Exposure of
Damaged Direct exposure
Intact skin mucous Sharp object
skin of respiratory
exposure membranes, injury
exposure tract
such as the eyes
Isolate and observe people with exposures other than intact skin exposure for 14 days. In case
of symptoms, report to the relevant departments in a timely manner
14 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
(1) Skin exposure: The skin is directly contaminated by a large amount of visible bodily
fluids, blood, secretions or fecal matter from the patient.
(2) Mucous membrane exposure: Mucous membranes, such as the eyes and respiratory
tract are directly contaminated by visible bodily fluids, blood, secretions or fecal matter
from the patient.
(3) Sharp object injury: Piercing of the body by sharp objects that were directly exposed to
the patient's bodily fluids, blood, secretions or fecal matter.
(4) Direct exposure of respiratory tract: Falling off of a mask, exposing the mouth or nose to
a confirmed patient (1 miter away) who is not wearing a mask.
9
9 Procedures for Handling Bodies of Deceased Suspected or
Confirmed Patients
(1) Staff PPE: The staff must make sure they are fully protected by wearing work
clothes, disposable surgical caps, disposable gloves and thick rubber gloves with
long sleeves, medical disposable protective clothing, medical protective masks
(N95) or powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs), protective face shields, work
shoes or rubber boots, waterproof boot covers, waterproof aprons or waterproof
isolation gowns, etc.
(2) Corpse care: Fill all openings or wounds the patient may have, such as mouth,
nose, ears, anus and tracheotomy openings, by using cotton balls or gauze dipped
in 3000-5000 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant or 0.5% peroxyacetic acid.
(3) Wrapping: Wrap the corpse with a double-layer cloth sheet soaked with disinfec-
tant, and pack it into a double-layer, sealed, leak-proof corpse wrapping sheet
soaked with chlorine containing disinfectant.
(4) The body shall be transferred by the staff in the isolation ward of the hospital via
the contaminated area to the special elevator, out of the ward and then directly
transported to a specified location for cremation by a special vehicle as soon as
possible.
(5) Final disinfection: Perform final disinfection of the ward and the elevator.
16 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Reduce the Risk of Cross Infection when Patients Seek Medical Care
(1) Guide the public to get access to non-emergency services such as chronic diseases
treatment online so as to decrease the number of visitors in healthcare facilities. Doing so
minimizes the risk of cross infection.
(2) Patients who must visit healthcare facilities should make an appointment through other
means, including Internet portals, which provides necessary guidance in transportation,
parking, arrival time, protective measures, triage information, indoor navigation, etc. Collect
comprehensive information online by patients in advance to improve the efficiency of
diagnosis and treatment and limit the duration of the patient’s visit.
(3) Encourage patients to take full advantage of digital self-service devices to avoid contact
with others so as to lower the risk of cross infections.
(1) Collect shared knowledge and experience of experts through remote consultation and
multidiscipline team (MDT) to offer the optimum therapeutics for difficult and complicated
cases.
(2) Take mobile and remote rounds to lower unnecessary exposure risks and work intensity
of medical personnel while saving protective supplies.
(3) Access the patients’ latest health conditions electronically through health QR codes
(note: everyone is required to obtain a GREEN code through the health QR system to travel
around the city) and online epidemiological questionnaires in advance to provide triage
guidance to the patients, especially those with fever or suspected cases, while effectively
preventing the risk of infection.
(4) Electronic health records of patients in fever clinics and the CT imaging AI system for
COVID-19 can help reduce the work intensity, quickly identify highly-suspected cases and
avoid missed diagnoses.
(1) Basic digital resources required by a cloud-based hospital system allows for immediate
usage of the information systems needed for emergency response to the epidemic, such as
the digital systems equipped for newly established fever clinics, fever observation rooms
and isolation wards.
(2) Utilize the hospital information system based on the Internet infrastructure frame to
conduct online training for healthcare workers and one-click deployment system, and to
facilitate the operation and support engineers to perform remote maintenance and new
functions update for medical care.
17 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Since the outbreak of COVID 19, FAHZU Internet+ Hospital quickly shifted to offer online
healthcare through Zhejiang’s Online Medical Platform with 24-hour free online consul-
tation, providing telemedicine service to patients in China and even around the world.
Patients are provided access to the first-rate medical services of FAHZU at home, which
reduces the chances of transmission and cross infection as a result of their visits to the
hospital. As of March 14, over 10,000 people have used the FAHZU Internet+ Hospital
online service.
Due to the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang
University School of Medicine (FAHZU) and Alibaba jointly established the International
Medical Expert Communication Platform of FAHZU with an aim to improve the quality of
care and treatment and promote the sharing of global information resource. The
platform allows medical experts all over the world to connect and share their invaluable
experience in the fight against COVID-19 through instant messaging with real-time
translation, remote video conferencing, etc.
Part Two
Diagnosis and Treatment
FAHZU is a designated hospital for COVID-19 patients, especially severe and critically ill individuals
whose condition changes rapidly, often with multiple organs infected and requiring the support
from the multidisciplinary team (MDT). Since the outbreak, FAHZU established an expert team
composed of doctors from the Departments of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine, ICU,
Laboratory Medicine, Radiology, Ultrasound, Pharmacy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Psychology,
Respiratory Therapy, Rehabilitation, Nutrition, Nursing, etc. A comprehensive multidisciplinary
diagnosis and treatment mechanism has been established in which doctors both inside and outside
the isolation wards can discuss patients’ conditions every day via video conference. This allows for
them to determine scientific, integrated and customized treatment strategies for every severe and
critically ill patient.
Sound decision-making is the key to MDT discussion. During the discussion, experts from different
departments focus on issues from their specialized fields as well as critical issues to diagnoses and
treatment. The final treatment solution is determined by experienced experts through various
discussions of different opinions and advice.
Systematic analysis is at the core of MDT discussion. Elderly patients with underlying health
conditions are prone to becoming critically ill. While closely monitoring the progression of COVID-19,
the patient's basic status, complications and daily examination results should be analyzed
comprehensively to see how the disease will progress. It is necessary to intervene in advance to stop
the disease from deteriorating and to take proactive measures such as antivirals, oxygen therapy,
and nutritional support.
19 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
The goal of MDT discussion is to achieve personalized treatment. The treatment plan should be
adjusted to each person when considering the differences among individuals, courses of disease,
and patient types.
Our experience is that MDT collaboration can greatly improve the effectiveness of the diagnosis and
treatment of COVID-19.
