Joseph Monaheng

There is a growing appreciation for the work done by
healthcare workers worldwide as the Corona Virus (Covid-19) crisis deepens.
These frontline heroes and heroines are risking their lives to protect the
lives of others.

Amidst all this, the role played by Infection Prevention and
Control Unit (IPC) in healthcare facilities has emerged as one of the most
effective measures in ongoing efforts to flatten the curve.


The unit is tasked with preventing dangerous outbreaks and
epidemics. Currently it must ensure that amongst others, healthcare workers
providing care to patients with confirmed cases of Covid-19 and those suspected
of having the disease are well protected.


According to Sr Ester Mosenye, Infection Control Nurse at
Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital, all staff categories at the hospital were
trained early about Corona Virus including its associated symptoms and ways in
which they can protect themselves from the infections.


“As soon as we heard about the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan
China, we started training and educating staff members about the pandemic. This
was followed by surveillance, whereby teams comprising different healthcare
professionals are set up to assist in identifying suspected Covid-19 cases
through screening and taking of swabs for laboratory testing,” Sr Mosenye
explained.


Since the Covid-19 outbreak, Sr Mosenye together with
Quality Assurance champions have been hard at work compiling daily stats for
all patients that have been swabbed, screened and tested to enable management
to make informed decisions.


Apart from regular campaigns around hand-washing and
sanitization, one of the effective methods used by the IPC to prevent the
spread of Covid-19 is self-quarantine or isolation.


“After a suspect has received an education about the virus,
we encourage them to self-quarantine at home for 14 days provided that they
don’t have any underlying medical conditions that may require them to be
admitted,” said Sr Mosenye.


“It is important for a suspected person to inform family
members that swabs were taken. The person must then ensure that there is social
distancing between themselves and family members and that they do not share
things such as utensils and rooms,” she added.


While the spread of Covid-19 has racked havoc on many health
systems across the world and exacerbated socio-economic problems, it has also
taken a toll on personal lives of many frontline health workers.


“It has really been difficult to cope since the covid-19
outbreak began, but I find talking to people very helpful. I have gone to our
employee assistant coordinator several times and he has really helped me cope
with the stress and the crises,” Sr Mosenye said.


The 16 years’ experience working as an Infection Control
Nurse has also come in to play in how Sr Mosenye deals with the pandemic.


“I have been an Infection control nurse since 2005 and I
have accumulated a lot of information and knowledge.”


In outbreaks like this, I get a lot of information which
helps me break down the chain of infection and empower people around me,” she
said adding that her family’s support has been the pillar of strength since the
beginning of the pandemic.