Convalescent plasma as a potential therapy for COVID-19

398 www.thelancet.com/infection Vol 20 April 2020 Control and Nursing in Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, have undergone intensive training to become familiar with the requirements for infection control in the negative pressure isolation wards. Herein, cameras cover the entire ward except for the privacy area. The infection control observer monitors medical staff in real time via computer monitors in a separate area (figure). The main responsibilities of the observer are to maintain the normal operation of the negative pressure isolation wards, supervise the implementation of disinfection, ensure a sufficient supply of protective materials, arrange specimens for inspection, and relieve anxiety of the medical personnel while treating patients. The observers pay attention to the medical staff not only during their time in the negative pressure ward, but also during the putting on or taking off of protective equipment when they enter or leave the ward. Although the health-care providers have attended multiple training sessions and emergency drills, in operation (especially in high-stress negative pressure wards) some steps might be omitted or overlooked, thus incurring potential exposure to nosocomial infection. For example, when a nurse helped an elderly patient pull up a zipper in the negative pressure ward, the zipper unexpectedly ripped the nurse’s glove. The nurse became nervous, and anxious to continue her procedures. Discovering this situation on screen, the observer immediately soothed the nurse and sent another staff member into the ward to assist. Following the occupational exposure process, the observer then instructed the nurse to remove her gloves carefully, disinfect her hands, and dispose of the ripped gloves. The observer also systematically assessed the risks for the nurse and arranged a quarantine room for medical observation to ensure full safety before she was allowed to return to the negative pressure ward. The observing system, as a proactive infection control tool, provides immediate prevention against nosocomial infection in negative pressure isolation wards, which offers creative assistance to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital plans to incorporate artificial intelligence image recognition into the observing system, aiming to enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of instant detection. Implementing and improving the observing system might be a promising endeavor for controlling nosocomial infection of the COVID-19 outbreak and other acute infectious diseases.