SG-APSIC1062: The role of active surveillance in the primary-care setting during a pandemic in Singapore

Objectives: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, primary care swiftly transformed and re-established patient flow in clinics red, orange, green zones based on a set of screening criteria. To further manage influx suspected patients their needs safely, list surveillance audit criteria was developed ensure good infection control standards. Methods: The team prepared recommended CDC/WHO guidelines for pandemic preparedness. These were contextualized primary-care polyclinic setting. grouped according category: screening, triage, early recognition source control, inventory management personal protective equipment (PPE), measures red zone, precautionary during collection nasopharyngeal swabs environmental cleaning disinfection premises zones, respectively. liaison nurses each trained use checklist consistency interpretation Results: Surveillance audits conducted biweekly first 3 months then monthly once compliance rate steady at 90%–100% all categories. overall average since commencing March 2020 polyclinics sustained 90%–100%. Common findings included inappropriate PPE (eg, self-contamination removal gown or wrong sequence doffing), inadequate ventilation, processes. All corrected immediately, staff education provided. Conclusions: Primary plays an important role pandemic. It is essential that both healthcare workers setting are protected from risk Having process helps services can continue general population. component health system’s