Abstract: Objective To summarize the nursing experience of psychiatric inpatient department in response to COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control. Methods From January 21th 2020 to February 29th 2020, we summarize the nursing experience in psychiatric inpatient department during the outbreak of COVID - 19. During this public health emergency, the admission indications of patients and accompanying visits were strictly controlled to prevent unnecessary gathering; temperature monitoring and epidemiological history survey were conducted to prevent epidemic input; the inpatients were treated in different areas and protected in different levels to prevent in-hospital cross infection; dynamic epidemic prevention and control was carried out through formulating the process of epidemic screening in psychiatric department and the first and daily screening; prevention and control measures including adjusting the work flow of in-patient transport, special treatment and medication, rehabilitation management inside and outside the hospital were implemented; various forms of health education and psychological support for epidemic prevention and control were provided to enhance the awareness and compliance of inpatients. At the same time of epidemic prevention and control, we strictly implemented the core nursing systems including psychiatric nursing risk management, patrol system and hierarchical nursing to ensure the safety of patients. Results There were 421 inpatients per day in inpatient psychiatric department and a total of 16,840 cases were screened for COVID-19 for the first time and daily screening, with a screening rate of 100%. There were 506 cases of patients transported; no suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases were found and no nosocomial cross-infection occurred. There were no nursing safety incidents such as suicide, accidents or leaving hospital without authorization. Conclusion Nursing management in inpatient psychiatric department in response to COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control are effective and practicable.

Key words: COVID-19, public health event, psychiatry department, nursing management