| SPECIAL REPORT |
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| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 10
| Issue : 2 | Page : 80-86 |
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Proposed measures to be taken by ophthalmologists during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: Experience from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
Jui-Yen Lin1, Eugene Yu-Chuan Kang1, Po-Han Yeh1, Xiao Chun Ling1, Hung-Chi Chen2, Kuan-Jen Chen2, Yih-Shiou Hwang2, Chi-Chun Lai2, Wei-Chi Wu2
1 Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
2 Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Wei-Chi Wu
Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 5, Fu-Hsin Road, Taoyuan 333
Taiwan
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | 3 |
DOI: 10.4103/tjo.tjo_21_20
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PURPOSE: Although Taiwan was one of the first countries to develop coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with effective antiepidemic measures, Taiwan has effectively controlled the spread of the disease. The purpose of this article is to provide useful safety strategies for ophthalmologists in daily practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infection control strategies in the hospital and Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, are discussed.
RESULTS: Ophthalmologists are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 infection, as they have close contact with patients during ocular examinations, and are also facing high patient volume in outpatient clinics as well as emergency consultations. Furthermore, ocular symptoms, such as conjunctivitis, may be the presenting signs of COVID-19 infection. We provide our strategies, which include hospital's gate control with triage station, patient volume control, proper personal protective equipment, and consultation with telemedicine technology, to decrease the risk of cross-infection between medical staffs and patients.
CONCLUSION: To achieve the goal of preventing viral spread and maximizing patient and medical staffs' safety, besides providing proper protective equipment, it is also crucial for staffs and patients to strictly follow antiepidemic measures. We hope that our experience can help ophthalmologists and health-care workers to have a safer working environment when facing COVID-19 pandemic.
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