The Tribune

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT

tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net

AFTER a doctor got into a row last month with a patient of PMH’s Dialysis Unit who would not remove his shoes, the Public Hospitals Authority has issued a statement laying out new COVID-19 prevention protocols for the area.

According to the guidelines, a patient’s shoes must be removed once seated for treatment and placed on the floor beside them, PHA announced yesterday.

“Shoes may be worn again after treatment and in preparation to leave the unit. Patients are asked to bring a pair of socks to be worn during treatment. Patients who prefer to leave their shoes on during treatment must place a shoe cover over shoes prior to commencing treatment,” PHA advised.

“At no time should patients place the bottom of their shoes on the chair or footrest in the unit,” PHA added.

Among other measures, patients are required to wash their hands upon entering the Dialysis Unit, before and after using the bathroom and after treatment; patients should sanitise their hands in between treatment and as necessary; staff and patients are required to wear face masks at all times while in the Dialysis Unit and no more than three people will be allowed to be seated in the waiting area at any time.

Patients will be allowed in the waiting area 30 minutes prior to treatment or unless otherwise advised, PHA said, adding that assembling in the corridor or inside the unit before and after treatment will not be permitted.

No eating or drinking will be allowed while receiving treatment and there should be no sharing of food or other items while awaiting or receiving treatment.

On April 24, Director of Nephrology Dr Frederick Smith and dialysis patient, Marvin Johnson, got into a spat after Dr Smith asked all dialysis patients to remove their shoes when on the machines and adhere to the COVID-19 prevention rules before receiving treatment.

Mr Johnson, guided by his son, Giavano Bowe, wrote a letter of complaint to PHA saying he took “grave offence” to Dr Smith’s request and also felt “threatened” by it. Mr Johnson also copied the letter to the police.

Dr Smith said he was just enforcing preventative measures to keep staff and patients, alike, safe from COVID-19.

Mr Johnson and his son took issue with the request, saying that the “new rules” were not in writing.

Yesterday, PHA said the Princess Margaret Hospital’s Dialysis Unit has implemented enhanced COVID-19 prevention protocols to ensure the safety and health of patients and healthcare staff. It also said that hospital management remains committed to providing quality service in an environment that is clean, while preventing and/or minimizing the spread of any illness or disease.

The statement continued: “Persons experiencing upper respiratory symptoms including fever, cough or difficulty breathing should call the COVID-19 call centre at 411 or 511 before coming to hospital, to avoid unintentional exposure of the virus to other patients or hospital staff.

“The COVID-19 virus is known to affect certain categories of people including the elderly and patients with medical conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, cancer and renal failure. These patients are considered to be a ‘vulnerable population,’ meaning, patients with one or more of these conditions are more at risk of getting the virus and can develop severe complications and even death once infected.”

Mr Johnson and his son Giavano Bowe were not available for comment at press time.