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Before the emergence of outbreaks of coronavirus infections in Spain, the Ministry of Health has drafted a specific protocol for action in nursing homes and social centers for the coronavirus epidemic. The main novelty is that it proposes confinement for those users whether they are confirmed or probable, or have any respiratory illness .

In no case does it talk about the closure of centers or mention the realization of PCR tests to facilitate the early detection of the disease , as the draft protocol of Madrid proposed, a community where there have been two deaths in coronavirus residences. The document has begun to spread among professionals.

The guide, written with advice from the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology - an entity with which the ministry contacted yesterday - points out that residents and users of social and health centers are in a situation of vulnerability to COVID-19 infection. its basic pathologies, advanced age, close contact with caregivers and other residents and for being in closed environments for a long time and with an equally vulnerable population.

The protocol establishes that, as a general rule, " all those residents who have acute respiratory symptoms should restrict their movements as much as possible and stay in a room with good ventilation (preferably outside) and ideally with their own bathroom ". Visits to common areas should be restricted to the minimum possible and should be done in any case with a surgical marker.

Health indicates the same for probable cases of coronavirus patients or confirmed cases. However, outside the confinement, the ministry indicates that patients can stay in the center if they are in good condition , discarding the transfer to a health center.

As a precautionary measure, "it is recommended that every resident with respiratory symptoms to be treated by a worker wear a surgical mask ."

Family visits will be suspended for as long as the patient has an indication of isolation. If necessary, they must comply with the infection control precautions required with the appropriate personal protective equipment.

Likewise, visitors are asked to refrain from going to the centers if they have severe respiratory symptoms, as well as those who have been in a risk zone .

In principle, the procedure for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and spaces in contact with the patient "will be done in accordance with the usual center cleaning and disinfection policy".

The cleaning staff will receive training and information prior to the first entry into the room and will use the appropriate personal protective equipment. In principle, " no special treatment is required for the clothes used by the patient and neither is a tableware or disposable kitchen tools necessary ."

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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