LibGuides: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources: Health Care Professionals

Information Provided By

This guide is a collaboration of the UNC-Chapel Hill Health Sciences Library and the North Carolina AHEC.

COVID-19 help

If you have specific questions or concerns related to coronavirus, call the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services (NC DHHS) 24/7 phone number
1-866-462-3821
or visit the NC DHHS Coronarivus website for more information.

In the event of an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

You can also submit questions online by selecting Chat at www.ncpoisoncontrol.org.

______________________

Need someone to talk to?
You are not alone.

SAMHSA's National Helpline (24/7)
call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7)
call 800-273-TALK (8255) or chat with a person at the Lifeline here.

National Domestic Violence Helpline (24/7)
call 1-800-799-7233
text LOVEIS to 22522
log onto thehotline.org

Questions about this page?

Please note:
The Health Sciences Library cannot offer medical advice. Please use the resources above or contact a licensed medical professional for COVID-19 diagnosis or treatment.

Call the HSL at (919) 962-0800 (during library hours).

E-Mail us and we will get back to you promptly.

Chat with an HSL Librarian (during business hours).

UNC Health Care Employees

COVID-19 Latest Updates (UNC Health) Must have access to UNC Health Intranet to read
COVID-19 Preparedness (UNC Health) Must have access to UNC Health Intranet to read
UNC Health COVID-19 resources

Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Guidance

COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines (NIH)
COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Clinical Summary (DynaMed)
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (UpToDate)
Society guideline links: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (UpToDate)
COVID-19: NEJM Journal Watch Coverage (NEJM)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): infection control and prevention measures (Cochrane)
In order to ensure immediate access to Cochrane Reviews of potential relevance, this Cochrane Library Special Collection assembles Cochrane Reviews identified as most directly relevant to the prevention of infection. It includes reviews that evaluate the effects of interventions referenced in the WHO interim guidance for the 2019 coronavirus outbreak (28 January 2020), as well as other potentially relevant reviews from three Cochrane Networks.

Please note that the reviews included in this Special Collection summarize evidence, and their inclusion does not mean that the interventions reviewed have been shown to be an effective prevention measure.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): evidence relevant to critical care (Cochrane)
This Special Collection includes Cochrane Reviews on the following topics: fluid and vasopressor therapy; respiratory support and mechanical ventilation; weaning mechanical ventilation; managing hypoxaemia; pharmacological treatment; and nutrition in intensive care. Many reviews in the collection have associated Cochrane Clinical Answers, with links provided.

It is important to note that the reviews included in this Collection summarise evidence; their inclusion does not mean that they are an effective treatment. A number of reviews presented here highlight the paucity of high-quality evidence to inform medical decision-making in the context of the severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) crisis.
COVID-19 Evidence Alerts from McMaster PLUS
Oxford COVID-19 Evidence Service (Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine)
COVID-evidence Database
Find evidence on interventions for COVID-19. COVID-evidence is a continuously updated database of the worldwide available evidence on interventions for COVID-19.
Covid-19 JBI Evidence Synthesis (Joanna Briggs Institute)
Run a COVID-19 evidence search on TRIPdatabase.com

