Unmet needs, health policies, and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic: a report from six European countries

Miralles, Oriol; Sánchez-Rodríguez, Dolores; Marco, Esther; Annweiler, Cédric; Baztan, Ainhoa; Betancor, Évora; Cambra, Alicia; Cesari, Matteo; Fontecha, Benito; Gąsowski, Jerzy; Gillain, Sophie; Hope, Suzy; Phillips, Katie; Piotrowicz, Karolina; Piro, Niccolò; Sacco, Guillaume; Saporiti, Edoardo; Surquin, Murielle; Vall-Llosera, Estel

doi:10.1007/s41999-020-00415-x

Cited by 59 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…A similar characteristic of hospitalized COVID-19 patients was observed in other COVID-hospitals [ 15 , 24 ]. Some authors point out that concerning this population, an appropriate approach is needed to ensure the best quality of care and equal treatment, which on the one hand, would take into account functional limitations, but above all, biological and not calendar age [ 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Referrals and Hospitalizations in the Hospital Transformed into COVID-19 Facility in Poland during the “Spring Wave” of the Epidemic in 2020—A Cross-Sectional Study

Kasiukiewicz

Wojszel

2021

IJERPH

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The study aimed to evaluate hospitalizations in a COVID-dedicated facility during the “spring wave” of the epidemic in 2020 in Poland and analyze changes in access to hospital treatment in the country in the early phase of the pandemic. We investigated all referrals and admissions to the Ministry of Interior and Administration hospital in Białystok from 14 April to 14 August 2020. A total of 238 patients were referred to the hospital (with a median age of 64.5 years; IQR, 44–78), most commonly with fever (n = 151; 63.5%). Only 135 (56.7%) were admitted (5.5% of the number hospitalized in the same period in 2019). SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed in 42 (17.7%) cases. Older people with concomitant diseases and disabilities dominated. Seventeen patients (12.6%) required ICU treatment, and 19 (14%) died. Based on the National Health Fund data, we also examined changes in the rate of hospitalizations in Poland and in selected Polish COVID/ and non-COVID hospitals between February and August 2019 and 2020. The number of hospitalizations in Poland decreased dramatically in comparison to 2019. A very low hospitalization rate, significantly lower than in structurally similar non-COVID hospitals, was observed in transformed hospitals. Better use of hospital resources was observed when the hospital was semi-transformed and had the flexibility to adapt to epidemiological needs. The study seems to confirm that the system of transformed COVID hospitals resulted in unused healthcare resources and limited patient access to medical services in the early period of the epidemic. As a consequence, systemic modifications allowing the maximization and adequate use of the Polish healthcare system’s limited resources have been implemented.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Referrals and Hospitalizations in the Hospital Transformed into COVID-19 Facility in Poland during the “Spring Wave” of the Epidemic in 2020—A Cross-Sectional Study

Kasiukiewicz

Wojszel

2021

IJERPH

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“…The rising number of cases has increased the resource use, leading to drug shortages and an insu cient number of beds in hospitals [4]. To expand the capacity of the SNHS, some temporary eld hospitals were opened, such as the pavilions of the city fair in Madrid [3]. Furthermore, due to the lack of resources, only patients with pneumonia who were in serious condition were hospitalized during the peak of the pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The COVID-19 pandemic also implied an increasing number of transmissions and hospitalizations, resulting in a signi cant burden for the Spanish National Health System (SNHS) [3]. In the worst times of the pandemic, hospitals were forced to expand the number of beds available for COVID-19 patients in improvised ward areas [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the beginning of December 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) registered almost 70 million cases of COVID-19 and more than 1.5 million deaths worldwide [1]. Spain is one of the European countries more severely affected by the ongoing pandemic [2], with more than 1.7 million cases of COVID-19 and close to 50,000 deaths at the end of 2020 [1].The COVID-19 pandemic also implied an increasing number of transmissions and hospitalizations, resulting in a signi cant burden for the Spanish National Health System (SNHS) [3]. In the worst times of the pandemic, hospitals were forced to expand the number of beds available for COVID-19 patients in improvised ward areas [4].…”

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confidence: 99%

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Impact of remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 during the first wave in Spain

Soriano¹,

Montejano

Moreno

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background: Spain was one of the most affected countries during the first wave of COVID-19, having the highest mortality rate in Europe. The aim of this retrospective study is to estimate the impact that remdesivir -the first drug for COVID-19 approved in EU- would have had in the first wave. Methods: This study estimated the impact on the Spanish National Health System (SNHS) capacity (bed occupancy), and the number of deaths that could have been prevented, based on two scenarios: a real-life scenario (without remdesivir), and an alternative scenario (with remdesivir). It considered the clinical results of the ACTT-1 trial in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and pneumonia, who required supplemental oxygen. The occupancy rates in general wards and ICUs were estimated in both scenarios. Results: Remdesivir would have avoided the admission of 2,587 patients (43.75%) in the ICUs. It would have also increased the SNHS capacity in 5,656 general wards beds and 1,700 ICU beds, showing an increase in the number of beds available of 17.53% (95% CI: 3.98% - 24.42%), and 23.98% (95% CI: 21.33% - 28.22%), respectively, at the peak of the occupancy rates. Furthermore, remdesivir would have avoided 7,639 deaths due to COVID-19, which implies a 27.51% reduction (95% CI: 14.25% - 34.07%). Conclusions: Remdesivir would have relieved the pressure of the SNHS, and would have reduced the death toll, providing a better strategy for the management of COVID-19 during the first wave.

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“…The importance of age and frailty in the population affected by Covid-19 has been well described [ 1 ], including the disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups such as nursing home residents [ 2 ]. Few diseases so epitomise the need for a holistic, age-informed care approach: Covid-19 targets multiple organ systems, preferentially affects older adults with multimorbidity [ 3 ], and leads to long-term sequelae including geriatric syndromes of cognitive and functional impairment with the resulting need for rehabilitation [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Covid-19: a call for mobilizing geriatric expertise

et al. 2021

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Aim Covid-19 is a true gerontological pandemic, with frailty, multimorbidity and geriatric syndromes being of great importance. Finding There has been a lack of geriatrician involvement in planning and delivery of care for older people with Covid-19 in many arenas. Lack of mobilisation of geriatric expertise has led to inconsistent policy responses and ageism. The pandemic has shown that medical education and health systems have failed to align training, resources, and systems with current demographic and health usage realities. Messages We must take the specific needs of older people into account to position ourselves to provide better care for this group during Covid-19 and beyond.

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Unmet needs, health policies, and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic: a report from six European countries

Cited by 59 publications

References 28 publications

Assessment of Referrals and Hospitalizations in the Hospital Transformed into COVID-19 Facility in Poland during the “Spring Wave” of the Epidemic in 2020—A Cross-Sectional Study

Assessment of Referrals and Hospitalizations in the Hospital Transformed into COVID-19 Facility in Poland during the “Spring Wave” of the Epidemic in 2020—A Cross-Sectional Study

Impact of remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 during the first wave in Spain

Covid-19: a call for mobilizing geriatric expertise

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