1
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid
1.1 Specimen Collection
Appropriate specimens, collection methodds and collection timing are important to
improve detection sensitivity. Specimen types include: upper airway specimens
(pharyngeal swabs, nasal swabs, nasopharyngeal secretions), lower airway specimens
(sputum, airway secretions, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid), blood, feces, urine and
conjunctival secretions. Sputum and other lower respiratory tract specimens have a
high positive rate of nucleic acids and should be collected preferentially. SARS-CoV-2
preferentially proliferates in type II alveolar cells (AT2) and peak of viral shedding
appears 3 to 5 days after the onset of disease. Therefore, if the nucleic acid test is
negative at the beginning, samples should continue to be collected and tested on
subsequent days.
6 Laboratory Safety
Biosafety protective measures should be determined based on different risk levels of
experimental process. Personal protection should be taken in accordance with BSL-3
laboratory protection requirements for respiratory tract specimen collection, nucleic
acid detection and virus culture operations. Personal protection in accordance with
BSL-2 laboratory protection requirement should be carried out for biochemical,
immunological tests and other routine laboratory tests. Specimens should be
transported in special transport tanks and boxes that meet biosafety requirements. All
laboratory waste should be strictly autoclaved.
21 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Flexible bronchoscopy is versatile, easy to use, and well tolerated in mechanically ventilated
COVID-19 patients. Its applications include:
(1) Collection of respiratory specimens from the lower respiratory tract (i.e. sputum,
endotracheal aspirate, bronchoalveolar lavage) for SARS-CoV-2 or other pathogens guides
the selection of appropriate antimicrobials, which may lead to clinical benefits. Our experi-
ence indicates that lower respiratory specimens are more likely to be positive for SAR-CoV-2
than upper respiratory specimens.
(2) Can be used for localization of the site of bleeding, cessation of hemoptysis, sputum or
blood clots removal; if the site of bleeding is identified by bronchoscopy, local injection of
cold saline, epinephrine, vasopressin, or fibrin as well as laser treatment can be performed
via the bronchoscope.
(3) Assist in the establishment of artificial airways; guide tracheal intubation or percutane-
ous tracheotomy.
(4) Drugs such as infusion of α-interferon and N-acetylcysteine can be administrated via the
bronchoscope.
Bronchoscopic views of extensive bronchial mucosal hyperemia, swelling, mucus-like
secretions in the lumen and jelly-like sputum blocking the airway in critically ill patients.
(Figure 7).
Early diagnosis, treatment and isolation should be carried out whenever possible. Dynamic
monitoring of lung imaging, oxygenation index and cytokine levels are helpful for early
identification of patients who may develop into severe and critical cases. A positive result of
the nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 is the gold standard for the diagnosis of COVID-19. However,
considering the possibility of false negatives in nucleic acid detection, suspected cases
characteristic manifestations in CT scans can be treated as confirmed cases even if the nucleic
acid test is negative. Isolation and continuous tests of multiple specimens should be carried
out in such cases.
23 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
The diagnostic criteria follow Protocols for the Diagnosis and Treatment of COVID-2019. A
confirmed case is based on epidemiological history (including cluster transmission), clinical
manifestations (fever and respiratory symptoms), lung imaging, and results of SARS-CoV-2
nucleic acid detection and serum-specific antibodies.
Clinical Classifications:
1 Mild Cases
The clinical symptoms are mild and no pneumonia manifestations can be found in
imaging.
2 Moderate Cases
Patients have symptoms such as fever and respiratory tract symptoms, etc. and
pneumonia manifestations can be seen in imaging.
3 Severe Cases
Adults who meet any of the following criteria: respiratory rate ≥ 30 breaths/min;
oxygen saturation ≤ 93% at a rest state; arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/oxy-
gen concentration (FiO2) ≤ 300 mmHg. Patients with > 50% lesions progression within 24
to 48 hours in lung imaging should be treated as severe cases.
4 Critical Cases
Meeting any of the following criteria: occurrence of respiratory failure requiring
mechanical ventilation; presence of shock; other organ failure that requires monitoring
and treatment in the ICU.
Critical cases are further divided into early, middle and late stages according to the
oxygenation index and compliance of respiratory system.
● Early stage: 100 mmHg <oxygenation index ≤150 mmHg; compliance of respiratory
system ≥30 mL / cmH2O; without organ failure other than the lungs. The patient has a
great chance of recovery through active antiviral, anti-cytokine storm, and supportive
treatment.
● Middle stage: 60 mmHg < oxygenation index ≤100 mmHg; 30 mL/cmH2O >
compliance of respiratory system ≥15 mL/cmH2O; may be complicated by other mild or
moderate dysfunction of other organs.
An early antiviral treatment can reduce the incidence of severe and critical cases. Although
there is no clinical evidence for effective antiviral drugs, currently the antiviral strategies based
on the characteristics of SAR-CoV-2 are adopted according to Protocols for Diagnosis and
Treatment of COVID-19: Prevention, Control, Diagnosis and Management.
24 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
1 Antiviral Treatment
At FAHZU, lopinavir/ritonavir (2 capsules, po q12h) combined with arbidol (200 mg po
q12h) were applied as the basic regimen. From the treatment experience of 49 patients
in our hospital, the average time to achieve negative viral nucleic acid test for the first
time was 12 days (95% CI: 8-15 days). The duration of negative nucleic acid test result
(negative for more than 2 times consecutively with interval ≥ 24h) was 13.5 days (95% CI:
9.5 - 17.5 days).
If the basic regimen is not effective, chloroquine phosphate can be used on adults
between 18-65 years old (weight ≥ 50 kg: 500 mg bid; weight ≤50 kg: 500 mg bid for first
two days, 500 mg qd for following five days).
Interferon nebulization is recommended in Protocols for Diagnosis and Treatment of
COVID-19. We recommend that it should be performed in negative-pressure wards
rather than general wards due to the possibility of aerosol transmission.
Darunavir/cobicistat has some degree of antiviral activity in viral suppression test in
vitro, based on the treatment experience of AIDS patients, and the adverse events are
relatively mild. For patients who are intolerant to lopinavir/ritonavir, darunavir/ cobici-
stat (1 tablet qd) or favipiravir (starting dose of 1600 mg followed by 600 mg tid) is an
alternative option after the ethical review. Simultaneous use of three or more antiviral
drugs is not recommended.
2 Course of Treatment
Thetreatment
The treatment course
course of chloroquine
of chloroquine phosphate
phosphate should beshould
no morebe no7 more
than days. than 7 days. The
treatment
The course
treatment courseof
ofother regimenshas
other regimens hasnotnot been
been determined
determined and areand are usually around 2
usually
weeks.2 Antiviral
around drugsdrugs
weeks. Antiviral should bebestopped
should stopped ififnucleic
nucleicacidacid test results
test results from from sputum
specimens
sputum remain
specimens negative
remain for for
negative more than
more than33times.
times.
