The system is well-established: how medics protect the residents of Vitebsk
Vitebsk's new city central polyclinic, commissioned just over a year ago, is the largest in the city. Today it serves about 60,000 people. What has changed due to the complex epidemiological situation? How has the staff's work scheme been restructured during the pandemic? What are the prospects for the near future?
Stanislav Titovich, Chief Physician of VCGP, who coordinates all polyclinic care for the adult population in Vitebsk, is a man of few words, but his attitude is clear:
— The work strategy in the context of coronavirus spread has been determined, and its correctness has been confirmed by WHO representatives who visited a number of medical facilities and were able to personally familiarize themselves with our work practices. Yes, doctors are having a hard time now, the workload is colossal. And it will undoubtedly grow in the near future. Polyclinics are practically on the front lines – this is where people who feel unwell turn to first. Our job is to diagnose and prescribe treatment in a timely manner. If necessary, to send to a hospital. New forms and methods of interaction with colleagues have already been worked out. Now we are ready for any surprises: we have reserves of both strength and resources. Polyclinic staff are provided with the necessary protective equipment, and stocks of special clothing and disinfectants are regularly replenished.
…At the entrance to the medical facility, there is temperature control. All clinic staff are in special uniforms. Paramedic laboratory assistants Irina Smolenkina and Veronika Koroleva hold non-contact thermometers. If the light is green, the way is open. However, first, the visitor will be asked to put on a mask and state the purpose of their visit. If the matter is not urgent or can be resolved online, the medics suggest postponing the visit to the offices for their own safety:
— People with high temperatures rarely come to the reception desk: there are signs around the building indicating where to go in case of ARZ symptoms. This is a separate block, completely autonomous from the clinic, with a separate entrance.
If we compare the current situation with the realities of three to four weeks ago, the flow of patients to the clinic has significantly decreased. But this does not mean that doctors have become much easier – they have many other responsibilities today. The workload has increased many times over. If in previous years, typically 400 to 900 cases of ARZ were registered in the city during the off-season, now there are over 4 thousand. All departments of the clinic have been reoriented to provide assistance to people with symptoms of respiratory diseases and pneumonia. Reception and home visits are carried out by everyone: neurologists, ENT doctors, and other specialists.
Stanislav Titovich emphasizes:
— We are conducting extensive explanatory work. As a result, we are reducing the number of citizens personally applying to the city's medical institutions. We issue prescriptions, obtain all sorts of certificates, and provide consultations with narrow specialists online or with home visits whenever possible. Unfortunately, not everyone understands the new rules: many pensioners, out of old habit, want to visit their local doctor independently.
There are indeed fewer people in the corridors than before. Access to fluorography and X-ray rooms is only through a special entrance. Many medics had to be temporarily retrained: departments are closedphysiotherapy, day hospital, medical rehabilitation. But all staff are busy. For example, a significant part of the staff is currently working on clarifying lists of first and second-level contacts. A surgeon, who has just returned from patients, is scheduled to take swabs at home today.
The chief physician does not hide: a large volume of work concerning those subject to self-isolation. Facts of non-compliance with the regime are rare, but they do occur. In such cases, information is transferred to law enforcement agencies.
— We hope that thanks to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 208 of April 8 on the introduction of a restrictive regime – self-isolation – people will be more responsible in observing the established rules and thus help minimize the threat of virus spread. After all, this can only be done together, — emphasizes Stanislav Titovich. — Civil consciousness is essential here.
Stanislav Titovich, Chief Physician of VCGP, who coordinates all polyclinic care for the adult population in Vitebsk, is a man of few words, but his attitude is clear:
— The work strategy in the context of coronavirus spread has been determined, and its correctness has been confirmed by WHO representatives who visited a number of medical facilities and were able to personally familiarize themselves with our work practices. Yes, doctors are having a hard time now, the workload is colossal. And it will undoubtedly grow in the near future. Polyclinics are practically on the front lines – this is where people who feel unwell turn to first. Our job is to diagnose and prescribe treatment in a timely manner. If necessary, to send to a hospital. New forms and methods of interaction with colleagues have already been worked out. Now we are ready for any surprises: we have reserves of both strength and resources. Polyclinic staff are provided with the necessary protective equipment, and stocks of special clothing and disinfectants are regularly replenished.
Temperature is measured at the entrance.
…At the entrance to the medical facility, there is temperature control. All clinic staff are in special uniforms. Paramedic laboratory assistants Irina Smolenkina and Veronika Koroleva hold non-contact thermometers. If the light is green, the way is open. However, first, the visitor will be asked to put on a mask and state the purpose of their visit. If the matter is not urgent or can be resolved online, the medics suggest postponing the visit to the offices for their own safety:
— People with high temperatures rarely come to the reception desk: there are signs around the building indicating where to go in case of ARZ symptoms. This is a separate block, completely autonomous from the clinic, with a separate entrance.
If we compare the current situation with the realities of three to four weeks ago, the flow of patients to the clinic has significantly decreased. But this does not mean that doctors have become much easier – they have many other responsibilities today. The workload has increased many times over. If in previous years, typically 400 to 900 cases of ARZ were registered in the city during the off-season, now there are over 4 thousand. All departments of the clinic have been reoriented to provide assistance to people with symptoms of respiratory diseases and pneumonia. Reception and home visits are carried out by everyone: neurologists, ENT doctors, and other specialists.
Stanislav Titovich emphasizes:
— We are conducting extensive explanatory work. As a result, we are reducing the number of citizens personally applying to the city's medical institutions. We issue prescriptions, obtain all sorts of certificates, and provide consultations with narrow specialists online or with home visits whenever possible. Unfortunately, not everyone understands the new rules: many pensioners, out of old habit, want to visit their local doctor independently.
There are indeed fewer people in the corridors than before. Access to fluorography and X-ray rooms is only through a special entrance. Many medics had to be temporarily retrained: departments are closedphysiotherapy, day hospital, medical rehabilitation. But all staff are busy. For example, a significant part of the staff is currently working on clarifying lists of first and second-level contacts. A surgeon, who has just returned from patients, is scheduled to take swabs at home today.
The chief physician does not hide: a large volume of work concerning those subject to self-isolation. Facts of non-compliance with the regime are rare, but they do occur. In such cases, information is transferred to law enforcement agencies.
— We hope that thanks to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 208 of April 8 on the introduction of a restrictive regime – self-isolation – people will be more responsible in observing the established rules and thus help minimize the threat of virus spread. After all, this can only be done together, — emphasizes Stanislav Titovich. — Civil consciousness is essential here.