Diagnosis and Management

Clinical Overview- Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection (Elsevier) [PDF]
COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Clinical Summary (DynaMed)
Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (CDC)
- Clinical Presentation
- Clinical Course
- Diagnostic Testing
- Laboratory and Radiographic Findings
- Clinical Management and Treatment
- Investigational Therapeutics
- Interim Guidance for Discontinuing
- Transmission-based Precautions or In-Home Isolation for Persons with Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 Infection
NCDHHS Clinical Laboratory Guidance
Health care providers in consultation with the state Communicable Disease Branch (919-733-3419, available 24/7) or local public health department will conduct a risk assessment to determine if individuals meet the NC criteria for diagnostic testing to detect COVID-19. When the criteria are met, a NC Patient Under Investigation (PUI) number is assigned, documenting approval for testing. Prior approval from the Communicable Disease Branch is required for submission of specimens.
COVID-19 Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel for Providers (FDA)
Health care providers in consultation with the state Communicable Disease Branch (919-733-3419, available 24/7) or local public health department will conduct a risk assessment to determine if individuals meet the NC criteria for diagnostic testing to detect COVID-19. When the criteria are met, a NC Patient Under Investigation (PUI) number is assigned, documenting approval for testing. Prior approval from the Communicable Disease Branch is required for submission of specimens.
What Healthcare Personnel Should Know about Caring for Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 Infection. (CDC)
Health care providers or public health personnel collecting specimens should wear recommended PPE as described in this document.
What Clinicians Need to Know to Prepare for COVID-19 in the United States (CDC)
Clinicians will learn what they can do to prepare for COVID-19 including identifying persons under investigation, applying infection prevention and control measures, assessing risks for exposures, optimizing the use of personal protective equipment supplies, and managing and caring for patients (inpatient and at home).
Healthcare Professionals: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. (CDC)
Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings (CDC)
Infection control procedures including administrative rules and engineering controls, environmental hygiene, correct work practices, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are all necessary to prevent infections from spreading during healthcare delivery. Prompt detection and effective triage and isolation of potentially infectious patients are essential to prevent unnecessary exposures among patients, healthcare personnel, and visitors at the facility. All healthcare facilities must ensure that their personnel are correctly trained and capable of implementing infection control procedures; individual healthcare personnel should ensure they understand and can adhere to infection control requirements.

AMA Physicians' Guide to COVID-19 (American Medical Association)

COVID-Ready Communication Skills (VitalTalk)
CAPC COVID-19 Response Resources (Center to Advance Palliative Care)
COVID-19 Fact Sheets (COVID-19 Health Literacy Project)
COVID-19 Fact Sheets available in 34 languages. All materials are reviewed and vetted by physicians and medical school faculty members at the Harvard hospitals, created in collaboration with Harvard Health Publishing.

Radiology / Imaging

Run a COVID-19 + Radiology Search in PubMed

Mandatory Reporting

NCDHHS orders mandatory reporting of suspected coronavirus, releases clinical guidance
The NC Department of Health and Human Services issued a temporary order requiring clinicians to report suspected or confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) to the local health director in their county or district. Read the Feb. 3 temporary order

NCDHHS also released updated clinical guidance to provide NC clinicians with the latest information on the illness. Read the Feb. 3 guidance.

Webinars and Education

Coronavirus: What Nurses Need to Know to be Prepared (Johns Hopkins University)
In this 30-minute webinar, Dr. Veenema discusses disaster preparedness for nurses and nursing students in the event of an infectious disease outbreak with an emphasis on the current coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.
What Clinicians Need to Know to Prepare for COVID-19 in the United States (CDC)
Clinicians will learn what they can do to prepare for COVID-19 including identifying persons under investigation, applying infection prevention and control measures, assessing risks for exposures, optimizing the use of personal protective equipment supplies, and managing and caring for patients (inpatient and at home).
10 March 12pm EDT COVID-19: What are we learning about this new Coronavirus? (Unbound Medicine)
FREE. In this 30-minute webinar, Paul Auwaerter MBA, MD, Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, will deliver a full understanding of COVID-19 and how utilizing updated, authoritative, and evidence-based resources, such as the Johns Hopkins ABX Guide, can play a key role in your patient care.
Audio Interview: Making Decisions about Covid-19 Testing and Treatment for Your Patients (NEJM)
In this audio interview conducted on March 10, 2020, the editors discuss the care of two hypothetical patients who present with equivocal symptoms.
FREE Online Course: COVID-19: Tackling the Novel Coronavirus (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)
What is COVID-19 and how might the outbreak affect you? Find out more about coronavirus and explore its worldwide implications.
Duration: 3 weeks Weekly study: 4 hours Learn: Free Digital upgrade: Free
18 March 1pm EDT: COVID-19: Keeping Up With a Moving Target
COVID-19 news is changing rapidly and we are all trying to stay on top of the latest medical information from trusted sources. Join Dr. Paul Auwaerter from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the former president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America for a free CME webinar covering what we know about the coronavirus outbreak. Earn up to 1.0 CME/CE credits for participation.
23 March 1pm EDT: COVID-19 Update for Rural Partners (CDC)
FREE Online Course: Emerging respiratory viruses, including COVID-19: methods for detection, prevention, response and control (World Health Organization)
his course provides a general introduction to COVID-19 and emerging respiratory viruses and is intended for public health professionals, incident managers and personnel working for the United Nations, international organizations and NGOs.
Fighting COVID-19 with Epidemiology: A Johns Hopkins Teach-Out (Johns Hopkins)
This free Teach-Out is for anyone who has been curious about how we identify and measure outbreaks like the COVID-19 epidemic and wants to understand the epidemiology of these infections.
Video: COVID-19 and Medical Devices: Safe Respirator Usage When Supplies Are Short (ECRI)
Hear expert advice on using outdated or expired masks, how to get multiple uses from masks, cleaning and disinfection procedures, UV disinfection, navigating supply-chain shortages, and why ECRI does not recommend homemade masks for healthcare facilities. The presentation concludes with an informative Q&A session based on questions from hospitals around the globe.

