Nghe An tightens control of people entering and leaving hospitals

On July 9, Nghe An Department of Health sent a document to public and non-public medical examination and treatment facilities in the province regarding the implementation of SARS-CoV-2 testing.

According to Mr. Tran Minh Tue - Deputy Director of the Department of Health, since June 17, the Department has issued an official dispatch requesting to organize SARS-CoV-2 screening tests using rapid tests for all patients and their relatives when coming for examination and treatment at all medical examination and treatment facilities in the province.

However, in the past, some difficulties and problems have been recorded in the implementation process. Therefore, Nghe An Department of Health and directors of medical examination and treatment facilities in the area continue to strictly implement the instructions of the Ministry of Health, the provincial Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control steering committee and the Department of Health in the work of triage, screening of high-risk people, organizing quarantine and taking samples for testing of medical staff, patients and patients' relatives when coming to the unit for examination and treatment.

The Southwest Regional General Hospital set up a checkpoint at the hospital gate to screen and triage patients. Photo: Tien Hung

In addition, the Department of Health also requires medical examination and treatment facilities to base on medical declaration information, SARS-CoV-2 testing history and related epidemiological factors of patients, patients' relatives and related cases to assess risk factors, organize appropriate sample collection, and avoid waste. Specifically, re-testing is not organized for cases that have had negative screening results for SARS-CoV-2 within 24 hours.

According to Mr. Tran Minh Tue, this move took place after the Department of Health received many complaints from people regarding this issue. “Many people complained that they had to get a quick test after entering a hospital, then transfer to another hospital for further examination and had to get another quick test before being allowed in.

The hospital is too rigid, unnecessary and wasteful. If they have tested negative within the last 24 hours, there is no need to test again,” Mr. Tue added.