Safety Pathway Design for Patients Not Affected by COVID-19 During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in an Italian University Hospital

• Published in: Risk management and healthcare policy 2020-01, Vol.13, p.2621-2626
• Main Authors: Montella, Emma, Caputi, Emanuele Mario, Del Core, Mariapia, Guida, Antonella, Triassi, Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; covid-19 pandemic; healthcare workers; patient safety; rapid serology testing; Research Letter; risk assessment; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
• ISSN: 1179-1594; 1179-1594
• DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S265942

Emma Montella,1 Emanuele Mario Caputi,1 Mariapia Del Core,1 Antonella Guida,2 Maria Triassi1 1Public Health Department, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy; 2Health Management, Local Health Authority (ASL) Caserta, Caserta, ItalyCorrespondence: Emma MontellaPublic Health Department, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, Naples 80131, ItalyTel [phone]Email [e-mail] Cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology were identified in the city of Wuhan, themost populated city in central China, late in December 2019. On January 7, 2020,the virus responsible for this condition was defined as Coronavirus 2 AcuteRespiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2); on February 11, the World HealthOrganization announced that the respiratory disease caused by the new coronaviruswas called COVID-19. COVID-19 is a potentially fatal disease whose spread hasreached epidemiological criteria to be declared a pandemic, having infected,according to WHO Coronavirus Disease Situation Reports, over 100,000 peoplein more than 101 countries. This new public health emergency is challenging theeconomy, the medical field and public health infrastructures. Health-care systemsworldwide have had to adapt their processes to face this new situation and attemptto provide a global response, and countries that have already experienced theemergency have a lot to teach.