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Create one ‘workgroup‘to respond to non-covid-19 patients, have’ covid-19 free ‘hospital units and develop an epidemiological surveillance system that brings together more sources of information to have a “panoramic view and adequate knowledge” about seasonal risk, its evolution , distribution by countries and impact on the SNS, are some of the measures provided for in the Health Plan for autumn-winter, of the General Directorate of Health (DGS), released this Monday.
According to the plan, the preparation of epidemiological risk maps is already under way, defining different levels, in order to guarantee the “adequacy and proportionality of the measures to the real risk of each region or locality”, as well as the “rapid implementation “of the measurements. corresponding to each level of risk. To improve epidemiological surveillance, the DGS also plans to strengthen and train multidisciplinary teams, “which include health professionals, academics and professionals from other areas of knowledge, for an effective risk analysis.”
The DGS document is based on three main pillars: the response to seasonal risk that includes covid-19, the guarantee of non-covid care response and a series of specific measures in terms of communication and literacy.
Regarding the response to seasonal risk, which combines flu with covid-19, DGS anticipates rstrengthen the public health response, especially in outbreak situations; plan vaccination against influenza and covid, “as soon as the vaccine is available”; and adapt the national laboratory testing strategy for SARS-CoV-2 against the influenza epidemic. According to the plan, the stocks and strategic reserve of medicines, medical devices, personal protective equipment and laboratory tests will be strengthened; in addition to a commitment to “consolidate the intervention plan in residential structures for the elderly”.
Recalling that the management of suspected cases of covid-19 “implies the upstream management of all suspected cases of acute respiratory infection, whose differential diagnosis includes, among others, infection by SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus”, DGS is reviewing the definition of a suspected case and the criteria for discharge and end of isolation.
The goal of the suspected case review is to integrate what the DGS calls “useful discriminators” for the diagnosis of covid and other circulating seasonal respiratory viruses, namely influenza. Regarding the review of the criteria for discharge / end of isolation, including “early” discharge from hospital units, the DGS explains that “the latest scientific evidence” on the virus will be integrated.
As for the use of the mask, according to the document, its use is still mandatory for people over 10 years of age “in closed public spaces.” But its use is recommended “in any open or closed space provided that the minimum physical distance of two meters is not guaranteed”. In addition, the plan calls for the use of certified community masks to be encouraged, “not only to avoid the shortage of surgical masks in health units, but also in the name of environmental sustainability.”
For patients without covidity
To ensure that health services respond to patients who do not suffer from covid, a ‘workgroup‘, made up of elements from each Regional Health Administration and which will depend on the Ministry of Health. It is based on a “commitment to the maximum response in primary health care, with face-to-face, face-to-face and home care, as well as proximity, including the dispensing of medicines.”
This structure will define and ensure the execution of a contingency plan for the adaptation of the programmed activity “no covid-19”, according to “clinical, quality and safety criteria, and efficient management, adaptable at the local level”. In other words, it will define “user selection criteria whose monitoring can be ensured, at least partially, through teleconsultation and telemonitoring”.
The plan also foresees defining “covid-19-free” hospital units, to avoid “the degradation of access in situations of significant epidemic growth”, as well as to continue the expansion of home hospitalization.
Regarding the measures of the communication plan, the importance of the entire population knowing the prevention and control measures, as well as the measures provided for in this Plan, is highlighted. Encouraging the use of the StayAway Covid application and contact through the SNS 24 line are also part of this set of measures.
