COVID 19: protection measures

Our key priority is to provide services that safeguard the health of our patients. All practices and processes applied by the hospitals of the HYGEIA Group, in conjunction with the JCI international accreditation of HYGEIA Hospital, demonstrate our commitment to continue to improve the safety and the quality of the care provided to our patients.

From the moment the first coronavirus case was identified in Greece, the hospitals of the HYGEIA Group reacted immediately, implementing all the necessary measures in order to safeguard their facilities, thus protecting the health of their patients and employees.

The following protective measures are in place, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization, the Greek state and the National Public Health Organization (NPHO).

Infection Control Committee

The Infection Control Committee is up to date with the current developments, implementing all the necessary protective measures according to the World Health Organization, the Greek state and the National Public Health Organization (NPHO). It aims to ensure the safety of the patients, the visitors, and the employees.

For everyone’s safety

Entry into the Hospital is possible ONLY from one entry point, so that all visitors and patients are screened. Anyone entering the facilities must answer a series of questions by the HYGEIA security staff.

Anyone entering HYGEIA Hospital (patients, visitors and staff) must wear a mask and their body temperature is recorded upon entry.

If someone is identified as a suspicious COVID-19 case, they are directed to the allocated examination rooms (Isobox) situated on the HYGEIA courtyard, and are isolated from the rest of the Hospital. The negative-pressure examination rooms are equipped accordingly, so that patients can be safely examined by the on-call doctor.
All the Hospital departments and clinics operate according to the guidelines issued by the Greek Ministry of Health and the NPHO.
We have taken the following precautionary measures to avoid overcrowding in waiting areas:

- Anyone wishing to schedule an appointment with a department or service of the hospital is informed of the protective measures in place over the phone.
- All appointments are scheduled with an hourly interval to avoid overcrowding in waiting areas.
- All areas have been set up so that social distancing is in effect.
- A longer period of time is allocated between examinations, in order for the examination area to be ventilated and cleaned sufficiently for the following appointment.
- All Hospital areas are inspected continuously to ensure that the health and safety rules are in effect.

The use of masks by the medical, the nursing and the administrative staff is necessary in all internal and external areas of the HYGEIA Hospital.
If a patient has a scheduled appointment with a doctor, they are required to re-answer the same questions and if they are considered suspicious, they are given a surgical mask and are directed to the allocated examination rooms on the courtyard, while their personal physician is notified.
Special banners and signs have been uploaded on the HYGEIA Hospital screens, informing visitors and patients.
To avoid overcrowding, only four people are permitted in the HYGEIA Hospital elevators at a time. The elevator platforms are cleaned thoroughly and regularly throughout the day.
Since the beginning of the pandemic in Greece, the Hygeia Group has constant online updates concerning the latest medical developments with COVID-19.

As per the National Public Health Organization (NPHO) guidelines, visits to patients are prohibited. Exceptions are made in special cases and only following the written approval and instructions of the treating physician, allowing just one (1) visitor or carer per patient.

The temperature of all incoming visitors is taken at the HYGEIA entrance and access to the building is denied if the body temperature is above 37.0⁰C.

What applies for carers:

Fully vaccinated individuals or holders of valid COVID-19 recovery certificates may enter the hospital with a negative rapid test, carried out no longer than 48 hours prior.
Unvaccinated individuals may enter the hospital with a negative molecular (PCR) test, carried out no longer than 72 hours prior.

All carers are required to wear masks and remain in the patient’s room throughout their visit.

When in common areas, they should keep safe distances (> 1.5m).

Only up to 2 people at a time are permitted to ride the elevators.

How is the test for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus performed?

With the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, A-Lab, the HHG Molecular Biology and Genetics Center, has become a critical component of the process. Responding to the needs of all the hospitals of the HYGEIA Group, A-Lab immediately proceeded with providing molecular detection of the new virus strain, which is the only method that offers a fast and reliable result.

All samples collected at the hospitals of the HYGEIA Group are treated as potentially infectious and, consequently, all the necessary protective and spread preventive measures are applied throughout the processes of collecting, packaging, storage and sample transfer. The professionals participating in the entire sample management process wear personal protective equipment.

Triple packaging is used when transferring the clinical samples to the lab, which is located outside the hospital premises.

Real Time RT-PCR Method

Once the samples are received by the lab, the viral RNA is isolated and polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcription is applied to amplify two different targets of the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome. The test is concluded within 3 to 4 hours from the time the samples are received by the lab.

Find out more about SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus testing here

Examinations

Apart from the entry checks, patients visiting the Hospital for laboratory/imaging examinations (i.e. blood tests, CT scans, ultrasounds, etc.) must wear a mask and must have had their temperature taken before entering the Hospital areas. If their body temperature is higher than 37.0⁰C, they are not permitted to enter the Hospital and the investigation process is followed.

For patients entering through the Emergency Department, the COVID-19 test is performed at the Department.

All oncology patients visiting the One-Day Clinic have their temperature and medical history taken and undergo a physical exam before starting treatment, and must wear a protective face mask.

Procedures

For patients in need of surgery, the attending physician acquires a detailed medical history, which is signed by the patient. Sample collection for COVID-19 is performed as part of the preoperative check-up, 1 to 3 days before admission, so that there is ample time for the tests results to be issued.

Emergency surgery of outpatients presenting at the Emergency Department or emergency invasive diagnostic tests (such as gastrointestinal bleeding, coronary angiography in AMI, etc.) are performed immediately due to the medical emergency. However, sample for COVID-19 testing is collected and patients are treated as positive without waiting for the results. All the protective measures are taken and they are hospitalized in a special area until the test result is issued.

Admission for hospitalization

COVID-19 testing is performed on all patients arriving at our hospitals, so as to confirm they are negative to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and ensure the safety of other inpatients and the hospital staff.

Until the result is issued, patients are hospitalized in a special area for suspicious cases, where all the required safety measures are ensured.

If the test is negative, they are transferred to another hospitalization area. If the test is positive, the authorities are immediately notified, and the patients are transferred to the reference hospitals.

Inpatients

For patients (with a negative COVID-19 test) who are already hospitalized over 6 days without having been labeled as suspicious cases and have to undergo an invasive procedure, the Infectious Disease Specialist, along with the attending physician, decides whether a new sample should be collected for COVID-19 testing.