Management of suspected COVID-19 patients in a low prevalence region

Chron Respir Dis. 2020 Jan-Dec:17:1479973120961843. doi: 10.1177/1479973120961843.

Abstract

The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection among population has imposed a re-organization of healthcare services, aiming at stratifying patients and dedicating specific areas where patients with suspected COVID-related respiratory disease could receive the necessary health care assistance while waiting for the confirmation of the diagnosis of COVID-19 disease. In this scenario, the pathway defined as a "grey zone" is strongly advocated. We describe the application of rules and pathways in a regional context with low diffusion of the infection among the general population in the attempt to provide the best care to respiratory patients with suspected COVID-19. To date, this process has avoided the worst-case scenario of intra-hospital epidemic outbreak.

Keywords: COVID-19; health-care management; respiratory symptoms.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques / methods
  • Coronavirus Infections* / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections* / drug therapy
  • Coronavirus Infections* / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections* / prevention & control
  • Coronavirus Infections* / therapy
  • Critical Pathways / trends*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods*
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Organizational Innovation
  • Pandemics* / prevention & control
  • Patient Care Management* / organization & administration
  • Patient Care Management* / standards
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / therapy
  • Prevalence
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / diagnosis*
  • SARS-CoV-2