Message from EUSEM to all EM professionals
Dear colleagues, dear friends,
COVID-19 epidemic is putting to test all our European Healthcare Systems and especially Emergency Medical structures, which usually are operating under tension. We now have to face the worries and fears of the general population. In these circumstances, as in the previous epidemic zoonosis, Emergency Medicine structures are in the front line of the response and of healthcare systems and play a crucial role in the diagnosis, management, and monitoring of patients with COVID-19.
The professionals also face more complications in their daily work: isolations, refined triage for possible cases, different tracks, individual personal protection etc. Furthermore, continuous updates of the definitions and health authorities’ recommendations create special needs in working conditions, training and education.
Continuing to ensure regular business in the ED is not the issue. The risk of contagion and transmission of the disease is a significant concern for the Emergency Medicine structures and healthcare professionals, and this again shows your commitment in these circumstances.
The scientific Societies support the recommendations of the health authorities in terms of containment of the epidemic. We take the opportunity to highlight the importance of a structured and well-designed Emergency medical system during the normal periods because, if the systems are not tuned for those days, they won’t be able to respond in a time of crisis, such as this outbreak of COVID-19.
Taking into account these parameters, and stressing on your complete involvement in your emergency medicine structures, EUSEM has cancelled all the face to face meetings for the next weeks and will instead keep the links using video conferences when possible. Also, EUSEM has generated a position paper that intends to provide the European emergency medicine perspectives.
We want to ensure you of our commitment with you and the solidarity with the patients and their families.