The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the landscape of healthcare, including audiology. As practitioners, it's crucial to stay informed and adapt to ensure both our safety and that of our patients. The recent research article "The priority of audiological procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic" provides valuable insights that can help us navigate these challenging times.
Understanding the Risks
Audiologists face unique challenges due to the nature of their work, which often involves close contact with patients. This puts both the audiologist and the patient at risk of COVID-19 transmission. The article highlights that the virus can survive on surfaces for extended periods and is highly concentrated in the nasal cavity and nasopharynx, making infection control paramount.
Implementing Effective Infection Control Measures
To minimize the risk of spreading infections, the article recommends several infection control measures:
- Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, and eye protection.
- Regular hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizers.
- Cleaning and sterilizing clinical equipment like headphones, otoscopes, and hearing aids.
- Disinfecting surfaces such as tables and armrests after each patient appointment.
- Disposing of infectious waste appropriately.
- Ensuring a time gap between patient appointments to allow for thorough cleaning.
- Using larger soundproof booths to maintain social distancing.
Clinical Recommendations for Audiologists
The article also provides practical recommendations to adapt audiology practices during the pandemic:
- Stay Educated: Continuously update your knowledge about COVID-19 and follow CDC guidelines.
- Minimize Waiting Room Time: Schedule appointments to reduce waiting room time and disinfect common areas regularly.
- Limit Nonessential Physical Interactions: Reduce in-person visits for high-risk patients and consider telehealth options.
- Consider Hearing Aid Drop-Off Service: Implement a drop-off service for hearing aid repairs to minimize patient contact.
- Consider Remote Care: Utilize telepractice options for hearing aid programming, follow-ups, and consultations.
Priority Setting for Audiologic Evaluation
The article suggests prioritizing certain audiological evaluations based on urgency:
- As Soon As Possible: Sudden sensorineural loss, post-meningitis patients, ototoxicity monitoring, and idiopathic facial palsy.
- Delay Up to 2 Weeks: Acute mastoiditis, acute otitis media, facial nerve trauma, and follow-up of newborn screen referrals.
Conclusion
By implementing these recommendations, audiologists can enhance their practice while ensuring safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staying informed and adapting to new guidelines is essential for providing effective and safe care to our patients.To read the original research paper, please follow this link:
The priority of audiological procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