2.2 Contraindications
There is no absolute contraindication in the treatment of critically ill patients. However,
ALSS should be avoided in the following situations:
① Severe bleeding disease or disseminated intravascular coagulation;
② Those who are highly allergic to blood components or drugs used in the treatment
process such as plasma, heparin and protamine;
③ Acute cerebrovascular diseases or severe head injury;
④ Chronic cardiac failure, cardiac functional classification ≥ grade III;
⑤ Uncontrolled hypotension and shock;
⑥ Severe arrhythmia.
Plasma exchange combined with plasma adsorption or dual plasma molecular
adsorption, perfusion, and filtration is recommended according to the patients’
situation. 2000 mL of plasma should be exchanged when ALSS is performed. Detailed
operating procedures can be found in the Expert Consensus on the Application of
Artificial Liver Blood Purification System in the Treatment of Severe and Critical Novel
Coronavirus Pneumonia.
ALSS significantly reduces the time that critically ill patients stay in the ICU in our
hospital. Typically, the levels of serum cytokines such as IL-2/IL-4/IL-6/TNF-α are
remarkably decreased, and oxygen saturation is significantly improved after ALSS.
② Lung Recruitment
Most critically ill patients with COVID-19 respond well to prone ventilation, with a rapid
improvement of oxygenation and lung mechanics. Prone ventilation is recommended as
a routine strategy for patients with PaO2/FiO2 < 150 mmHg or with obvious imaging
manifestations without contraindications. Time course recommended for prone
ventilation is more than 16 hours each time. The prone ventilation can be ceased once
PaO2/FiO2 is greater than 150 mmHg for more than 4 hours in the supine position.
Prone ventilation while awake may be attempted for patients who have not been
intubated or have no obvious respiratory distress but with impaired oxygenation or have
consolidation in gravity-dependent lung zones on lung images. Procedures for at least 4
hours each time is recommended. Prone position can be considered several times per
day depending on the effects and tolerance.
② Use a endotracheal tube with subglottic suction (once every 2 hours, aspirated with 20
mL empty syringe each time);
③ Place the endotracheal tube at the right position and correct depth, fix properly and
avoid pulling;
29 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
④ Maintain the airbag pressure at 30 - 35 cmH2O (1 cmH2O = 0.098 kPa) and monitor
every 4 hours;
⑤ Monitor the airbag pressure and deal with water condensates when the position
changes (two people cooperate in dumping and pouring the water condensates into a
capped container containing a pre-made disinfectant chlorine solution); deal with
secretions accumulated in the airbag;
Sedatives is reduced and discontinued before awakening when the patient’s PaO2/FiO2 is
more than 150 mmHg. Intubation withdrawal should be performed as earlier as possible
if permitted. HFNC or NIV is used for sequential respiratory support after withdrawal.
COVID-19 is a disease of viral infection, therefore antibiotics are not recommended to prevent
bacterial infection in mild or ordinary patients; it should be used carefully in severe patients
based on their conditions. Antibiotics can be used with discretion in patients who have the
following conditions: extensive lung lesions; excess bronchial secretions; chronic airway
diseases with a history of pathogen colonization in the lower respiratory tract; taking
glucocorticoids with a dosage ≥ 20 mg × 7d (in terms of prednisone). The options of antibiotics
30 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Some COVID-19 patients have gastrointestinal symptoms (such as abdominal pain and
diarrhea) due to direct viral infection of the intestinal mucosa or antiviral and anti-infective
drugs. There has been report that the intestinal microecological balance is broken in
COVID-19 patients, manifesting a significant reduction of the intestinal probiotics such as
lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. Intestinal microecological imbalance may lead to
bacterial translocation and secondary infection, so it is important to maintain the balance of
intestinal microecology by microecological modulator and nutritional support.
31 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
1 Microecologics Intervention
(1) Microecologics can reduce bacterial translocation and secondary infection. It can
increase dominant gut bacteria, inhibit intestinal harmful bacteria, reduce toxin
production and reduce infection caused by gut microflora dysbiosis.
(2) Microecologics can improve the gastrointestinal symptoms of patients. It can reduce
water in feces, improve fecal character and defecation frequency, and reduce diarrhea
by inhibiting intestinal mucosal atrophy.
(3) The hospital with relevant resources can perform intestinal flora analysis. Therefore,
the intestinal flora disturbance can be discovered early according to the results.
Antibiotics can be adjusted timely and probiotics can be prescribed. These can reduce
the chances of intestinal bacterial translocation and gut-derived infection.
(4) Nutrition support is an important means to maintain intestinal microecological
balance.Intestinal nutrition support should be applied timely on the basis of effective
evaluations of nutritional risks, gastroenteric functions, and aspiration risks.
2 Nutrition Support
The severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients who are in a state of severe stress are at
high nutritional risks. Early evaluations of nutrition risk, gastrointestinal functions and
aspiration risks, and timely enteral nutritional support are important to the patient’s
prognosis.
(1) Oral feeding is preferred. The early intestinal nutrition can provide nutritional
support, nourish intestines, improve intestinal mucosal barrier and intestinal immunity,
and maintain intestinal microecology.
(2) Enteral nutrition pathway. Severe and critically ill patients often harbor acute
gastrointestinal damages, manifested as abdominal distension, diarrhea, and
gastroparesis. For patients with tracheal intubation, intestinal nutrition tube indwelling
is recommended for post-pyloric feeding.
(3) Selection of nutrient solution. For patients with intestinal damage, predigested
short peptide preparations, which are easy for intestinal absorption and utilization, are
recommended. For patients with good intestinal functions, whole-protein preparations
with relatively high calories can be selected. For hyperglycemia patients, nutritional
preparations which are beneficial to glycemic controlling are recommended.
(4) Energy supply. 25-30 kcal per kg body weight, the target protein content is 1.2-2.0
g/kg daily.
(5) Means of nutritional supply. Pump infusion of nutrients can be used at a uniform
speed, starting with a low dosage and gradually increasing. When possible, the
nutrients can be heated before feeding to reduce intolerance.
(6) The elderly patients who are at high aspiration risks or patients with apparent
abdominal distention can be supported by parenteral nutrition temporarily. It can be
gradually replaced by independent diet or enteral nutrition after their condition
improves.
32 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
COVID-19 is a novel, highly infectious disease primarily targeting pulmonary alveoli, which
damages primarily the lungs of critically ill patients and leads to severe respiratory failure.
