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Reduction in the Isolation Period for Patient with Confirmed COVID-19 Infection

Type
Guides/Guidelines
The new recommended isolation period for patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection is reduced from 14 to 10 days. This recommendation is based on evidence that most patients with a mild COVID-19 infection continue to shed the virus from their upper airways for approximately 7-12 days. Furthermore, the presence of detectable virus when testing does not necessarily imply infectiousness. It has been proven that in mild cases, virus cultures are generally only positive for 8-9 days after symptom onset. The duration of infectiousness in patients with severe disease (i.e.

Recommendations on the Management of Antiretrovirals in 2021

Type
Health Circulars

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted South Africa's health systems and product supply in 2020. Firstline treatment regimens of TEE (tenofovir/ emtricitabine/ efavirenz) and TLD (tenofovir/ lamivudine /dolutegravir) were particularly impacted. Through careful management of suppliers and active stock monitoring under the Affordable Medicine Directorate (AMD) leadership, there are no further supply constraints anticipated in the short to mid-term. The table below highlights healthy stock and pipeline levels, especially for TLD.

Recommendations for the Rational Use of Abacavir (ABC) 600mg/Lamivudine (3TC) 300mg and Zidovudine (AZT) 300mg/3TC 150mg Dual Formulation

Type
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
The contracted supplier of Abacavir (ABC) 600mg/Lamivudine (3TC} 300mg and Zidovudine (AZT) 300mg/3TC 150mg dual formulation tablets is unable to meet its contractual obligation due to an ongoing global shortage of 3TC, which has resulted in supply challenges. The contracted supplier is acquiring limited supplies of these agents using alternative methods. However, due to the current supply constraints, rational use of these medicines and appropriate monitoring is recommended by all provinces and health care facilities until the supply is fully restored.

Recommendation for the use of Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Severe COVID-19

Type
Guides/Guidelines
On 19 June 2020, the National Department of Health released a statement titled, Follow up statement on Dexamethasone by the Minister of Health. The statement summarised the outcomes of the Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 therapy (RECOVER) Trial, which reported benefit from the use of Dexamethasone in the patients with severe COVID-19. Based on the available results of the RECOVERY Trial, Dexamethasone is recommended in COVID-19 patients who require respiratory support only (i.e. those requiring ventilation or other forms of oxygen therapy).

Quality Improvement Guide

Type
Guides/Guidelines
The Quality Improvement (QI) Guide aims to encourage a shared understanding and approach to quality improvement across all health establishments. Together with the National Core Standards, the tools provided in this QI Guide aim to assist quality coordinators, managers and supervisors of both hospitals and clinics to ensure quality of care in our health care delivery system.

QA Guidelines

Type
Guides/Guidelines
The implementation of the national HIV rapid testing QA program has been guided mainly  by  normative  guidance  and  recommendations  from  WHO  Agencies  and  the CDC. This guideline provides the basis for the implementation in this country of the QA programs around HIV rapid testing as HIV and AIDS intervention programs continue to expand.

Primary Healthcare (PHC) Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) and Essential Medicines List (EML) 7th edition - 2020

Type
Guides/Guidelines

The Primary Healthcare (PHC) EML and STGs allow for the management of patients with relatively common conditions at primary level of care. They also guide referral of patients with more complex or uncommon conditions to facilities with the skills and resources to provide further investigation and management. As such, they serve as a progression to Adult and Paediatric hospital level EMLs and STGs. The PHC STGs and EML should be used by healthcare workers providing care at clinics, community health centres, and gateway clinics at hospitals.

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COVID-19 training and resources for health care workers

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Switching Stable 1st and 2nd Line ART Clients to DTG Containing Regimen

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Access the latest information on the management of clients on TLD and guidance on switching of stable second-line clients to the DTG-containing regimen.

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