Staying safe while in Hospital

The Euroclinic Group took multiple and strict measures against COVID-19, keeping patients, and medical, nursing and administrative staff safe from day one.

We are continuing with the same caution so as to provide leading medical services with safety.

Protective measures against COVID-19

1. Ward rounds
2. Protection of patients and carers
3. Protection of staff

1. Ward rounds

Infection Control Committee

At the Athens Euroclinic, the Infection Control Committee, which is kept constantly updated on the developments, has been meeting and driving the policies of the Hospital from the very first moment the coronavirus appeared on the world map, taking all necessary preventive measures for the safety of patients as well as the medical, nursing and administrative staff of the Euroclinic Group.

Education Committee

The Euroclinic Education & Lifelong Learning Committee updates the medical staff almost daily about studies in Greece and abroad, so that they are fully informed on the latest medical developments of the new SARS-CoV-2, its epidemiology, its symptoms and all the treatment protocols that must be followed.

2. Protection of patients and carers

Following the guidelines of the National Public Health Organization (NPHO) and the Ministry of Health, Euroclinic announced from the very first moment that it was taking the required measures for early diagnosis and safety of all patients and their carers who visit the hospital.

Precautionary instructions prior to admission

• The Hospital’s entry points have been limited, with controlled entry only via one gate, where security staff take down a brief medical history and measure the temperature of patients, carers and staff to ensure that they do not meet the criteria of suspected infection.
• If the entry criteria are met, those coming in must disinfect their hands with hand sanitizers at the Hospital entrance and then they are permitted to enter only with the use of a surgical mask.
• Every patient is accompanied by only one person at most, and provided it is required due to the patient’s condition, as there are recommendations for the strict visiting hours.
• Two isolation boxes have been installed outside the hospital, in the courtyard, for investigation of confirmed/potential cases.
• In these boxes, qualified medical staff, wearing personal protection equipment, carry out all the necessary actions for each case, such as physical examination and sample collection, if necessary, for molecular testing.

Precautionary instructions after admission

• The use of a surgical mask (the use of fabric, paper or filter mask is prohibited) is mandatory for carers/visitors.
• The use of masks (covering the mouth and nose) by medical, nursing and administrative staff is necessary in all indoor areas.
• Every patient who is admitted has been examined and confirmed they are negative to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, so as not to endanger the safety of the other patients and the healthcare staff. All cases are tested (Internal Medicine, Surgical, Endoscopic, Catheterization Laboratory, Angiography, Interventional Radiology).
• Apart from the checks upon entry, patients visiting the Hospital for lab/imaging tests (blood tests, CT scans, ultrasounds, etc.) must wear a mask and have their temperature taken before entering the Hospital areas and/or the Polyclinic Point Two. If their temperature is higher than 37⁰C, they are not permitted to enter the Hospital and the investigation process is followed.
• In surgical cases, SARS-CoV-2 testing must be performed as part of the preoperative check-up.
• Patients who will undergo surgery with local anesthesia and will be discharged after a few hours do not undergo SARS-CoV-2 testing.
• For patients entering through the Emergency Department, the testing must be performed there.
• All oncology patients visiting the One-Day Clinic (ODC) have their temperature and medical epidemiological history taken, undergo a physical exam before starting treatment and must wear a protective face mask. Oncology patients starting treatment must undergo SARS-CoV-2 testing before their first therapy.
• Information with the health and safety guidelines of the National Public Health Organization (NPHO) is posted online.

General instructions for visitors/carers

• Visiting hours are suspended.
• Only one (1) visitor or carer per patient nearing death is allowed, after undergoing the entry checks without fail each time. In this context, their temperature needs to be taken before entering the Hospital and if it is higher than 37⁰C, they are not permitted to enter.
• Each visit can last up to 30 minutes, once a day, following a justified attending physician’s referral, as approved by the Medical Services Division.
• The use of a surgical mask (the use of fabric, paper or filter mask is prohibited) is mandatory for the carers/visitors, covering their mouth and nose. When they are in the hospital, they are required to wear the mask and remain in the patient’s room throughout their visit.
• Extension of visiting hours is only possible following an attending physician’s referral and as approval by the Medical Services Division.