ACNC Clinical Visit Safety Plan for COVID-19

ACNC Clinical Visit Safety Plan for COVID-19

  • Team members will be provided with:

    • Disposable clinical grade masks
    • Eyewear protection
    • Disposable coats (necessary for interacting with infants and children)
    • Disposable gloves

  • Team members will:

    • Observe social distancing whenever possible (see “Wet Lab” and office protocols above, for staff-to-staff work distancing targets)
    • Wash hands before and after interacting with participants
    • Dispose of PPE as biohazardous waste, after each participant visit is complete
    • Clean eyewear PPE after each participant visit

  • Participants screened prior to entry to ACNC building

    • Phone screening 48 hours prior to visit
      1. ACH questionnaire
        • Yes to any question → reschedule visit
        • No to all questions → proceed with visit reminders and educate participant on new procedure
    • In-person screening at time of visit by a research assistant
      1. Masking and hand care– ACH medical grade masks will be provided at the entrance to ACNC, as well as hand sanitizing solution
        • Adult participant refuse masking → reschedule visit
        • Child participant (2 to 4 yr) refuse masking → observe social distancing
        • Child participant (≥5 yr) refuse masking → reschedule visit
      2. ACH questionnaire
        • Yes to any question → reschedule visit
        • No to all questions → proceed
      3. Temperature check
        • Fever → reschedule visit
        • No fever → proceed with visit

  • Participants will be required:

    • To wear mask during the entire length of the visit except during assessments that require removal of face mask (e.g., air displacement plethysmography, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and indirect calorimetry [resting and fitness test])
    • Observe social distancing whenever possible
    • Use designated bathrooms
    • Use designated eating area

  • Scheduling of visits:

    • 30 minutes between participants, to allow for thorough cleaning and airing out of procedure rooms and equipment
    • Whenever possible, visits to be conducted in one wing of the research facility to limit cross-over

  • Visits

    • Whenever possible, social distancing will be observed by research team member
    • For assessments requiring close contact (anthropometrics, blood draws, EEG):
      1. Team members will wear full PPE
      2. Masks, coats and gloves will be disposed upon the end of the visit with the participant and the eyewear will be cleaned with disinfectant wipes
      3. Hands will be washed prior to and after procedures
    • For assessments requiring testing with the participants (neuropsychology, psychology testing):
      1. Plexiglas shields will be used when possible, to minimize exposure
      2. Team members will wear disposable masks and wash hands at minimum
    • Closed rooms will be provided for participants to eat lunch, breakfast or any other snacks. The rooms will be thoroughly cleaned and aired out between participants.
    • Bathrooms will be designated for each participant and cleaned prior to being reassigned to another participant.

  • Biological Samples reception

    • Samples brought by participants to the ACNC will be:
      1. Handled with full PPE
      2. Brought to lab for container disinfection according to existing ACH guidelines.
      3. If processing is necessary – follow procedures outlined below

  • Biological Samples collection

    • Samples collected from participants at the ACNC will be:
      1. Collected while wearing full PPE
      2. Transported to the lab in a biohazard container by a team member who was not in contact with participant
      3. Container will be disinfected according to existing procedures

  • Biological Samples processing

    • All open container processing will be performed in BSC while wearing full PPE
    • All trash will be disposed in biohazard containers
    • Closed container processing (e.g. centrifuging) will be performed after container disinfection