For the application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in COVID-19 treatment,
medical professionals need to pay close attention to the following: the time and means of
intervention, anticoagulant and bleeding, coordination with mechanical ventilation, awake
ECMO and the early rehabilitation training, strategy of handling for complications.
2 Cathetering Methods
Because the ECMO supporting time for most COVID-19 patients is greater than 7 days,
the seldinger method should be used as much as possible for the ultrasound guided
peripheral catheter insertion, which reduces the bleeding damages and infection risks
brought about by intravascular cathterization by venous angiotomy, especially for the
early awake ECMO patients. Intravascular catheterization by venous angiotomy may be
considered only for the patients with bad blood vessel conditions, or the patients
whose catheterization cannot be identified and selected by ultrasound, or the patients
whose seldinger technique failed.
3 Mode Selection
(1) The first choice for the patients of respiratory impairment is the V-V mode. The V-A
mode should not be the first option just because of the possible circulation problems.
(2) For the respiratory failure patients complicated with cardiac impairment, PaO2/FiO2
< 100 mmHg, the V-A-V mode ought to be selected with the total flux > 6 L/min and V/A
= 0.5/0.5 is maintained by current limiting.
(3) For the COVID-19 patients without severe respiratory failure but complicated with
serious cardiovascular outcomes leading to cardiogenic shock, the V-A assisted by
ECMO mode ought to be selected. But IPPV support is still needed and the awake ECMO
should be avoided.the awake ECMO should be avoided.
5 Ventilation Setting
Normal ventilation maintenance by adjusting the sweep gas level:
(1) The initial air flow is set to be Flow: sweep gas = 1:1. The basic target is to maintain
PaCO2 < 45mmHg. For the patients complicated with COPD, PaCO2 < 80% basal level.
(2) The patient’s spontaneous respiratory strength and respiratory rate (RR) should be
maintained, with 10 < RR < 20 and without chief complaint of breathing difficulty from
the patient.
(3) The sweep gas setup of the V-A mode needs to ensure the 7.35-7.45 PH value of the
bloodstream out of the oxygenator membrane.
(4) Heparin-free operation may be performed in the following circumstances: the ECMO
support must continue but there is fatal bleeding or active bleeding that has to be
controlled; whole heparin coated loop and catheterization with blood flow > 3 L/min.
The recommend operation time < 24 hour. Replacement devices and consumables need
to be prepared.
(5) Heparin resistance. Under some conditions of heparin usage, aPTT is not able to
reach the standard and blood coagulation happens. In this case, the activity of plasma
antithrombin III (ATIII) needs to be monitored. If the activity reduces, fresh frozen
plasma needs to be supplemented to restore heparin sensitivity.
(6) Heparin induced thrombopenia (HIT). When HIT happens, we recommend to perform
plasma exchange therapy, or to replace heparin with argatroban.
Since Behring and Kitasato reported the therapeutic effects of diphtheria antitoxin plasma in
1891, plasma therapy has become an important means of pathogen immunotherapy for acute
infectious diseases. The disease progression is rapid for severe and critically ill patients of an
emerging infectious disease. In the early phase, the pathogens damage the target organs
directly and then lead to severe immuno-pathological damage. The passive immune
antibodies can effectively and directly neutralize the pathogens, which reduces the damage
of the target organs and then block the subsequent immune-pathological damages. During
multiple global pandemic outbreaks, WHO also emphasized that “convalescent plasma the rapy
is one of the most recommended potential therapies, and it has been used during other
epidemic outbreaks”. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the initial mortality rate was rather
high due to the lack of specific and effective treatments. As mortality rate is an important
metric that the public concerns, clinic treatments which can reduce the fatality rate of critical
cases effectively are key to avoid public panic. As a provincial-level hospital in Zhejiang
province, we have been responsible to treat the patients from Hangzhou and the critically ill
patients of the province. There are abundant potential convalescent plasma donors and
critically ill patients who need convalescent plasma treatment in our hospital.
1 Plasma collection
In addition to the common requirements of blood donation and procedures, the following details
should be noted.
36 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
1.1 Donors
At least two weeks after recovery and being discharged (the nucleic acid test of the sample taken from
the lower respiratory tract remains negative≥14 days). 18 ≤ Age ≤ 55. The body weight>50 kg (for
male) or >45 kg (for female). At least one week since last glucocorticoid usage. More than two weeks
since last blood donation.
(2) 160-fold dilution for the qualitative test of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgM detection; or 320-fold
dilution for the qualitative test of whole antibody detection. If possible, keep > 3 mL plasma for the
viral neutralization experiments.
The following should be noted. During the comparison of virus neutralization titer and luminescent
IgG antibody quantitative detection, we found that the present SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibody
detection does not fully demonstrate the actual virus neutralization capability of the plasma.
Therefore, we suggested the virus neutralization test as the first choice, or test the overall antibody
level with the 320-fold dilution of the plasma.
(2) The COVID-19 patients who are not severe or critically ill, but in a state of immunity suppression;
or have low CT values in the virus nucleic acid testing but with a rapid disease progression in the lungs.
Note: In principle, the convalescent plasma should not be used on COVID-19 patients with disease
course exceeding three weeks. But in clinical applications, we found that the convalescent plasma
therapy is effective for patients with a disease course exceeding three weeks and whose virus nucleic
acid tests continuously to show positive from respiratory tracts specimen. It can speed up virus
clearance, increase the numbers of the plasma lymphocytes and NK cells, reduce the level of plasma
lactic acid, and improve renal functions.
2.2 Contraindication
(1) Allergy history of plasma, sodium citrate and methylene blue;
(2) For patients with history of autoimmune system diseases or selective IgA deficiency,
the application of convalescent plasma should be evaluated cautiously by clinicians.
2.3 Infusion plan In general, the dosage of convalescent plasma therapy is ≥400 mL for
one infusion, or ≥ 200 mL per infusion for multiple infusions.
stage, the disease has two main types: “wet lungs” and “external cold and internal
heat.” The middle stage is characterized by “intermittent cold and heat.” The critical
stage is characterized by “internal block of epidemic toxin.” The recovery stage is
characterized by “qi deficiency in lung-spleen.” The disease initially belongs to wet
lung syndrome. Due to fever, both intermittent cold and heat treatments are
recommended. In the middle stage, cold, dampness, and heat coexist, belonging to
“cold-heat mixture” in terms of TCM. Both cold and heat therapy should be
considered. According to the theory of TCM, heat should be treated with cold drugs. But
cold drugs impair Yang and lead to a cold spleen and stomach and cold-heat mixture in
the middle-Jiao. Therefore, in this stage both cold and heat therapies should be
considered. Because cold-heat symptoms are commonly seen in COVID-19 patients, the
cold-heat therapy is better than other approaches.
