Guideline for the diagnosis and clinical management of suspected novel coronavirus pneumonia in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University (2020 v.1)

The key of novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) management is early detection, early diagnosis, early isolation, early treatment based on 'the diagnosis and treatment of new coronavirus pneumonia' (v5) according of National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. The management of NCP suspected cases is to avoid missed diagnosis, improve treatment rate, avoid delay in diagnosis and prevent infection. However, observation, isolation conditions, admission criteria, discharge criteria remain unclear. Learning from practice, the clinical symptom and the ground glass changes on chest CT scan appeared earlier than the positive for RT-PCR test in some cases. Repeat testing is recommended in clinical suspected cases with an initially negative result of nasopharyngeal swab samples. And the sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR testing need to be verified. The clinical NCP suspected cases should be admitted in hospital with isolation and management. During the stay in the hospital, we suggest to repeat testing the samples of nasopharyngeal swab, sputum, feces, blood, lower respiratory secretions and alveolar lavage fluids, if allowed. The discharge criteria of these patients are similar to the NCP confirmed cases. To ensure that discharged patients do not carry the virus, to achieve the dual safety of patients and the community.