In hospital physiotherapy treatment for Covid-19 patients – Management and clinical practice

Abstract

World Health Organization has declared corona virus disease (COVID 19) a global pandemic and public health emergency, following the outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Fever, dry cough and fatigue are the main manifestations, but the main concern is cases that deteriorated to severe pneumonia and ARDS. The outbreak of COVID- 19 in Israel, in March 2020 caused major changes in the routine work in hospitals. Hasharon hospital, a small community hospital in Petah Tikvah was converted to corona patients admissions only. In accordance with this new reality the physiotherapy service prepared itself to provide treatments tailored to the clinical needs of the Covid 19 patients and the quarantine conditions of these patients hospitalization. During a period of 2 month, we built a unique protocol adjusted to isolated patients and staff, including telemedicine and hands on treatment.