TICA's Knowledge Bank on Covid-19

Narumol Sawanpanyalert, M.D. Chief of Medical Emergency Response Unit, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand   Synopsis: This talk touches upon clinical case management of COVID-19 in Thailand. How Ministry of Public Health of Thailand designs Clinical Practice Guideline or CPG to be commonly used in the country. Dr. Narumol Sawanpanyalert, who is the Chief of Medical Emergency Response Unit, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, introduces us to the updated CPG of Thailand, which have been modified effectively through time in order to keep up with the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. The use of the combination of medicines in the CPG is mentioned, especially the use of Favipiravir that seems to be the successful remedy to cure COVID-19 patients in Thailand.   For the mentioned Youtube video, “The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do” by the German animation studio and popular YouTube channel, Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, please click on the link below. The video is published to give us a visual explanation of COVID-19 and is made possible for viewing through the courtesy of kurzgesagt.org.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtN-g...

Narumol Sawanpanyalert, M.D. Chief of Medical Emergency Response Unit, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand Synopsis: This talk touches upon clinical case management of COVID-19 in Thailand. How Ministry of Public Health of Thailand designs Clinical Practice Guideline or CPG to be commonly used in the country. Dr. Narumol Sawanpanyalert, who is the Chief of Medical Emergency Response Unit, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, introduces us to the updated CPG of Thailand, which have been modified effectively through time in order to keep up with the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. The use of the combination of medicines in the CPG is mentioned, especially the use of Favipiravir that seems to be the successful remedy to cure COVID-19 patients in Thailand.   For the mentioned Youtube video, “The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do” by the German animation studio and popular YouTube channel, Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, please click on the link below. The video is published to give us a visual explanation of COVID-19 and is made possible for viewing through the courtesy of kurzgesagt.org.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtN-g...

Asst. Prof. Kulapong Jayanama, M.D. is a lecturer and physician in internal medicine and clinical nutrition at Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.   Synopsis: This talk touches upon management of severe COVID-19 cases in Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute (CNMI), which is a medical institute of the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University and will become the main facility for training medical students in 2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CNMI was used as an isolation facility for COVID-19 patients who were transferred from the main Ramathibodi Hospital. Asst. Prof. Kulapong Jayanama, M.D., who works in internal medicine and clinical nutrition at CNMI, shares his experience in medical care of patients with COVID-19. Dr. Kulapong raises two aspects in management of severe COVID-19 cases, which are Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) management and nutritional management. Also, pressure ulcer is a complication in severe COVID-19 patients that should be concerned.

Dr. Chawetsan Namwat Director of Field Epidemiology Training and Chief of Operation Section, Emergency Operation Centers, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand   Synopsis: This talk touches upon prevention and control of COVID-19 in Thailand. How Ministry of Public Health of Thailand deals with the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Dr. Chawetsan Namwat, who is the Chief of Operation Section, Emergency Operation Centers, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, shares the information that the Department of Disease Control has collected since the beginning of COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand, such as number of cases and deaths found in Thailand, and number of PCR tests according to each hospital. Thailand implemented the lock down that leads to the closure of some public places, such as schools, work places, and department stores. Curfew is set for all areas, and hotel quarantine is required for those who return from abroad.

Sirawat Srichatrapimuk, M.D. is a chairman of prevention and control of infection committee, Ramadhibodi Chakri Naruebodindra Hospital.  Lecturer and full time staff of Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University. Suppachok Kirdlarp, M.D. is working as an internal medicine and infectious disease specialist at Ramadibodi Chakri Naruebodindra Hospital. He is also one of the hospital infection and prevention control committee and the leader of antibiotic stewardship program of the hospital. Synopsis: This talk touches upon hospital infection control of COVID-19 in Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute (CNMI), which is a medical institute of the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University and will become the main facility for training medical students in 2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CNMI was used as an isolation facility for COVID-19 patients who were transferred from the main Ramathibodi Hospital. Sirawat Srichatrapimuk, M.D. and Suppachok Kirdlarp, M.D., who are in the infection control team of CNMI, emphasize on area and equipment management of CNMI, especially in cohort ward. Dr. Sirawat and Dr. Suppachok explain how CNMI designs their cohort wards to facilitate COVID-19 patients as well as healthcare personnel who take care of the patients. For example, installing High Efficiency Particulate Air filter and exhaust fans to create a unique directional airflow in cohort ward, and setting up a computer with camera in each patients’ room for telemedicine. They also spotlights the importance of medical devices and supplies that include personal protective equipment (PPE).

