Preventing COVID-19 Infection in Mental Health Units: Recommendations for Best Practices

Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2020 Nov;41(11):969-975. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2020.1820646. Epub 2020 Sep 17.

Abstract

Mental health facilities should be equipped to care for patients while preventing spread of COVID-19. Peer-reviewed literature and guidelines for government and health organizations were reviewed to guide best practices. Gunderson's five therapeutic functions of a milieu are used as a conceptual framework. Patients should be screened for infection according to local or national policy prior to admission to an inpatient mental health unit. While interacting with one another in a therapeutic milieu, patients should be encouraged to practice physical distancing and hand hygiene. Clinicians may need to alter therapeutic groups to prevent COVID-19 infection. Additionally, clinicians should monitor patients for emerging symptoms and conduct rapid testing and isolation of patients suspected of COVID-19. Recommendations are made for patients unable to adhere to physical distancing or hand hygiene policies.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / organization & administration*
  • Mental Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission
  • Psychiatric Department, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Psychiatric Nursing / organization & administration*
  • SARS-CoV-2