Managing the COVID-19 pandemic in a Portuguese School of Nursing: an experience report

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Vilar, AI (Author) Other; Bastos, C (Author) Other; Araujo, F (Author) Other; Campos, MJ (Author) ESEP; Machado, P (Author) Other; Abreu, M (Author) Other

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: REVISTA ROL DE ENFERMERIA

Vol. 44

Pages: 89-96

ISSN: 0210-5020

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-WKW

Abstract (EN): Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic, decreed by the WHO in March 2020, created enormous challenges. Our Institution was faced with the need to take measures to control the spread of the disease and keep the academic community safe, for which a comprehensive contingency plan was created so that the entire community felt involved and able to follow the proposed measures. Objectives: (I) Describe the process of building a contingency plan to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic situation in a Nursing School; (II) Describe the implementation of the contingency plan and its adequacy, depending on the evolution of the pandemic situation and (III) Describe the main challenges encountered and the corrective strategies adopted. Methodology: Experience report of the construction and implementation of the Institution's contingency plan. A Contingency Plan Team was appointed that created a plan following the guidelines of the various health regulatory authorities, structured in four topics: 1) organization of structures; 2) training; 3) organization of academic and work activities; 4) follow-up and monitoring. In addition, several guiding documents for safe practices were also prepared, aimed at readjusting the teaching-learning process and the safety of employees. Results: 1) organization of structures: An isolation room was established in each building, Spaces were reorganized to ensure safe distances; antiseptics were distributed; Signals was adopted to make the path; internal dynamics and specific procedures changed. 2) training: Clarification sessions were organized with teachers and online training for students and non-teaching staff, and face-to-face training for cleaning staff and support teams. 3) organization of academic and work activities: plan the beginning and breaks according to the maximum amount of people in the same room, fixed the capacity of each classroom. 4) follow-up and monitoring: a case notification/registration process was created and spread the message for all community on the website and by email. Conclusions: The contingency plan has responded to the Institution's needs. It was dynamic and flexible, always be adjusted according to national norms/guidelines and in partnership with Local Health Authorities. The implemented changes proved to be effective and supported the entire school community, which started to integrate the new rules into their daily lives. The very low cases report of covid-19 with the beginning in our institution, seems to reveal the success of the implemented measures.

Language: Portuguese

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8