Common protocol against flu, covid and other respiratory infections, with four risk scenarios ranging from the use of masks in health centers, to the proposal of teleworking and exceptional measures in the event of a very high-level epidemic scenario. This was agreed this Wednesday by the Ministry of Health and the autonomous communities, meeting in the Interterritorial Health Council.
The agreement defines four risk scenarios determined from the levels of transmissibility detected, together with the evaluation of the rest of the indicators and the analysis of the impact on the healthcare resources and in the susceptible population. According to ministerial sources, this classification allows measures to be adapted to the evolution of the epidemiological situation in each territory, strengthening the health and community response capacity.
Other agreed measures are the promotion of vaccination, epidemiological surveillance and staff training.
Scenarios
The application of the proposed measures must be done in a manner staggered and incremental, guaranteeing that in each scenario the recommendations of the agreed levels are also implemented: the first scenario is an inter-epidemic or baseline situation, the second is a low or medium level, the third is a high-level epidemic and the fourth is a very high level.
The text specifies that the scope of application is defined by the autonomous community, which will estimate the risk scenarios based on the epidemiological situation.
“We approved with all the autonomous communities a Common Protocol against flu, covid and other respiratory infections. Teleworking or masks in health centers save lives. We said it was necessary and possible,” the Minister of Health stated in this regard. Monica Garcia, in a tweet on the social network X.
Vulnerable
In the inter-epidemic or baseline situation scenario, general preventive measures are maintained, such as the promotion of vaccinationepidemiological surveillance and staff training. The use of a surgical mask is recommended in people with respiratory symptoms, especially if they are going to have contact with vulnerable people, as well as its continued use by symptomatic workers in social health centers.
In the low or medium level epidemic scenario, inter-institutional coordination activities and active communication with citizens are reinforced. The recommendation for the use of a surgical mask by people with symptoms and in vulnerable environments is intensified. In hospitals, its use is recommended in sensitive areas (such as oncology or transplant units) by both professionals and patients and companions. In residential facilities, continued use by symptomatic workers is maintained, and additional measures may be taken if transmission is detected.
In a high-level epidemic, care continuity plans will be adapted to guarantee response capacity. The widespread use of a mask is recommended in common spaces of health centers, such as waiting rooms or emergency rooms. In residential centers, the visiting policy is reviewed, and residents are advised vulnerable people use a mask in closed spaces without adequate ventilation.
Coordination between territories
At a very high level, extraordinary coordination between territories is activated, through meetings of the Plenary Session of the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System. The health authorities may establish exceptional measures for the transmission control in certain contexts or especially exposed groups.
The document highlights the importance of coordination between regional public health services and the Ministry of Health, as well as the need to periodically evaluate the epidemiological situation to adapt responses. Special attention is paid to vulnerable environments, such as nursing homes or specific hospital units, where early detection and immediate action are essential.
“These recommendations constitute a key tool to anticipate and mitigate the impact of seasonal epidemics, improve the preparation of the health system and protect the health of the population,” says Health in a statement.
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