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

Anyone entering HYGEIA Hospital (patients, visitors and staff) must wear a mask..
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 room 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.
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.
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.

What applies for visiting patients:

One carer or visitor per patient whose name has been written by the attending physician in the patient’s file.
The carer or visitor, in order to enter the hospital, must be asymptomatic.

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

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

In admission:

All patients who are going to be admitted urgently undergo a rapid antigen test (Rapid test).
Sceduled admissions are made with a molecular test (PCR) < 48 hours.