COVID-19 patients are often complicated with underlying diseases receiving multiple types of
drugs. Therefore, we should pay more attention to the adverse drug reactions and drug
interactions so as to avoid drug-induced organ damage and improve the success rate of
treatment.
38 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Table 1 The range of concentrations and points for attention of the common
TDM drugs for the COVID-19 patients
The trough
concentration
correlates with the
failure rate of
10~20 mg/L (15~20 anti-infective therapy
30 min before the drug and renal toxicity.
vancomycin mg/L for the severe
administration When the
MRSA infection)
concentration is
overly high,
reduction of drug
frequency or single
dose is required.
The trough
concentration
correlates with
30 min before the drug myelosuppression
linezolid administration 2~7 μg/mL adverse reactions.
The blood routine
test needs to be
closely monitored.
The trough
concentration
correlates with the
30 min before the drug therapeutic
voriconazol administration 1~5.5 μg/mL efficacy and
adverse reactions
such as impaired
liver function.
40 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Table 2 Interactions between antiviral drugs and common drugs for underlying
Contraindication in
Drug names Potential interactions
combined medication
Severe and critically ill patients suffer from different degrees of dysfunction, especially
respiratory insufficiency, dyskinesia and cognitive impairment, during both acute and
recovery stages.
Lung transplantation is an effective treatment approach for final-stage chronic lung diseases.
However, it is rarely reported that lung transplantation has been performed to treating acute
infectious lung diseases. Based on current clinical practice and results, FAHZU summarized
this chapter as a reference for medical workers. In general, following the principles of
exploration, doing the best to save life, highly selective and high protection, if lung lesions
are not significantly improved after adequate and reasonable medical treatment, and the
patient is in critical condition, lung transplantation could be considered with other
evaluations.
1 Pre-transplantation assessment
(1) Age: It is recommended that the recipients are not older than 70. Patients over 70
years old are subject to careful evaluation of other organ functions and postoperative
recovery capability.
(2) The course of the disease: There is no direct correlation between the length of the
disease course and the severity of the disease. However, for patients with short disease
courses (fewer than 4-6 weeks), a full medical assessment is recommended to evaluate
whether adequate medication, ventilator assistance, and ECMO support have been
provided.
(3) Lung function status: Based on the parameters collected from lung CT, ventilator,
and ECMO, it is necessary to evaluate whether there is any chance of recovery.
(4) Functional assessment of other major organs: a. Evaluation of the consciousness
status of patients in critical condition using brain CT scan and electroencephalography
is crucial, as most of them would have been sedated for an extended period; b. Cardiac
assessments, including electrocardiogram and echocardiography that focus on right
heart size, pulmonary artery pressure and left heart function, are highly
recommended; c. The levels of serum creatinine and bilirubin should also be
monitored; for patients with liver failure and renal failure, they should not be subjected
to lung transplantation until the functions of the liver and kidney are recovered.
(5) The nucleic acid test of COVID-19: The patient should be tested negative for at least
two consecutive nucleic acid tests with a time interval longer than 24 hours. Given the
increased incidents of COVID-19 test result returning from negative to positive after
treatment, it is recommended to revise the standard to three consecutive negative
results. Ideally, negative results should be observed in all body fluid samples, including
blood, sputum, nasopharynx, broncho-alveolar lavage, urine, and feces. Considering
the difficulty in operation, however, at least the testing of sputum and broncho-alveolar
lavage samples should be negative.
(6) Assessment of infection status: With the extended in-patient treatment, some
COVID-19 patients may have multiple bacterial infections, and thus a full medical
assessment is recommended to evaluate the situation of infection control, especially
for multidrug-resistant bacterial infection. Moreover, post-procedure antibacterial
treatment plans should be formed to estimate the risk of post-procedure infections.
(7) The preoperative medical assessment process for lung transplantation in COVID-19
patients: a treatment plan proposed by the ICU team → multidisciplinary discussion →
comprehensive medical evaluation → analysis and treatment of relative
contraindications → pre-habilitation before lung transplantation.
45 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
2 Contraindications
Please refer to The 2014 ISHLT Consensus: A consensus document for the selection of
lung transplantation candidates issued by the International Society for Heart and Lung
Transplantation (updated in 2014).
1 Discharge standards
(1) Body temperature remains normal for at least 3 days (ear temperature is lower than 37.5 ℃);
(2) Respiratory symptoms are significantly improved;
(3) The nucleic acid is tested negative for respiratory tract pathogen twice consecutively (sampling
interval more than 24 hours); the nucleic acid test of stool samples can be performed at the same time
if possible;
3 Home isolation
Patients must continue two weeks of isolation after discharge. Recommended home
isolation conditions are:
① Independent living area with frequent ventilation and disinfection;
② Avoid contacting with infants, the elderly and people with weak immune functions at
home;
③ Patients and their family members must wear masks and wash hands frequently;
④ Body temperature are taken twice a day (in the morning and evening) and pay close
attention to any changes in the patient’s condition.
4 Follow-up
A specialized doctor should be arranged for each discharged patient’s follow-ups. The
first follow-up call should be made within 48 hours after discharge. The outpatient
follow-up will be carried out 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month after discharge.
Examinations include liver and kidney functions, blood test, nucleic acid test of sputum
and stool samples, and pulmonary function test or lung CT scan should be reviewed
according to the patient’s condition. Follow-up phone calls should be made 3 and 6
months after discharge.
46 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Assessing
Provide detailed information of the HFNC oxygen therapy to get the patient’s cooperation
before implementation. Use low dose sedative with close monitoring if necessary. Choose a
proper nasal catheter based on the diameter of the patient's nasal cavity. Adjust the head
strap tightness and use decompression plaster to prevent device-related pressure injuries
on the facial skin. Maintain the water level in the humidifier chamber. Titrate the flow rate,
the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), and the water temperature based on the patient’s
respiratory demands and tolerance.
Monitoring
Report to the attending physician to seek medical decision of replacing HFNC by mechani-
cal ventilation if any of the followings occur: hemodynamic instability, respiratory distress
evidenced by obvious contraction of accessory muscles, hypoxemia persists despite
oxygen therapy, deterioration of consciousness, the respiratory rate > 40 breaths per
minute continuously, significant amount of sputum.
