Clinical management of patients with COVID-19: Initial approach to the acutely ill patient

This course is also available in the following languages:

Soomaaliga – Español – Português – Russian – Հայերեն

Course contents

Module 1: Screening and triage:
Module objectives: explain the COVID-19 care pathway; describe screening, isolation and acuity-based triage as outlined in the COVID-19 care pathway, and identify mechanisms by which a patient can be released from the COVID-19 care pathway.

Module 2: The integrated interagency triage tool:
Module objectives: describe triage processes; relate the goals of triage processes; identify the management goals and urgency for patients triaged as Red, Yellow or Green; apply the routine facility interagency integrated triage tool for adult cases; apply the routine facility interagency integrated triage tool for paediatric cases.

Module 3: Resuscitation area designation:
Module objectives: explain the rationale for a clearly designated resuscitation space; identify four characteristics important to a functional resuscitation space; list key material resources present in a resuscitation space; describe the arrival, triage, and resuscitation process for a patient triaged as Red; and identify the steps that should be taken before providers leave the resuscitation area.

Module 4: The WHO medical emergency checklist:
Module objectives: describe the medical emergency checklist, and identify the ways in which it supports clinical judgement; outline key phases in checklist implementation; describe the two pause points of the checklist, including the rationale and appropriate timing of each.

Module 5: The ABCDE approach to the acutely ill patient:
Module objectives: relate the components of the ABCDE systematic approach to the acutely ill patient; list the elements of a SAMPLE history; explain the importance of using the ABCDE systematic approach for every acutely ill patient, regardless of their COVID-19 status; describe key differences in the acutely ill pediatric patient, including danger signs and appropriate interventions.

Module 6: Approach to the patient with difficulty in breathing:
Module objectives: perform the ABCDE systematic approach for the patient with difficulty in breathing; take a targeted SAMPLE history for the patient with difficulty in breathing; list common causes of difficulty in breathing; describe critical skills to perform for the patient with difficulty in breathing.

Module 7: Approach to the patient with shock:
Module objectives: perform the ABCDE systematic approach for patients with shock; take a targeted SAMPLE history of patients with shock; list common causes of shock; describe critical skills to perform for the patient with shock; explain how to monitor patients receiving intravenous fluids for shock, and why monitoring is critically important.

Module 8: Approach to the patient with altered mental status:
Module objectives: perform the ABCDE systematic approach for the patient with altered mental status; take a targeted SAMPLE history for a patient with altered mental status; list possible causes of altered mental status; describe critical skills to perform for the patient with altered mental status.