Response of L V Prasad Eye Institute to COVID-19 outbreak in India: experience at its tertiary eye care centre and adoption to its Eye Health Pyramid
Authors:   Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500030, India; Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034, India; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2033, Australia; University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA, Khanna Rohit C. , Vaddavalli Pravin K. ,   Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034, India; Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, India, Fernandes Merle ,   Grandhi Mallikarjun Rao Varalakshmi Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530040, India, Rath Suryasnata ,   Mithu Tulsi Chanrai Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswara, Odisha 751024, India, Nayak Sameera ,   Kode Venkatadri Chowdary Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Vijayawada 521134, India, Narayanan Raja ,   Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034, India; University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, India, Pappuru Rajeev Reddy ,   Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034, India; Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, India, Kaliki Swathi ,   Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034, India; Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, India, Das Anthony Vipin ,   Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034, India; Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, India; Department of eyeSmart EMR &amp; AEye, L V Prasad Eye Institute 500034, India, Sharma Savitri ,   Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034, India; Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, India, Jalali Subhadra ,   Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034, India; Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, India
Published: January 2021

AIM: To summarize the experience of response to COVID-19 outbreak at a tertiary eye care institute and its network of health facilities in India.
METHODS: Our responses are based on the principles of social distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquettes, surface disinfection protocol, and rational use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). We describe our response in terms of administrative controls, clinical protocols, staff protection, environmental controls, and social distancing measures. We also discuss our communication strategies and monitoring systems, to ensure compliance to protocols.
RESULTS: Administrative control is mainly related to formation of task force and its functions. Clinical protocols are related to patient triaging methods and clinical examination guidelines in Outpatient, Inpatient and Operating Room. Staff protection is focused on training staff on the protocols to be followed in hospital as well as at home, and use of PPE. Environmental protocol is focused on cleaning and disinfectant methods to be used in the hospital. In addition, there are systems for communication as well as monitoring compliance to protocols.
CONCLUSION: We hope that these protocols and our experience would help the ophthalmic community globally and serve as a guide to protect ophthalmologists and ophthalmic care personnel, and their patients across the world.