Treatment of Secretions
Patients’ drool, snot, and sputum should be wiped with tissue paper, be disposed in a
sealed container with chlorine-containing disinfectant (2500 mg/L). Alternatively,
secretions can be removed by oral mucus extractor or suctioning tube and be disposed in
a sputum collector with chlorine-containing disinfectant (2500 mg/L).
Intubation Procedures
The number of the medical staff should be limited to the minimum number that can ensure
the patient’s safety. Wear powered air-purifying respirator as PPE. Before intubation,
perform administration of sufficient analgesia and sedative, and use muscle relaxant if
necessary. Closely monitor the hemodynamic response during intubation. Reduce
movement of staff in the ward, continuous purify and disinfect the room with plasma air
purification technology for 30 min after completion of intubation.
48 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Determine the target pain management goal every day. Assess pain with every 4 hours
(Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool, CPOT), measure sedation with every 2 hours
(RASS/BISS). Titrate the infusion rate of analgesics and sedatives to achieve pain
management goals. For the known painful procedures, preemptive analgesia is admin-
istered. Perform CAM-ICU delirium screening in every shift to ensure an early diagnosis
of COVID-19 patients. Apply centralization strategy for delirium prevention, including
pain relief, sedation, communication, quality sleep, and early mobilization are used.
The ventilator bundle is used to reduce VAP, which includes hand washing; raising the tilt
angle of the patient's bed by 30-45° if no contradiction is presented; oral care every 4 to
6 hours by using a disposable oral mucus extractor; maintain endotracheal tube (ETT)
cuff pressure at 30-35 cmH2O every 4 hours; enteral nutrition support and monitor
gastric residual volume every 4 hours; evaluating daily for ventilator removal; using
washable tracheal tubes for continuous subglottic suctioning combined with 10 mL
syringe suctioning every 1 to 2 hours, and adjusting the suctioning frequency according
to the actual amount of secretions. Dispose retentate below the glottis: the syringe
containing the subglottic secretions is immediately used to aspirate an appropriate
amount of chlorine-containing disinfectant (2500 mg/L), then be re-capped and
disposed of in a sharp container.
Sputum Suction
(1) Use a closed sputum suction system, including closed suction catheter and closed
disposable collection bag, to reduce the formation of aerosol and droplets.
(2) Collection of sputum specimen: use a closed suction catheter and a matching
collection bag to reduce exposure to droplets.
Use disposable ventilator tubing with dual-loop heating wire and automatic humidifier
to reduce the formation of condensation. Two nurses should cooperate to dump the
condensation promptly into a capped container with chlorine-containing disinfectant
(2500 mg/L). The container can then be directly put in a washing machine, which can be
heated up to 90 °C, for automatic cleaning and disinfection.
Before changing the position, secure the position of tubing and check all the joints to
reduce the risk of disconnection. Change the patient’s position every 2 hours .
49 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
ECMO equipment should be managed by ECMO perfusionists and the following items
should be checked and recorded every hour: Pump flow rate/rotation speed; blood flow;
oxygen flow; oxygen concentration; ensuring that the temperature controller is flowing;
temperature setting and actual temperature; preventing clots in circuit; no pressure to the
cannulae and the circuit tubing is not kinked, or no “shaking” of ECMO tubes; patient's
urine color with special attention to red or dark brown urine; pre & post membrane pressure
as required by the doctor.
The following items during every shift should be monitored and recorded: Check the
depth and fixation of cannula to ensure that the ECMO circuit interfaces are firm, the water
level line of the temperature controller, the power supply of the machine and the connec-
tion of the oxygen, the cannula site for any bleeding and swelling; measure leg circumfer-
ence and observe whether the lower limb on the operation side is swollen; observe lower
limbs, such as dorsalis pedis artery pulse, skin temperature, color, etc.
Closely observe the vital signs of patients, maintain MAP between 60-65 mmHg,
CVP < 8 mmHg, SpO2 > 90%, and monitor the status of urine volume and blood electrolytes.
Transfuse through the post membrane, avoiding infusion of fat emulsion and propofol.
According to the monitoring records, evaluate the ECMO oxygenator function during
every shift.
50 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
ALSS nursing care is mainly divided into two different periods: nursing care during treatment and
intermittent care. Nursing staff should closely observe the conditions of patients, standardize the
operating procedures, focus on key points and deal with complications timely in order to success-
fully complete ALSS treatment.
It refers to nursing during each stage of ALSS treatment. The overall operation process can be
summarized as follows: operator’s own preparation, patient evaluation, installation,
pre-flushing, running, parameter adjustment, weaning and recording. The following are the
key points of nursing care during each stage:
(1) Operator's own preparation
Fully adhere to Level Ⅲ or even more strict protective measures.
(2) Patient assessment
Assess the patient's basic conditions, especially allergy history, blood glucose, coagulation
function, oxygen therapy, sedation (for sober patients, pay attention to their psychological
state) and catheter function status.
(3) Installation and pre-flushing
Use consumables with closed-loop management while avoiding the exposure to patient's
blood and body fluids. The corresponding instruments, pipelines and other consumables
should be selected according to the planned treatment mode. All basic functions and
characteristics of the consumables should be familiarized.
(4) Running
It is recommended that the initial blood draw speed is ≤ 35 mL/min to avoid low blood
pressure which might be caused by high speed. Vital signs should be monitored as well.
(5) Parameter Adjustment
When the patient's extracorporeal circulation is stable, all treatment parameters and alarm
parameters should be adjusted according to the treatment mode. A sufficient amount of
anticoagulant is recommended in the early stage and the anticoagulant dose should be
adjusted during the maintenance period according to different treatment pressure.
(6) Weaning
Adopt "liquid gravity combined recovery method"; the recovery speed ≤ 35 mL/min; after
weaning, medical waste should be treated in accordance to the SARS-Cov-2 infection
prevention and control requirements and the treatment room and instruments should be
cleaned and disinfected as well.
(7) Recording
Make accurate records of the patient's vital signs, medication and treatment parameters for
ALSS and take notes on special conditions.
51 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Intermittent Care
Preparation for patient: establish effective vascular access. Generally, central vein catheterization
is performed for CRRT, with the internal jugular vein preferred. A CRRT device can be integrated
into the ECMO circuit if the two are applied at the same time. Prepare equipment, consumables,
and ultrafiltration medication before CRRT.
In-treatment Care
Postoperative Care
(1) Monitor blood routine, liver and kidney function and coagulation function.
(2) Wipe the CRRT machine every 24 hours if continuous treatment is applied. Consumables
and wasted liquid should be disposed in accordance with hospital requirements to avoid
nosocomial infection.