Critical Care Skills

Critical Care for the Non-ICU Clinician (Society of Critical Care Medicine)
SCCM's Critical Care for the Non-ICU Clinician provides online education to healthcare professionals who may benefit from critical care training. Be prepared with this free resource.
Mechanical Ventilation for Covid-19 (Harvard)
Free Airway Management Trainer for Doctors, Nurses, Medics Fighting Pandemic (Virtual Heroes)
Elsevier COVID-19 healthcare hub
Emergency, ICU, Inpatient, Ambulatory, & Community Care training resources

Latest Research Articles

COVID-19 Feed (PubMed)

Run a Search

Run a COVID-19 Search in PubMed
Dimensions COVID-19 publications, data sets, clinical trials - updated daily (Dimensions)
Digital Science is providing all relevant content on COVID-19 in Dimensions as a single export file, updated daily, to make sharing and distributing this research information easier.
Access the Google Sheet
Access the CSV file on Figshare
COVID-19 Data Resource Hub (Tableau)
It includes a clean, ready-to-use data stream of case reports, compiled by Johns Hopkins University and including data from WHO and the CDC; a jumpstart workbook; and a curated gallery of the best visualizations created by Tableau users.
Run a COVID-19 search in DisasterLit
Resources include guidelines, reports, proceedings, trainings, fact sheets, etc., for a professional audience.

Information Collections

LitCovid (National Library of Medicine)
LitCovid is a curated literature hub for tracking up-to-date scientific information about the 2019 novel Coronavirus. It is the most comprehensive resource on the subject, providing a central access to 737 (and growing) peer-review articles. The articles are updated daily and are further categorized by different research topics and geographic locations for improved access.
Global research on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (WHO)
WHO is gathering the latest international multilingual scientific findings and knowledge on COVID-19. The global literature cited in the WHO COVID-19 database is updated daily (Monday through Friday) from searches of bibliographic databases, hand searching, and the addition of other expert-referred scientific articles. This database represents a comprehensive multilingual source of current literature on the topic. While it may not be exhaustive, new research is added regularly.
COVID-19 Open Research Dataset (CORD-19)
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Allen Institute for AI has partnered with leading research groups to prepare and distribute the COVID-19 Open Research Dataset (CORD-19), a free resource of over 29,000 scholarly articles, including over 13,000 with full text, about COVID-19 and the coronavirus family of viruses for use by the global research community. This dataset is intended to mobilize researchers to apply recent advances in natural language processing to generate new insights in support of the fight against this infectious disease. The corpus will be updated weekly as new research is published in peer-reviewed publications and archival services like bioRxiv, medRxiv, and others.
@COVID_Evidence on Twitter
Live automated evidence via PubMed/ Clinical Trials/ F1000/ BioMedCentral/ bioRxiv/ medRxiv

Research Funding Sources

COVID-19 Funding Opportunities (UNC Office of Research Development)
Coronavirus Funding Monitor (Frontiers)
InfoEd Global SPIN Plus
Under Search Tab
o COVID-19/Coronavirus All Resources
o COVID-19/Coronavirus Funding Opportunities
COVID-19 Funding Opportunities relevant to SOM researchers- April 26th [PDF]
Please check the Office of Research website for the most recent copy of this document.

