Περίληψη:
Background: After the first case of infection with the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, in China, an outbreak rapidly spread, finally evolving into a global pandemic. The new disease was named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and by May 10, 2020, it has affected more than 4 million people worldwide and caused more than 270,000 deaths. Methods: We describe the Greek experience regarding the response to COVID-19, with particular focus on 2 COVID-19 reference hospitals in the metropolitan area of Athens, the capital of Greece. Results: The first case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Greece was reported on February 26, 2020, and prompted a decisive response from the Greek government. The primary focus was containment of virus spread, considering shortage of ICU beds. A general lockdown was implemented early on, and the national Health Care System underwent massive re-structuring. Our 2 gastrointestinal (GI) centers, which provide care for more than 1500 inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, are located in hospitals that were transformed to COVID-19 reference centers. To maintain sufficient care for our patients, while also contributing to the fight against COVID-19, we undertook specific measures. These included provision of telemedicine services, electronic prescriptions and home delivery of medications, isolation of infusion units and IBD clinics in COVID-free zones of the hospitals, in addition to limiting endoscopies to emergencies only. Such practices allowed us to avoid interruption of appropriate therapies for IBD patients. In fact, within the SECURE-IBD database, there have been only 4 Greek IBD patients, to date, who have been reported as positive for SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion: Timely application of preventive measures and strict compliance to guidelines limited the spread of COVID-19 in Greece and minimally impacted our IBD community, without interfering with therapeutic management. © 2020 Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
Συγγραφείς:
Bamias, G.
Lagou, S.
Gizis, M.
Karampekos, G.
Kyriakoulis, K.G.
Pontas, C.
Mantzaris, G.J.
Λέξεις-κλειδιά:
Article; coronavirus disease 2019; digestive tract endoscopy; electronic prescribing; government; Greece; health care availability; health care planning; health care system; home quarantine; hospital bed capacity; human; inflammatory bowel disease; intensive care unit; isolation facility; patient care; practice guideline; priority journal; publication; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; telemedicine; urban area; virus transmission; adult; case report; civil defense; communicable disease; communicable disease control; Coronavirus infection; female; health care delivery; hospital; inflammatory bowel disease; organization and management; pandemic; risk assessment; severe acute respiratory syndrome; urban population; virus pneumonia, Adult; Civil Defense; Communicable Disease Control; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Coronavirus Infections; Delivery of Health Care; Female; Greece; Hospitals, Special; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Risk Assessment; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; Urban Population
