Protective measures against COVID-19
Protective measures
Protective measures against SARS‑CoV‑2
All practices and processes applied by the Group hospitals demonstrate our transparent commitment to continue improving the quality and safety of the care provided to our patients.
From the very first moment the first coronavirus case was identified in Greece, our hospitals responded immediately, implementing all the necessary measures to safeguard their facilities, protecting the health of their patients and employees.
Infection Control Committee
Assisted by the competent Infection Control Committee (ICC), at MITERA we apply all the approved operational rules and safety protocols, strictly taking into account the guidelines issued by the National Public Health Organization (NPHO), the Greek Ministry of Health and international organizations.
Guided by distinguished infectious disease specialists, the ICC ensures continuous updates regarding the developments with COVID-19, actively contributes in overseeing and organizing safety protocols, and remains on alert when it comes to monitoring the seamless and safe operation of the Hospital. It mainly focuses on ensuring that all the hospital departments work closely together and the staff receive continuous updates and training.
Protective mask
The use of the protective mask is mandatory in the following cases:
- By healthcare personnel when in contact with high-risk patients (haematological, oncological and immunosuppressed patients, pregnant and lactating women, kidney patients, patients of the Intensive Care Units “ICU, NICU & ICU Pediatric Cardiosurgical”) and when they show symptoms of respiratory infection and/or symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection
- From visitors / carers of high-risk patients
- From patients belonging to high-risk groups when they are in waiting areas or receiving treatment in areas with other patients (e.g. hemodialysis unit, day treatment unit);
- Patients with symptoms of respiratory infection and/or symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection.
Τhe Infection Control Committee ensures continuous updates regarding the developments with COVID-19, actively contributes in overseeing and organizing safety protocols, and remains on alert when it comes to monitoring the seamless and safe operation of the Hospital.
Patients
Rapid antigen test is required in all adult patients who will be admitted to the hospital.
The antigen test (rapid test) is repeated upon symptoms of respiratory infection and/or symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection. In the event of a negative result, further testing is carried out at the discretion of the attending physician.
For patients who come for an examination to the Emergency Department, the doctor will decide during the clinical examination if it is necessary and which rapid diagnostic test will be applied (e.g. COVID-19, flu, etc.)
Ιf five days have passed since the patient’s admission and it is required to undergo surgery, the rapid test is repeated.
For the admission of patients to the Οne day treatment Unit, a 24-hour rapid test is required, which takes several days treatments are repeated every five days. For outpatient ICU admission, molecular testing is required.Unstable patients who are already hospitalized at MITERA Hospital and need immediate transfer to the ICU, an antigen test (rapid) and a rapid molecular test are performed. The patient is transported immediately in the ICU with measures pending the results. In the other cases a rapid molecular test is performed (no antigen test required) and the patient transferred to the ICU after receiving the result.
All pediatric patients with respiratory symptoms aged > 2 years, they come to the Emergency Department area with a face mask and without having rapid test for COVID-19 at ISOBOX. After screening and during examination, the physician will decide if and which rapid diagnostic is required test will apply (e.g. COVID-19, flu, etc.).
Children < 2 years old are not required to wear a mask during their stay in the Emergency Department. Special care will be taken to ensure that infants <12 months are not paired with older children children if it is possible.
The directive to carry out tests for COVID-19 in patients in case remains in place admission to pediatric departments.
On symptomatic patients who are about to undergo a gastroscopy,bronchoscopy, spirometry, exercise test/ergobike, the doctor will decides during the clinical examination whether and which rapid diagnostic test is required (e.g. COVID-19, flu, etc.)
Carers/Visitors
One carer per shift is allowed, without performing an antigen test (rapid test). Visitors are NOT allowed to those who show symptoms of infection respiratory.
The use of a mask is mandatory for attendants who visit high-risk patients (haematological, oncological and immunosuppressed patients, pregnant and lactating women, kidney patients, patients of the Intensive Care Units “ICU, NICU & ICU Pediatric Cardiosurgical”)
Measures for staff
Healthcare staff
Healthcare personnel are screened with a rapid test when they show symptoms of a respiratory infection or symptoms compatible with COVID-19.
Dedicated nurses
Dedicated nurses are not allowed to provide their services whenpresent symptoms of respiratory infection and/or symptoms compatible with COVID 19 infection. The use of a mask is mandatory.