UNC Research Updates

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research Responds to COVID-19

Guidance for Healthcare Facilties

Planning

COVID-19 Workforce Virtual Toolkit: Resources for Healthcare Decision-Makers Responding to COVID-19 Workforce Concerns (USDHHS)
NC AHEC Workforce Surge Planning Playbooks
Covid Staffing Project
Duty to Plan: Health Care, Crisis Standards of Care, and Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (National Academy of Medicine)
Seeking Evidence-Based Covid-19 Preparedness: A FEMA Framework for Clinic Management (NEJM)
Steps Healthcare Facilities Can Take
The true impact of a COVID-19 outbreak in a U.S. community cannot be predicted. However, all healthcare facilities can take steps now to prepare for such an outbreak and protect both their patients and staff.
Hospital Preparedness Checklist for Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Patients
Healthcare Professional Preparedness Checklist For Transport and Arrival of Patients Potentially Infected with COVID-19 (CDC)

Guidance

COVID-19: Guidance for Triage of Non-Emergent Surgical Procedures (American College of Surgeons)
State Guidance on Elective Surgeries (Ambulatory Surgery Center Association)
Interim Guidance for Healthcare Facilities: Preparing for Community Transmission of COVID-19 in the United States
Although it is not possible to predict the future course of the outbreak, planning for a scenario in which many persons become ill and seek care at the same time is an important part of preparedness and can improve outcomes if an outbreak occurs. Therefore, preserving healthcare system functioning is paramount. It is critical for healthcare facilities to continue to provide care for all patients, irrespective of COVID-19 infection status, at the appropriate level (e.g., home-based care, outpatient, urgent care, emergency room, or hospitalization).
CMS Issues Clear, Actionable Guidance to Providers about COVID-19 Virus
Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings (CDC)
Infection control procedures including administrative rules and engineering controls, environmental hygiene, correct work practices, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are all necessary to prevent infections from spreading during healthcare delivery. Prompt detection and effective triage and isolation of potentially infectious patients are essential to prevent unnecessary exposures among patients, healthcare personnel, and visitors at the facility. All healthcare facilities must ensure that their personnel are correctly trained and capable of implementing infection control procedures; individual healthcare personnel should ensure they understand and can adhere to infection control requirements.
Video: COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Video Is your health center ready? (Weitzman Institute)
This video on COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Planning from CHC's Weitzman Institute focuses on the role of FQHC leadership, staff support, and key strategies for preparedness and easing anxiety.

Personal Protective Equipment / Disinfection & Reuse

Personal Protective Equipment Recommendations (CDC)
Patients with confirmed or possible SARS-CoV-2 infection should wear a facemask when being evaluated medically.

Healthcare personnel should adhere to Standard, Contact, and Airborne Precautions, including the use of eye protection (e.g., goggles or a face shield) when caring for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. These precautions include the use of PPE, including NIOSH-approved N95 respirators, gowns, gloves, face shield/eye protection, etc. This includes, but is not limited to, surgical N95 respirators.
Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Protective Equipment (CDC)
Healthcare Professional Preparedness Checklist For Transport and Arrival of Patients Potentially Infected with COVID-19 (CDC)
Checklist for Healthcare Facilities: Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators during the COVID-19 Response
Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators offers a series of strategies or options on how healthcare facilities can optimize supplies of disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirators when there is limited supply availability. This checklist is intended to help healthcare facilities prioritize the implementation of the strategies following the prioritization used in the concept of surge capacity. The strategies are categorized in a continuum of care and further organized according to the hierarchy of controls.
Sequence for Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) [PDF] (CDC)
Three Key Factors Required for a Respirator to be Effective [PDF] (CDC)
Important Steps for Using NIOSH-Approved N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (CDC)
Aerosol and surface stability of HCoV-19 (SARS-CoV-6 2) compared to SARS-CoV-1 (MedRXiv)
Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents (J Hosp Infect)
Consensus of Chinese experts on protection of skin and mucous membrane barrier for healthcare workers fighting against coronavirus disease 2019. (Dermatol Ther)

