COVID-19 and Its Impact on Patient Safety

Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is the world’s biggest challenge. The impact of the pandemic is far and widespread. In this crisis, health care workers are at the forefront of fighting the virus. As a result, the health care system is strained and operating in suboptimal capacities. Thus, the use of alternative solutions by patients in receiving health care services has been adopted.

Health Care Facilities

The pandemic had a sporadic beginning. In a short period, it changed its dynamic and spread hastily within communities. The health care facilities were caught short. They were inadequately prepared for such magnitudes. Patient numbers in the facilities grew and even surpassed capacity. It was a significant risk for the safety of patients and health care workers.

Resources to support such numbers were strained. Demand for medicine was on the rise, but it did not take long to run out of stock with limited supply. It was a risk for patients on regular medication.

Health Personnel Crisis

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has led to a constant rise in positive cases. As a result, health care workers are stretched and overwhelmed. Working under extreme pressure pauses a risk to both patients and the health care workers.

The majority of healthcare workers have been reassigned to support COVID-19. It was done following WHO initial recommendations to prioritize taming the pandemic. Non-urgent health services were, therefore, minimized.

The decline in numbers of health care workers as a result of reassignments disrupted other services. Non-COVID patients are at a disadvantage in receiving health care. The lack of medicine and specialists to attend to them put their safety at risk.

Discontinued Services

The redirection of focus to COVID-19 has led to the discontinuation of other health services. Some of the services, such as non-communicable disease patients, are essential. Such patients are living with cancer, diabetes, and blood pressure-related complications. They are at the highest risk of suffering when infected by the virus, which shows their vitality to receive health services. Expectant mothers as well require pre-natal care. If they fail to receive this care, it may put the unborn child and mother at risk.

Rehabilitation services have been disrupted in approximately two-thirds of countries globally. In the recovery of infected persons, rehabilitation is vital following severe ailment.

Alternative Techniques

In the US, alternative techniques have been formulated to support patients on treatment. 58% of countries globally have adopted the use of telemedicine. Telemedicine is the use of a telephone or online platform to consult and receive treatment. The technique helps reduce frequent visitation of patients to hospitals hence decreasing the spread of the virus. Recovering patients of COVID-19 can receive home-based care and isolation. People with non-communicable diseases minimize their exposure to the virus.

Science Faculties

The current strain of coronavirus in COVID-19 is unfamiliar to many scientists. Biologists and chemists are tirelessly working to develop a vaccine. Biologists are knowledgeable in life sciences, therefore, providing insight into the virus. Chemists, on the other hand, are creating different compounds for practical application. All this is to ensure patients can manage the virus and reduce its infection rate.

Government Funding

Governments need to support the health care system continually. The government could help in the allocation and channeling of funds to the healthcare systems. It would help improve the facility’s ability to deal with the pandemic.

Patient safety is crucial in every healthcare facility. The impact of COVID-19 on patient safety is global, and risks to COVID-19 patients, non-patients, and health workers are high. However, by coming up with acceptable practices, it is possible to care for patients safely. Healthcare facilities should adopt the use of alternative methods to deliver services. Healthcare workers should also advise discharged patients on isolation.