52 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Monitoring
Aspiration Prevention
(1) Gastric retention monitor: perform continuous post-pyloric feeding with a nutrition
pump to reduce gastroesophageal reflux. Evaluate gastric motility and gastric retention
with ultrasound if possible. Patient with normal gastric emptying are not recommended for
routine assessment;
(2) Evaluate gastric retention every 4 hours. Re-infuse the aspirate if the gastric residual
volume is < 100 mL; otherwise, report to the attending physician;
(3) Aspiration prevention during patient transportation: before transportation, stop nasal
feeding, aspirate the gastric residues and connect the gastric tube to a negative pressure
bag. During transportation, raise the patient’s head up to 30°;
(4) Aspiration prevention during HFNC: Check the humidifier every 4 hours to avoid
excessive or insufficient humidification. Remove any water accumulated in the tubing
promptly to prevent cough and aspiration caused by the accidental entry of condensation
into the airway. Keep the position of the nasal cannula higher than the machine and tubes.
Promptly remove condensation in the system.
Assess all patients upon admission and when their clinical conditions change with the VTE
risk assessment model to identify those who are at a high risk and implement preventive
strategies. Monitor coagulation function, D-dimer levels and VTE-related clinical manifes-
tations.
Assist eating for patients who are weak, short of breath or those with an obvious fluc-
tuating oxygenation index. Intensify oxygenation index monitoring on these patients
during meals. Provide enteral nutrition at early stages for those who are unable to eat by
mouth. During each shift, adjust the enteral nutrition rate and quantity according to the
tolerance of enteral nutrition.
53 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Appendix
I. Medical Advice Example for COVID-19 Patients
1.1 Ordinary
· Air isolation, blood oxygen saturation monitoring, oxygen therapy with nasal cannula
1.2 Examinations
· 2019 Novel Coronavirus RNA Detection (Three Sites) (Sputum) qd
· 2019 Novel Coronavirus RNA Detection (Three Sites) (Feces) qd
· Blood routine, biochemical profile, urine routine, stool routine + OB, coagulation function
+ D dimer, blood gas analysis + lactic acid, ASO + RF + CPR + CCP, ESR, PCT, ABO + RH blood
type, thyroid function, cardiac enzymes + quantitative assay of serum troponin, four routine
items, respiratory virus test, cytokines, G/GM test, angiotensin converting enzyme
· Liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen ultrasound, echocardiography and lung CT scan
1.3 Medication
· Arbidol tablets 200 mg po tid
· Lopinavir/Ritonavir 2 tablets po q12h
· Interferon spray 1 spray pr. tid
54 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
2.1 Ordinary
· Air isolation, blood oxygen saturation monitoring, oxygen therapy with nasal cannula
2.2 Examinations
· 2019 Novel Coronavirus RNA Detection (Three Sites) (Sputum) qd
· 2019 Novel Coronavirus RNA Detection (Three Sites) (Feces) qd
· Blood routine, biochemical profile, urine routine, stool routine + OB, coagulation function
+ D dimer, blood gas analysis + lactic acid, ASO + RF + CPR + CCP, ESR, PCT, ABO + RH blood
type, thyroid function, cardiac enzymes + quantitative assay of serum troponin, four
routine items, respiratory virus test, cytokines, G/GM test, angiotensin converting enzyme
· Liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen ultrasound, echocardiography and lung CT scan
2.3 Medication
· Arbidol tablets 200 mg po tid
· Lopinavir/Ritonavir 2 tablets po q12h
· Interferon spray 1 spray pr.nar tid
· NS 100 mL + Ambroxol 30mg ivgtt bid
55 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
3.1 Ordinary
· Air isolation, blood oxygen saturation monitoring, oxygen therapy with nasal cannula
3.2 Examinations
· 2019 Novel Coronavirus RNA Detection (Three Sites) (Sputum) qd
· 2019 Novel Coronavirus RNA Detection (Three Sites) (Feces) qd
· Blood routine, biochemical profile, urine routine, stool routine + OB, coagulation function
+ D dimer, blood gas analysis + lactic acid, ASO + RF + CPR + CCP, ESR, PCT, ABO + RH blood
type, thyroid function, cardiac enzymes + quantitative assay of serum troponin, four routine
items, respiratory virus test, cytokines, G/GM test, angiotensin converting enzyme
· Liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen ultrasound, echocardiography and lung CT scan
3.3 Medication
· Arbidol tablets 200 mg tid
· Lopinavir/Ritonavir 2 tablets po q12h
· Interferon spray 1 spray pr.nar tid
· NS 100 mL + methylprednisolone 40 mg ivgtt qd
· NS 100 mL + pantoprazole 40 mg ivgtt qd
· Caltrate 1 tablet qd
· Immunoglobulin 20 g ivgtt qd
· NS 100 mL + Ambroxol 30 mg ivgtt bid
56 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
4.1 Ordinary
Air isolation, blood oxygen saturation monitoring, oxygen therapy with nasal cannula
4.2 Examinations
· 2019 Novel Coronavirus RNA Detection (Three Sites) (Sputum) qd
· 2019 Novel Coronavirus RNA Detection (Three Sites) (Feces) qd
· Blood routine, ABO + RH blood type, urine routine, stool routine + OB, four routine items,
respiratory virus test, thyroid function, electrocardiogram, blood gas analysis + electrolyte
+ lactic acid + GS, G/GM test, blood culture ONCE
· Blood routine, biochemical profile, coagulation function + D dimer, blood gas analysis +
lactic acid, natriuretic peptide, cardiac enzyme, quantitative assay of serum troponin,
immunoglobulin + complement, cytokine, sputum culture, CRP, PCT qd
· Blood glucose measurement q6h
· Liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen ultrasound, echocardiography and lung CT scan
4.3 Medication
· Arbidol tablets 200 mg po. tid
· Lopinavir/Ritonavir 2 tablets q12h (or darunavir 1 tablet qd)
· NS 10 mL + methylprednisolone 40 mg iv q12h
· NS 100 mL + pantoprazole 40 mg ivgtt qd
· Immunoglobulin 20 g ivgtt qd
· Thymic peptides 1.6 mg ih biw
· NS 10 mL + Ambroxol 30 mg iv bid
· NS 50 mL + isoproterenol 2 mg iv-vp once
· Human serum albumin 10 g ivgtt qd
· NS100 mL + piperacillin/tazobactam 4.5 ivgtt q8h
· Enteral nutrition suspension (Peptisorb liquid) 500 mL nasogastric feeding bid
57 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Sign up for a DingTalk account with your name and phone number (not open to public).
