Open AccessRecommendations for Dermatology Office Reopening in the Era of COVID-19
Author(s) -
Suleima Arruda,
Dóris Hexsel,
Ting Song Lim,
Heidi A. Waldorf,
Ofir Artzi,
WHosung Choi,
Sahar Ghannam,
Huang Gaomin,
WonKyung Ho,
Maria Cristina Puyat,
Elena Rossi,
Ava Shamban,
Sonja Sattler,
Neil S. Sadick
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of drugs in dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 62
ISSN - 1545-9616
DOI - 10.36849/jdd.2020.5293
Subject(s) - medicine , pandemic , government (linguistics) , specialty , covid-19 , public health , globe , infection control , health care , control (management) , family medicine , medical emergency , public relations , nursing , economic growth , disease , intensive care medicine , pathology , management , political science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , linguistics , philosophy , economics , ophthalmology
The COVID-19 pandemic, originating in Wuhan, China, has become a major public health and economic challenge for countries around the world. As of May 08, 2020, there are over 3 million COVID-19 cases, and 250,000 COVID-19- associated deaths in 215 countries. As more data is collected, updated infection control measures are continuously released and published by government, public health authorities, and physician specialty associations. Across the globe, dermatological practices have had to limit their operations to varying degrees to facilitate disease control, but as the pandemic subsides, they will broaden their operations. In light of the uncertainty surrounding safe and effective practice of medical and aesthetic dermatology in the era of COVID-19, fourteen international experts in the field contributed to recommendations for effective infection control protocols and practice management modifications. While guidance from the World Health Organization and local public health officials comes first, these recommendations are crafted as a starting point for dermatologists worldwide to commence either reopening their doors to patients or expanding available service offerings. This can help ensure that patients receive needed care in the short term and improve long term practice viability. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(7):e-1-e-9. doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.5293.