Dr. Dhanesh Pitidhammabhorn B.Sc. (Hons.), M.D. (Hons), Ph.D. is Chairman of Facility Management and Safety Committee and lecturer in Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University.   Synopsis: Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute (CNMI) is a medical institute of the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, which will become the main facility for training medical students in 2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CNMI was used as an isolation facility for COVID-19 patients who were transferred from the main Ramathibodi Hospital. Dhanesh Pitidhammabhorn, M.D., who is in charge of the facility management of CNMI, led us to visit CNMI’s Premium Clinic that is prepared for facilitating COVID-19 cases. Dr. Dhanesh introduced us to the ARI clinic on the 2nd floor, the modular swab unit in front of the building, and the cohort ward and the ICU ward on the 4th floor. The cohort ward is used to take care of mild to moderate COVID-19 cases. Ventilation and air pressure need to be controlled in the whole ward, particularly in the patients’ rooms. The ICU ward is used to take care of severe COVID-19 patients. The patients have to be in negative pressure rooms with a pressure monitor in front of each room to strictly control pressure inside the rooms.

Thananya Wongsinin, M.D. is a lecturer and consultant neurologist at Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University.   Kanin Thammavaranucupt, M.D. is a lecturer and full-time physician in internal medicine and clinical nephrology at Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University. Synopsis: This talk touches upon interesting points of COVID-19 management in Thailand of Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute (CNMI), which is a medical institute of the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University and will become the main facility for training medical students in 2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CNMI was used as an isolation facility for COVID-19 patients who were transferred from the main Ramathibodi Hospital. Thananya Wongsinin, M.D. and Kanin Thammavaranucupt, M.D., who are the representatives of the CNMI’s COVID-19 front line team, share their experience about how to do medical care for COVID-19 patients in CNMI. Dr. Thananya and Dr. Kanin give details about COVID-19 clinical manifestations, care plan for COVID-19 of CNMI, and the arrangement of CNMI’s cohort ward for COVID-19 patients. They also give prominence to early detection that helps reduce the severity of COVID-19 cases, so that they can properly manage the patients at the right time.

Associate Professor Pongdhep Theerawit, M.D. is a specialist in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, lecturer and full time staff in the Department of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University, and now serving the committee on Thai Board Examination of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Critical Care Curriculum. His supervision is to supervise the residents in Internal Medicine and the fellows in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine for research development, medical services and academic activities in Pulmonary and Critical Care Division.   Synopsis: This talk touches upon management of severe COVID-19 cases in Ramathibodi Hospital. Assoc. Prof. Pongdhep Theerawit, M.D., who is the Chair of Critical Care and Intermediate Care Services Committee of Ramathibodi Hospital, gives recommendations on what medical personnel should do to properly manage with severe COVID-19 patients. Early intubation and sedation are required. In addition, mechanical ventilator settings, prone positioning, and adjuvant therapies are also necessary.

Asst. Prof. Kumthorn Malathum, M.D. is the Deputy Director of Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University and the President of the Infectious Disease Association of Thailand. Synopsis: This talk touches upon hospital infection prevention and control of COVID-19 in Thailand and how healthcare workers in Thailand deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. Kumthorn Malathum, M.D., who is an Assistant Professor of Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital and the president of the Infectious Disease Association of Thailand, gives details about symptom recognition of COVID-19, concept of COVID-19 transmission, and isolation room design for COVID-19 patients. Not only this, Dr. Kumthorn also spotlights the proper use of personal protective equipment or PPE, including surgical masks, N95 masks and coveralls.

Health Services in Thailand: Covid-19 by Dr. Narumol Sawanpanyalert