As of today, all general practitioners in the Netherlands can complete a digital form for every patient with coronary complaints, which will be sent directly to RIVM. As a result, a national picture of the spread of the virus is created more quickly.
The system was developed by seven companies, which together call themselves the Covid-19 Data Coalition. “You can see it as a kind of” early warning system “for possible future outbreaks,” says Guus Vaassen, director of healthcare innovator MedWorq and one of the initiators. “The more you know, the more effective you can fight.”
Questionnaire
–
As soon as someone reports to a GP with corona complaints, data from that patient is collected using a questionnaire. It was drawn up by general practitioners and provided with feedback by RIVM. Filling in is a minute of extra work for the GP, according to Vaassen.
–
–
–
–
Also read:
Experts critical of corona app: ‘Bluetooth will not work’
–
The data will be forwarded to RIVM that same day. This rapid processing should ensure an up-to-date, national picture of the spread of the virus. 98 percent of general practitioners in the Netherlands have access to the system. Vaassen: “This gives you a network of 5,000 possible sounding stations in the Netherlands.”
Volunteer for doctors and patients
–
Use of the registration system is voluntary, Vaassen emphasizes, both for doctors and patients. The Dutch College of General Practitioners has informed its members about the initiative, but indicates that it is up to them to choose whether they want to use the system.
–
The same applies to patients, who are explicitly asked if they want to cooperate. “In practice, we notice that about 2 to 3 percent of patients do not want to cooperate,” says Vaassen. This is evident from tests of the system that were carried out last week.
–
–
–
Also read:
This way you help your computer with a corona medicine
–
A spokesperson for RIVM said that it is pleased with the system, and that it serves as a new way of collecting additional information in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. “At the beginning of the epidemic, the biggest enemy was the lack of information, which is less and less the case.”
No profit motive
–
Initiator Vaassen emphasizes that the coalition companies do not want to earn from the project. “At the moment we are doing this 100 percent at our own expense. And ultimately we want to turn this project into a foundation, so not for profit. The aim is to make it cost effective, but that’s about it.”
–
–
–
Corona bodies examined
The body of someone who died of Covid-19 can be of great help in the fight against the virus. An autopsy, also called an autopsy, is a way to gain more knowledge about the coronavirus.
–
–
–
