The chairman of the Clinic’s Infections Committee, pathologist Vassilis Mermigas presents to “TAHIDROMO” the actions against the spread of the virus
The ANASSA Clinic in Volos has the possibility of performing molecular tests for COVID-19. Molecular tests are performed both in the context of the pre-operative control of patients who will perform surgical operations or are about to be admitted to the clinic for hospitalization, as well as for those who for some special reasons want to perform a molecular test (for reasons related to their work, people who want to travel, sports teams who need it for their health card, etc.).
Speaking to TAHIDROMOS, Vasilios Mermigas, pathologist and chairman of the Infections Committee of the ANASSA Clinic, talks about the actions and measures of the Clinic in the field of prevention to control the spread of the coronavirus, on the one hand, and on the other hand, he refers to the actions of ANASSA for dealing with the crisis in cooperation with the M.O.H.
Mr Mermiga, regarding the prevention against Covid – 19, what measures has the ANASSA Clinic taken?
From the first days when the guidelines regarding the actions of health providers against Covid-19 were announced by the competent bodies, ANASSA proceeded to implement a full action plan, as well as preventive measures for the specific virus. The plan and actions are based on the instructions of the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Organization (EODY) for Covid-19, in collaboration with the Infections Committee of the ANASSA clinic. It is easy to see that everything we implement and announce is reviewed and re-evaluated, because new data is added very often.
What are the reasons why you took the specific actions?
The main reasons why the following measures have been taken are the following: a) the transmission of the virus from human to human is quite easy, b) the mortality of the infection according to the scientific data to date is quite high, c) the whole of population is not immune.
What are the protective measures you have taken for patients and attendants?
For accompanying patients, our priority is the safety of our patients, but also of our staff!!!
Each accompanying patient is checked at the main entrance of the clinic by specially trained staff members. On-site temperature measurement (use of an infrared thermometer) and information collection are carried out to help identify a possible case of coronavirus.
At the same point of the central entrance of the clinic and after the necessary control, those who meet the conditions to enter are provided with a mask and hands are disinfected both upon entry and upon exit
With regard to the performance of surgical interventions, they are now being served regularly, as well as emergencies with the prescribed precautions and using specialized preventive measures.
For the time we are going through and until further notice, there is a ban on visitors in all departments of the clinic. In any surgical cases deemed necessary, up to one visitor can stay, but he must not have symptoms of infection.
In all areas of the clinic (rooms, waiting areas, corridors) there are hand sanitizers in obvious places.
Also throughout the clinic, spaces and objects are disinfected daily at regular intervals to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
There is the possibility of patients communicating, as long as their condition allows it, with their relatives, through the use of tablets and online applications, e.g. Skype.
What measures were taken for staff members?
It is the clinic’s top priority that its people are healthy and safe on the front lines so they can provide their valuable services.
Each partner and employee is checked at the main entrance of the clinic with an on-site temperature measurement and collection of information that may identify a possible case of coronavirus, while they are provided with a mask and hand disinfection follows. All employees, in all departments of the ANASSA Clinic and Polyclinic, have been informed and have received specific instructions regarding the personal protection measures they must apply, e.g. use of gloves, mask, antiseptic and disinfectant protective means.
The clinic and staff are equipped with special equipment in case they may be called upon to manage a case of coronavirus.
I emphasize that there are prevention and transmission control measures during the management of a suspected incident as well as a special action plan in case of possible staff exposure to the virus.
Are there some groups of patients, for whom you have taken even stricter measures?
There are groups of patients for whom, in addition to what applies, some additional measures concerning oncology patients and patients who use the Artificial Kidney Unit have been foreseen. We therefore inform you that, with regard to the group of oncology patients, therapeutic interventions continue as normal, taking the necessary precautionary measures for this particular vulnerable group of patients. In the same way, the clinical activity of the patients who use the services of the Artificial Kidney Unit of ANASSA continues.
Has the ANASSA clinic taken measures to deal with the health crisis in collaboration with the E.S.Y.?
ANASSA has made available to the National Health System two beds of the Intensive Care Unit it has, proving in practice the complementary role of the private sector in providing health services to the public health system, so that the E.S.Y. to be able to cope with the demanding task of controlling the pandemic.
Has the ANASSA Polyclinic suspended its operation due to coronavirus?
The operation of the ANASSA Polyclinic was suspended on November 2, 80 B, as scheduled outpatient services had stopped, but it is now operating with all the prescribed precautions and preventive measures against the virus, as are all the departments of the clinic.
Do you test for the coronavirus at the clinic?
Of course. At ANASSA, we carry out molecular tests, which we have included in the necessary pre-operative control of patients who will perform surgical operations or are about to be admitted to the clinic for hospitalization.
Also, interested parties not related to admission to the clinic or for surgery, who want for some special reasons to carry out a molecular test, are also served. E.g. reasons related to their work, people who want to travel, sports teams who need it for their health card, etc.
Has it been difficult to carry out all these actions?
All of the above require specialized knowledge, composure and very good coordination of health professionals working in various services of the Clinic, e.g. doctors, nursing, technological, administrative, support staff. We attach particular importance to the use of specific protocols, to ensuring the adequacy of materials and also to the use of materials of special specifications. We consider it extremely important to follow the guidelines for the processing of personal data in the context of Covid-19 management.
VASSO KYRIAZI
Source: https://www.taxydromos.gr/Topika/369438-moriaka-test-sthn-anassa-gia-koronoio.html