At home: Emmi betrayed: the PCR test for treatments must be performed in surgeries

They have been in force for over a day and a half, but in the absence of adequate information, the vast majority of specialized clinics in Hungary are still unable to apply the new rules related to the restart of medical care ordered by the Minister of Human Resources last week.

Miklós Kásler, as we write, in the last hours before the long weekend, Thursday night, informed health care providers of the conditions under which patient care, which has been limited to emergencies since on March 16, it can resume from May 4. In addition to the introduction of an improved hygiene and pretreatment system, the Minister intervenes in certain PCR (i.e. respiratory) coronavirus tests and negative results (the procedure for dental interventions has already changed, not all who undergo A dental piercing should undergo testing, only suspected infection.) The latter included, among other things, an otolaryngology order, but service providers have not known where and how the required COVID-19 test can be performed since then, although Thursday’s ministerial letter promised more information no later than Monday. . information.

In our Tuesday morning article, based on Monday conditions, we report the total drawbacks we experienced at dozens of GPs and specialty clinics in the country after asking about conditional testing, and that didn’t change until Tuesday by Afternoon: We try to report dozens of places as tonsillitis patients. With one exception, we can hardly find a health care provider where they would not have responded with one of the formulas “I’m sorry, we don’t have any information yet”, “don’t be mad, I can’t say anything” or “very good question, we’ve been investigating this for two days. “

There was a specialist in the capital whose receptionist hit us with irritation, out loud, that we are one hundred and eighty, who asks today, but then cannot say it, and there was a larynx where the doctor himself came to the office three hours before. to begin researching what to tell their patients, but was unable to find out who, where, and how they will pre-assess patients.

A specialized clinic at the center was asked before changing if we had been abroad or if we had encountered a patient with coronavirus, but the specialist could only regret that he could not receive anyone until he knew where and how it would be performed. the proof. And in most districts and large rural cities, they were asked to ask again next week because “maybe something will be revealed by then.” At the moment, the office of the Újpest specialist also states on its website that “we are awaiting a clear statement from the Minister of Human Resources on whether to link the tests to a negative PCR test.” Until that came, however, the larynx, essentially vomiting with the new recipe, kindly told us to go easy because we would be examined without proof.

Elsewhere, several specialists have suggested that we contact our GP and he or she should start a PCR test. However, under the current procedure, the GP may only prescribe it to patients with suspected coronaviruses (and also on the basis of a fairly outdated set of criteria, in which, in addition to upper respiratory tract symptoms, a of the main considerations is if you have been abroad or if you have had a COVID-19 infection).

While investigating the contact details of a specialized clinic in Miskolc, we were delighted to see a “COVID-19 order” listed: however, laryngologists regretted not carrying out the PCR tests prescribed in the ministerial order, but testing those who attended Semmelweis University last week. launched a national coronavirus test.

There are places where it already works

Of the almost two dozen institutions we found, we found only one where the new system seemed to be operational: the XX. At a district clinic the next morning, we could have made an appointment for a PCR test to enroll in an ENT order with a negative result. We were unable to find out where this institution was informed or what the new system could have started if the others had not. On the other hand, the sample is taken locally in a newly designed room in the specialized clinic, and the result would be after 24-72 hours; You can then call the larynx for an appointment, where they will receive you depending on the workload at the time. This, in turn, raises new questions: If we were to do the test on Wednesday and have a date for Friday with the result, say next Tuesday, what guarantees that we were not infected within seven days of sampling? Does the evidence make sense this way?

The last question was also sent to operational personnel and the Ministry of Human Resources on Tuesday, requesting practical information. We did not receive a response from the former, but from the press chief of the ministry on Tuesday afternoon: “A negative PCR finding significantly reduces the risk of performing a planned intervention on a sick person.”

László Kresz wrote about how sampling

In non-dental cases, the outpatient clinic or hospital performing the procedure must organize the sampling and the results of the PCR tests will be completed within 24 hours after receipt by the laboratory.

When asked how many days a negative test is valid and how many days someone participating in a series of appropriate treatments needs to be evaluated, however, we received only a partial response: Emmi’s spokesperson did not write about the time limit, but For prolonged treatment, the doctor was competent if you repeat the test.

Regarding the financing of the tests, László Kresz reiterated what Miklós Kásler said in Parliament on Monday, that is, that in the case of a provider financed with public funds, the examination is covered by the Health Insurance Fund, the patient does not have to pay it, but in private order the provider assumes the cost. .

To ask why one test is sufficient when epidemiologists repeatedly recommend two to confirm infection-free status, the spokesperson wrote that according to the protocol, only two are needed to declare a patient cured.

Regarding the detection of dental patients, the press officer referred to the recommendation of the Department of Dental and Oral Diseases of the Professional College of Health published on Monday night, according to which a PCR test is required only in patients with suspected coronavirus, regardless of treatment. If, on the other hand, a patient awaiting dental intervention is classified as a coronavirus suspect, you should inform your GP, who will notify the ambulance as usual.

According to László Kresz, the prescribed PCR tests for specialized clinics will be performed by designated laboratories based on the NNK’s decision, but he doesn’t have much idea about the continuation he wrote that

its capacity exceeds the expected load.