Infection Control

Is there a way to avoid the 14-day quarantine that is being recommended for patients in healthcare facilities?

Due to the frequent close contact between patients receiving healthcare and healthcare staff, a 14-day quarantine period is recommended for both patients receiving care and those who have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2. These documents indicate that the necessity to be in quarantine or restricted from work may depend on the personal protective equipment and current vaccination status.

The Options to Reduce the Quarantine Period for Persons With SARS-CoV-2 Infection using Symptom Monitoring or Diagnostic Testing outlines alternatives to the 14-day quarantine. These alternatives could be considered by healthcare facilities as a way to reduce staffing shortages, space limitations or shortages of PPE. This is not the best option due to the unique nature of healthcare environments (e.g., patients at high risk of worse outcomes, critical nature and challenges with physical distancing),

Additional transmission risk could be created by healthcare facilities shortening patient quarantine or work restriction. Patients and healthcare workers should be able to counsel patients and caregivers about the need for monitoring and immediate self-isolation if symptoms develop within 14 days.

1In healthcare settings, patients in quarantine are usually isolated in a single-person area and treated by healthcare personnel using all the recommended PPE for patients with confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infections. These patients shouldn’t be grouped with SARS-2 patients unless they have been tested positive.

This post was written by a medical professional at The Wellness Firm.  The Wellness Firm services include workplace flu clinics,  flu vaccinations, onsite rapid corporate employee Covid testing, the physical exam for employment, as well as American Heart Association CPR certification classes. Founded by local Firemen, The Wellness Firm has been providing a safer Tampa Bay since 2006.