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Review
. 2020 May;35(4):233-237.
doi: 10.1016/j.nrl.2020.04.001. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

Management of neurological care during the COVID-19 pandemic

[Article in English, Spanish]
J Matías-Guiu  1 , J Porta-Etessam  2 , E Lopez-Valdes  2 , I Garcia-Morales  2 , A Guerrero-Solá  2 , J A Matias-Guiu  2
Affiliations
Review

Management of neurological care during the COVID-19 pandemic

[Article in English, Spanish]
J Matías-Guiu et al. Neurologia (Engl Ed). 2020 May.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Introduction: The COVID-19 epidemic has led to the need for unprecedented decisions to be made to maintain the provision of neurological care. This article addresses operational decision-making during the epidemic.

Development: We report the measures taken, including the preparation of a functional reorganisation plan, strategies for hospitalisation and emergency management, the use of telephone consultations to maintain neurological care, provision of care at a unit outside the hospital for priority patients, decisions about complementary testing and periodic in-hospital treatments, and the use of a specific telephone service to prioritise patients with epileptic seizures.

Conclusion: Despite the situation of confinement, neurology departments must continue to provide patient care through different means of operation. Like all elements of management, these must be evaluated.

Introducción: La pandemia de Covid-19 ha supuesto la necesidad de tomar decisiones para mantener la asistencia neurológica, sin precedentes. En este artículo se analiza esa toma de decisiones operativas.

Desarrollo: Los autores refieren las fórmulas empleadas como son la realización de un plan de reorganización funcional, estrategias para la hospitalización y urgencias, la realización de consultas telefónicas para el mantenimiento de la atención neurológica, la asistencia en un área externa al hospital para pacientes preferentes, las decisiones sobre exploraciones complementarias y tratamientos intrahospitalarios periódicos o implantar un teléfono para la priorización de crisis epilépticas.

Conclusión: A pesar de la situación de aislamiento, los servicios de neurología deben mantener la atención de sus pacientes a través de distintas fórmulas operativas, que como cualquier elemento de gestión, deberán evaluarse.

Keywords: Asistencia neurológica; COVID-19; Covid-19; Departamento de neurología; Gestión sanitaria; Healthcare management; Neurological care; Neurology department; SARS-CoV-2; SARS2-CoV.

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