PPE / Equipment Shortages

Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators: Crisis/Alternate Strategies (CDC)
Recommended Guidance for Extended Use and Limited Reuse of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators in Healthcare Settings (CDC)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supply Equivalents (ECRI)
Best matches for the three most popular exam gloves, disinfecting wipes, isolation gowns, IV solutions, N95 air purifying respirators, shoe covers, and surgical masks, based on key performance indicators (KPIs) and functional equivalence. Proprietary database includes manufacturer name, catalog number, percentage match, median price, and KPI details.
UPDATE: Potential Processes to Eliminate Coronavirus from N95 Masks (APSF)
FAQ on Anesthesia Machine Use, Protection, and Decontamination During the COVID-19 Pandemic (APSF)
Evaluation of Decontamination Techniques for the Reuse of N95 Respirators (COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition) [PDF]
Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Facemasks (CDC)
Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Isolation Gowns (CDC)
Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Eye Protection (CDC)
Nebraska Medicine using UV light to disinfect masks for reuse (KMALand Radio)
As Coronavirus Looms, Mask Shortage Gives Rise to Promising Approach (NY Times)
N95 Filtering Facemask Respirator Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) Process for Decontamination and Reuse (Nebraska Med)
Nebraska Medicine COVID-19 PPE Guidance
Extended Use and Limited Reuse of Disposable Facemasks, Respirators and Protective Eyewear
Self-sanitizing face mask project receives NSF RAPID grant (Northwestern Now)
Baltimore makers unite to create face shields for medical workers during coronavirus pandemic (Baltimore Sun)
A doctor is 3D printing face masks to help meet the desperate need for protective gear (CNN)
A 3D printer company is creating medical face shields for doctors and nurses fighting coronavirus — here's how it works (Business Insider)
Medically approved emergency 3D printed ventilator goes into production (3dnatives.com)
Duke Starts Novel Decontamination of N95 Masks to Help Relieve Shortages (Duke Health)
Training and Fit Testing of Health Care Personnel for Reusable Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirators Compared With Disposable N95 Respirators (JAMA Network)
Mechanical Ventilator Milano (MVM): A Novel Mechanical Ventilator Designed for Mass Scale Production in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemics (arXiv.org)

Patterns

Discontinuation of Precautions and Disposition of Hospitalized Patients

Interim Guidance for Discontinuation of Transmission-Based Precautions and Disposition of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 (CDC)
The decision to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 should be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with clinicians, infection prevention and control specialists, and public health officials. This decision should consider disease severity, illness signs and symptoms, and results of laboratory testing for COVID-19 in respiratory specimens. Guidance for discontinuation of in-home isolation precautions is the same as that to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Considerations to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions include all of the following:
- Resolution of fever, without use of antipyretic medication
- Improvement in illness signs and symptoms
- Negative results of an FDA Emergency Use Authorized molecular assay for COVID-19 from at least two consecutive sets of paired nasopharyngeal and throat swabs specimens collected ≥24 hours apart* (total of four negative specimens—two nasopharyngeal and two throat). See Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) for specimen collection guidance.

Disposition of Hospitalized Patients (CDC)
Patients can be discharged from the healthcare facility whenever clinically indicated. Isolation should be maintained at home if the patient returns home before the decision is made to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions. The decision to send the patient home should be made in consultation with the patient’s clinical care team and local or state public health departments and should include considerations of the home’s suitability for and patient’s ability to adhere to home isolation recommendations, and potential risk of secondary transmission to household members with immunocompromising conditions.

See:

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources