ED response to Corona
Since the end of January, the world is facing an outbreak of a novel virus. Europe is in the heart of this epidemy and our Emergency Departments are overwhelmed by an exceptional workload and emotional commitment.
Doctors and nurses are requested to work double or triple shifts looking after patients infected by Covid-19. Directors of EDs are involved in the decisions taken by the crisis units which will affect the life of thousands of citizens.
Exceptional organizational solutions have been taken and surge capacity increased, and the screening of hundreds of patients is done outside the EDs, with professionals wearing PPE all day long, in complex environments.
ED personnel is responding with courage, resilience and great solidarity. We would like to applaud and thank all the healthcare professionals involved: doctors, nurses, paramedics and all personnel, for what they are doing. Emergency Medicine proves once again to be the cornerstone of any healthcare system, especially in periods of disease outbreaks and major disasters. Having a good emergency care system is mandatory and should rely on a medical dispatch center and a strong out of hospital medical system.