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Marco van Dams (Isala): keeping a distance of one and a half meters should become automatic


Expert infection prevention Marco van Dams answers questions

ZWOLLE – Keeping a distance of one and a half meters should become automatic, ‘says expert infection prevention Marco van Dams. Besides washing hands, it is one of the most important measures to prevent infections with corona. So these measures will also continue to apply within Isala. “

At the entrances to Isala locations, an employee is ready to ask you a number of questions upon entering. Will this remain the case for the time being?

“Yes, the triage (or the questions we ask at the gate) is the basis of how we work in our hospital. We ask questions about your health, for example if you have a cough or fever. In addition, we would like to know if you have recently been in a risk country, such as Croatia or Barcelona. And whether you are part of a sources and / or contact research. By doing this questioning well, we know that everyone who is in the hospital is not a risk to other patients, visitors or employees. ”

But what if answering the questions shows that I still have complaints that may be related to COVID; can my appointment still go through?

“Then know that the appointment will continue. You will receive a mouth mask from us that you can wear during your visit to the outpatient clinic. ”

Imagine you have to go to the hospital regularly for an examination, or you visit your partner who is in the hospital every night. Do I have to go in through the tent again and again? ”

“Yes and I understand that this is annoying and sometimes feels exaggerated. But your health can change in a day, that’s why we ask the same questions every time. Only in this way can we guarantee that no one in the hospital is a possible source of contamination. ”

An important measure of Isala is the urgent request to come alone as much as possible. Why is that?

“We want as few people as possible to come to the hospital, because only then can we guarantee a meter and a half distance. That one and a half meters is the basis of policy in the Netherlands at the moment. So also in the hospital. Of course there are exceptions. Your doctor may have already indicated that it is wiser to come in pairs. If it is difficult to come alone, for example because you have difficulty walking, consult the outpatient clinic where you have an appointment. ”

And I can no longer walk straight to the waiting area right?

‘No. The waiting areas are quite tight at Isala. Because we want to keep the distance of one and a half meters as much as possible, we ask everyone to take a seat at the last minute. We now schedule polio appointments in such a way that the doctor alternates call appointments with a patient in the hospital. This way we ensure that there are never too many people in the hospital at the same time. If you have to wait between appointments or if you have to wait a while before visiting, wait in Zwolle on the first floor of the Central Hall, in the restaurant or outside. In Meppel you are most welcome in a staff restaurant or outside. ‘

During the height of the corona crisis, you read in the media reports about people who did not dare to go to the doctor and not to the hospital. How is that now?

“We regularly meet people who are anxious. There are also patients who fall into a risk group. And for them too, the hospital must be a place where they can feel safe. That is why we keep asking the same questions at the entrance and we ask everyone to come to the hospital alone as much as possible. ”

I hardly see employees and doctors with masks or gloves on. Is that safe?

“Our policy is that employees and doctors stay at home with complaints and have themselves tested quickly. We see that employees handle this in a good way. Of course, the right protective equipment is worn at times of risk. ”

Can I wear my own mask in the hospital?

“You can, if you have no complaints. If you do have a cough or fever, we ask you to wear a mouth mask from Isala. This is a so-called medical mouth nose mask. Sometimes we see people wearing gloves. We ask them to take it off. Because how long has someone been wearing all those gloves? Washing your hands regularly is much more effective and offers better protection for yourself and for others. ”

Suppose I want to come to the hospital, but I have complaints. Will I also receive a mask on arrival?

“Then we ask you not to come to the hospital. This is really a different situation from someone who has an appointment at the outpatient clinic. ”

In short, even in Isala we have to stick to the rules for the time being and not relax.

”Indeed. The measures we take are not without reason. We see that people are having a harder time with it. That is understandable, but the virus is not gone. The increase in the number of infections in the Netherlands and in other countries in Europe is proof of this. So do not come to the hospital if you have complaints and give Isala the opportunity to protect employees and patients as well as possible by answering honestly to the questions that employees ask you at the entrance. ”

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