PUBLICATION DATE:
Under the Institution premise in the concept of the health care of its members and users, as well as its medical and non-medical staff, and beyond the strict security protocols with respect to COVID 19, the British Hospital has implemented a series of actions in different areas, ranging from physical activity and nutritional counseling to psychological support, among others.
From the first days of March, when the country began to go through voluntary quarantine as the main measure to prevent the spread of COVID 19, the British Hospital made available to its members alternatives to face-to-face consultation, although its polyclinics remained open and medical interviews were given when the professionals considered it necessary, as well as different procedures were carried out.
Tools or progresses based on the adoption of technology were promoted and the possibility of accessing the provision of remote medical services or telemedicine was made available to members through the application of the Hospital; telephone consultation with your GPs; the repetition of medication also by telephone; the possibility of accessing physiotherapy treatments through Zoom and videos; permanent telephone and face-to-face support from the Polyclinic of Domestic Violence and the migration of various procedures to non-contact modes.
In order to accompany its members during the quarantine, the Hospital gave advices on nutrition, routines for physical activity and yoga, and professionals’ recommendations for mental, physical and environmental health, among other contents were sent.
Among the recommendations made by the professionals of the British Hospital, avoiding over-information is key as it is known to generate anxiety; build support networks, using technology to keep in touch with family and friends; positive thinking, appealing to empathy to understand that the effort to isolate yourself is to save lives; organize a daily routine, both for teleworking and to perform pending tasks; stay active, to decrease anxiety; and take action, to address pending or postponed issues.
At the same time, the British Hospital Psychiatry and Psychology teams developed a program that made it possible for officials working in contact with patients with Covid 19 to receive psychological assistance.
Psychological support classes were added via Zoom to carry out physical activity and relaxation in their homes, with breathing techniques and mindfulness to clear the mind and achieve deep and restful sleep.
In addition, the British Hospital acquired a last generation video laryngoscope, especially indicated for difficult intubations, which significantly reduces the chances of infection of health staff when are working to manage airways to COVID patients 19.
Thereby, the British Hospital prioritizes the timely and simultaneous accompaniment of its members and their Human Resources, the institution's main assets, in each of the stages of this new reality that we have to face.