Equipping the Team
Equipping the team for COVID-19 should focus on the technical/scientific supplies, as well as the operational and the safety (e.g. PPE) supplies. Below is a sample equipment list for COVID-19 RRT members deploying to the field. This list should be adapted to the local/national guidance as well as to the context of the COVID-19 response in the country. Extra check boxes have been added to encourage adaptation. The different categories generally align with specific roles on the team, but some overlap is expected. When adapting the list, consider what materials may be available for procurement in the field versus what needs to be procured from headquarters and carried by the RRT to the field. Please see sample equipment
Sample equipment checklist for deploying COVID-19 RRT members
Team Overall
check square light icon List of key contacts (local officials, external partners, national stakeholders, etc.)
check square light icon Most recent situation report (ensure it is regularly received)
check square light icon Money to finance team activities
check square light icon Map (if available) and list of healthcare facilities, by type
check square light icon Mobile phone with sufficient credit to stay in contact with team members and emergency coordination unit
Epidemiology
check square light icon National guidelines for COVID-19 response (WHO/CDC guidelines where national guidelines are not available)
check square light icon National data to reference/comparison with local data (if national COVID-19 RRT)
check square light icon Computer with data analysis software (MS Excel©, EpiInfo, etc.)
check square light icon Copies of COVID-19 RRT surveillance/epidemiology training materials (printed and electronic copies)
check square light icon Standardized line list templates with key variables (printed and electronic copies)
check square light icon Hospital patient registers with key variables
check square light icon Case definitions (printed and electronic copies)
check square light icon Case investigation forms (printed and electronic copies)
check square light icon Notebook and writing utensils
check square light icon Camera, to take photos of hand-written line lists or other documents for later analysis
check square light icon GPS for healthcare facility coordinates
Laboratory
check square light icon National guidelines for laboratory protocols and testing (if don’t exist, include WHO protocols)
check square light icon Sample collection job aids
check square light icon Laboratory training materials (printed and electronic copies)
check square light icon Laboratory request form
check square light icon Gloves
check square light icon N95 masks
check square light icon Gowns
check square light icon Face shields
check square light icon Head covers/shoe covers if collecting samples
check square light icon Specimen collection supplies (swabs, sterile transport tubes, sterile saline, sputum collection cup – may vary depending on type of test administered)
check square light icon Transport media
check square light icon Cold packs/cooler (per assay requirements)
check square light icon Specimen collection bags
check square light icon Laboratory coats (disposable if appropriate)
check square light icon Permanent markers
check square light icon Laboratory tape/labels
check square light icon Packaging and shipping materials
Infection Prevention and Control
check square light icon Surgical masks and respirators (e.g. N95 mask)
check square light icon Face shields or goggles
check square light icon Gloves
check square light icon Gowns
check square light icon Other PPE per national guidelines
check square light icon Alcohol-based hand rub (if available)
check square light icon Soap
check square light icon Handwashing stations with covers and spigots
check square light icon Healthcare facility evaluation checklist
check square light icon Social mobilization/information education and communication materials
check square light icon Cleaning and disinfection supplies (e.g. bucket, cloths, 0.1% sodium hypochlorite or other disinfectant, 0.5% chlorine for large spills)
Case Management – Patient Care
check square light icon Medications for disease treatment (per local and/or national guidelines)
check square light icon Medical supplies for patient treatment (e.g. needles, intravenous tubing, oxygen tubing, oxygen tanks, etc.)
check square light icon Supplies to assess patient status (e.g. pulse oximeter, blood pressure cuff, etc.)
Case Management – Health Facility
check square light icon National guidelines for COVID-19 clinical care, healthcare facilities, etc.
check square light icon RRT case management training materials (printed and electronic copies)
check square light icon Clinical care posters/media for healthcare facility staff
check square light icon Case investigation forms (printed and electronic copies)
Social Mobilization/Risk Communication- Household/ Community
check square light icon Brochures, factsheets, posters specific to COVID-19
check square light icon Health education/health promotion materials for distribution
check square light icon Information on access to nearest healthcare facility and pharmacies
check square light icon Megaphone
check square light icon Photo and video equipment (per local guidance and attitudes toward photography and filming) including lenses, batteries, chargers, memory cards, and storage for media
check square light icon Awareness of recent/historical events impacting a community’s willingness and ability to engage in preventative behaviors
check square light icon Risk communication materials developed for previous outbreaks to be used as reference
Social Mobilization/Risk Communication – Health Facility
check square light icon National guidelines for outbreak response
check square light icon Patient management posters for COVID-19
check square light icon Educational posters and/or pamphlets for patients, caregivers, and contacts (if appropriate)
check square light icon Awareness of recent/historical events impacting health facility staff and patients (e.g. shortages of PPE in the area)