Method 1: Select “Contacts” >“Join Team” > Method 2: Scan the QR code (Figure 2) of the International
“Join by Team Code” > Enter Input ID: ‘YQDK1170’. Medical Expert Exchange Platform of FAHZU.
Fill out your information to apply to join. Enter your name, country, and medical institution.
Editorial Board
Editor-in-chief: LIANG Tingbo
Members: CAI Hongliu, CHEN Yu, CHEN Zuobing, FANG Qiang, HAN Weili, HU Shaohua, LI
Jianping, LI Tong, LU Xiaoyang, QU Tingting, SHEN Yihong, SHENG Jifang, WANG Huafen,
WEI Guoqing, XU Kaijin, ZHAO Xuehong, ZHONG Zifeng, ZHOU Jianying
References
1. National Health Commission and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's
Republic of China. Protocols for Diagnosis and Treatment of COVID-19 (7th Trial Version) [EB/OL].(2020-03-04)
[2020-03-15].
2. National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. Protocols for Prevention and Control of COVID-19
3. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidelines for Epidemiological Investigation of COVID-19
http://www.chinacdc.cn/jkzt/crb/zl/szkb_11803/jszl_11815/202003/t20200309_214241.html
4. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidelines for Investigation and Management of Close
http://www.chinacdc.cn/jkzt/crb/zl/szkb_11803/jszl_11815/202003/t20200309_214241.html
5. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Technical Guidelines for COVID-19 Laboratory Testing
http://www.chinacdc.cn/jkzt/crb/zl/szkb_11803/jszl_11815/202003/t20200309_214241.html
6. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Technical Guidelines for Disinfection of Special Sites [EB/OL].
http://www.chinacdc.cn/jkzt/crb/zl/szkb_11803/jszl_11815/202003/t20200309_214241.html
7. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidelines for Personal Protection of Specific Groups [EB/OL].
http://www.chinacdc.cn/jkzt/crb/zl/szkb_11803/jszl_11815/202003/t20200309_214241.html
8. Technical Guidelines for Prevention and Control of COVID-19, Part3: Medical Institutions, Local Standards of
Zhejiang Province DB33/T 2241.3—2020. Hangzhou, 2020 (in Chinese)
9. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Distribution of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia [EB/OL]. (in
chinese) [2020-03-15].
http://2019ncov.chinacdc.cn/2019-nCoV/
60 Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
10. Wang C, Horby PW, Hayden FG, et al. A novel coronavirus outbreak of global health concern
[J]. Lancet 2020;395(10223):470-473. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30185-9.
11. China CDC has Detected Novel Coronavirus in Southern China Seafood Market of Wuhan
[EB/OL]. (in Chinese) (2020-01-27)[2020-03-15].
http://www.chinacdc.cn/yw_9324/202001/t20200127_211469.html
12. National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China. Notification of Novel
Coronavirus Pneumonia Temporarily Named by the National Health Commission of the People’s
Republic of China [EB/OL]. (in Chinese) (2020-02-07)[2020-03-15].
http://www.nhc.gov.cn/mohwsbwstjxxzx/s2908/202002/f15dda000f6a46b2a1ea1377cd80434
d.shtml.
13. Gorbalenya AE, Baker SC, Baric RS, et al. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related
Coronavirus- The Species and its Viruses, a Statement of the Coronavirus Study Group [J/OL].
BioRxi 2020. doi:10.1101/2020.02.07.937862.
15. Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention, National Health Commission of the People’s
Republic of China. Novel coronavirus infection pneumonia is included in the management of
notifiable infectious diseases [EB/OL]. (in Chinese) (2020-01-20)[2020-02-15].
http://www.nhc.gov.cn/jkj/s7915/202001/e4e2d5e6f01147e0a8d f3f6701d49f33.shtml
16. Chen Y, Liang W, Yang S, et al. Human Infections with the Emerging Avian Influenza A H7N9
virus from Wet Market Poultry: Clinical Analysis and Characterisation of Viral Genome [J]. Lancet
2013;381(9881):1916-1925. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60903-4.
17. Gao HN, Lu HZ, Cao B, et al. Clinical Findings in 111 Cases of Influenza A (H7N9) Virus
Infection [J]. N Engl J Med 2013;368(24):2277-2285. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1305584.
18. Liu X, Zhang Y, Xu X, et al. Evaluation of Plasma Exchange and Continuous Veno-venous
Hemofiltration for the Treatment of Severe Avian Influenza A (H7N9): a Cohort Study [J]. Ther
Apher Dial 2015;19(2):178-184. doi:10.1111/1744-9987.12240.
19. National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis
and Treatment of Infectious Diseases. Expert Consensus on Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia
Treated with Artificial Liver Blood Purification System [J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Infectious
Diseases 2020,13. (in Chinese) doi:10.3760/cma.j.issn.1674-2397.2020.0003.
20. Weill D, Benden C, Corris PA, et al. A Consensus Document for the Selection of Lung
Transplant Candidates: 2014—An Update from the Pulmonary Transplantation Council of the
International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation [J]. J Heart Lung Transplant 2015;34
(1):1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2014.06.014.
Overview of FAHZU
Founded in 1947, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (FAHZU), is
the earliest affiliated hospital of Zhejiang University. With six campuses, it has now evolved into a
medical center integrating health care, medical education, scientific research and preventative
care. In terms of overall strength, FAHZU is ranked 14th in China.
As a large-size general hospital, it currently has over 6,500 employees, including academicians of
the Chinese Academy of Engineering, National Distinguished Young Scholars and other outstanding
talents. There is a total of 4,000 beds available to patients in FAHZU. Its main campus handled 5
million emergency and outpatient visits in 2019.
Over the years, FAHZU has successfully developed a number of renowned programs in organ
transplantation, pancreatic diseases, infectious diseases, hematology, nephrology, urology,
clinical pharmacy, etc. FAHZU helps many realize the radical resection of cancer and enjoy
long-term survival. FAHZU is also an integrated provider of liver, pancreas, lung, kidney, intestine
and heart transplantation. In the fight against SARS, H7N9 avian flu and COVID-19, it has gained
rich experience and fruitful results. As a result, its medical professionals have published many
articles in journals such as New England Journal of Medicine, the Lancet, Nature and Science.
FAHZU has been extensively engaged into overseas exchanges and collaboration. It has
established partnerships with over 30 prestigious universities around the world. Productive
achievements have also been accomplished through exchange of our medical experts and
technologies with Indonesia, Malaysia and other countries.
Adhering to the core value of seeking truth with prudence, FAHZU is here to offer quality health
care to everyone in need.