Measures for asymptomatic patients

Health authorities are revamping their approach to patients displaying no symptoms of illness

Roxana Vasile, 12.10.2020, 14:00

As the number of people testing positive against
COVID-19 continues to grow and hospitals are finding it increasingly difficult
to cope with the large number of patients, Romanian authorities are rethinking
the methodology for treating asymptomatic patients. Health Minister Nelu Tătaru says patients
exhibiting no symptoms and who present no previous medical conditions will now
undergo a medical check at home, after which point they can proceed with
medical investigations. The measure is meant to prevent the overcrowding of
emergency units in hospitals. Minister Tătaru also pointed out that family
physicians will be monitoring these patients and will get additional funds from
the Health Insurance Fund. Nelu Tătaru:

Asymptomatic
patients will be subjected to physical evaluation at home and will undergo
paraclinical investigations. Those with a cumulative illness history will
remain hospitalized after the medical checkup. Those without any prior medical
conditions will be evaluated, will get a treatment and sent home where they
will remain under the surveillance of their family physicians. We are working
closely with the latter so they receive additional funds from the Health
Insurance Fund, including for their patient monitoring services and their
contribution to the epidemiological investigations carried out by the Public
Health Directorates.

In
turn, family physicians want the authorities to consult with them in order to
ensure a proper and effective pandemic management. The absence of these
consultations is one of the reasons behind the recent negative evolution of the
pandemic, doctors say. In a press release, the National Society for Family
Medicine claims that, after seven months of coronacrisis, things are starting
to get worse regarding the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is time the
authorities understood the situation cannot be kept in check only on paper or
on TV, without taking under advisement the opinions of those who are in
permanent contact with patients, the Society writes. Family physicians have taken
over multiple responsibilities since the start of the pandemic, some outside
their specialty training, others new to the medical trade altogether, the
Society further writes. According to the said press release, due to non-COVD
patients’ being denied access in hospitals, and with the temporary shutdown of
several specialized outpatient care units, treating these patients has become
the responsibility of family physicians. Moreover, family physicians also have
to conduct an epidemiological triage for every patient suspected of being
infected with COVID-19, they are monitoring patients in home isolation as well
as their direct contacts, more often than not neglected by the authorities.
Finally, family physicians are providing patients not just with medical
treatment, but also with information and emotional support.

(Translated by
V. Palcu)