Droplets produced when an infected person breathes or coughs carry viruses that may be inhaled. Droplets spread about 1-2 metres. Droplets remain infectious when they settle on surfaces, can contaminate hands and then be carried to nose or mouth. Incubation time 1 - 14 days, average 5 days. Duration of infectivity unknown – up to 21 days?
Covid-19 Obstetric HDU Level Admission (856)
Warning
What's new / Latest updates
Addition to Management: Other - Consider Remedesivir if SpO2 ≤ 94% on air or requiring supplemental O2 – this must be discussed with an Infectious Diseases physician.
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Inform consultant obstetrician and consultant anaesthetist on admission
FBC, U&E, LFTs, CRP, Coag (use COVID blood set on trakcare)
ABG are not req’d for initiating O2 Rx. ABGs should be measured as standard in deteriorating or drowsy patients if results would potentially alter management
Nasal and throat swab and if producing sputum, a sputum sample are mandatory – send both on admission. Repeat at 24hrs if -ve and ongoing high clinical suspicion
Other as clinically appropriate e.g. blood/urine/stool cultures, troponin, ECG, viral gargle if influenza-like illness
CXR: compulsory. May be normal or show hazy bilateral, peripheral opacities or other condition.
Consider CT if would change Rx (eg ?PE)
Renal failure, leukopenia/lymphopenia (80%), ↑AST/ALT/bilirubin, ↑D-dimer, ↑ CRP, ↑ LDH, ↑ferritin
| Airway | Anaesthetic assessment on admission |
| Breathing | Continuous SpO2, hourly RR, CXR Art line O2 to maintain SpO2 ≥ 94% If SpO2<94% on 4L NC or 35% O2 or rising RR (≥30) - Immediate anaesthetic review, ABG and discussion with ICU / obstetrician / neonatology to plan immediate care |
Circulation
| HR, BP, CRT, catheterise, hourly UOP Fluid resus on admission if required with 250ml boluses of Hartmanns then review Accurate hourly fluid balance Aim even fluid balance after initial resus Echo if unstable |
| Disability | AVPU / GCS / BM |
| Exposure | Hourly temp Ensure all relevant cultures sent Don’t forget other common causes of sepsis LMWH as protocol |
| Fetus | Consider delivery on a case by case basis based on maternal condition, disease trajectory and gestation of fetus (consult with neonatology) Fetal monitoring as directed by obstetricians Steroids / MgSO4 as required for fetus |
Other - The RECOVERY trial states that steroid therapy should be considered for 10 days or to hospital discharge, whichever is sooner, for adults unwell with COVID-19 and requiring oxygen (in pregnant adults, use oral prednisolone 40 mg once a day or intravenous hydrocortisone 80 mg twice a day).
Tocilizumab may be considered if SpO2<92% on air or requiring O2 and CRP ≥ 75 – discuss with a named consultant familiar with the management of covid pneumonitis within office hours - refer to PRM anaesthetic COVID guide and GGC guidance on Staffnet re exclusions / cautions. Data limited in pregnancy-consider risks vs benefits and discuss in multi-disciplinary forum.