In times of a pandemic, field hospitals are a viable way out to serve the sick population. Even investing in structures of this type, in the midst of a health crisis, is a recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO). These attitudes are necessary so that the health system can serve as many people as possible. Without emergency facilities, many patients lack care.
What are field hospitals?
These are temporary structures, meaning they are installed temporarily in a specific location to urgently serve the population. In cases of pandemics, such as COVID-19 , it is necessary to build several field hospitals. This is precisely because fixed hospital structures alone cannot handle the number of sick individuals.
A practical example is the field hospital in Rio de Janeiro, developed by Asmontec in conjunction with Fiocruz. More than 100 ICU beds and 100 semi-intensive care beds were built , prepared to treat people infected with the new Coronavirus.
Essential products for a project of this magnitude
All details and products must be chosen for their ease of production, assembly, and high performance in combating the disease in question. Each one is fundamental to the overall functioning of the hospital. Here are some examples and their functions within a field hospital.
- Doors: help in the physical barrier and pressure cascade;
- Rounded profile finishes: easy cleaning;
- Sheets with electrostatic painting: easy cleaning.
Therefore, they are characterized by places in which the entire system is made under negative pressure, that is, the air of one patient does not come into contact with that of the other, precisely to prevent the disease from spreading.
In this regard, hospital isolation is also important as a way to protect the patient's health.
How does hospital isolation and isolation ICUs work?
The purpose of these places is to avoid contamination by infectious agents, such as bacteria and viruses, for example. There are 4 different types of hospital isolation, which are defined according to confirmed or suspected agents. See below for existing types:
- Standard insulation;
- Contact isolation;
- Respiratory by droplet;
- Aerosol respirator.
These methods of hospital isolation and isolation ICUs are used primarily when there are risks of contamination through blood or bodily fluids , skin contact, and contact with mucous membranes.
ANVISA (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency) and the Ministry of Health, in cases of infectious and easily transmissible diseases, such as COVID-19 , recommend following certain guidelines, regardless of whether there are suspicions of the disease or not. See below:
- It is extremely important to wash your hands with soap and water or with 70% alcohol gel, before and after contacting any patient. It is also necessary to follow the same procedures when removing gloves and after contact with blood or secretions;
- It is extremely important to use masks, glasses. gloves and apron when in contact with infected patients;
- Discard syringes and needles, without disconnecting them, in appropriate containers.
It is important to say that, in addition to the professionals being properly dressed, some equipment must be for the exclusive use of that patient, such as: thermometer and stethoscope.
The isolation ICUs
In isolation rooms in Intensive Care Units, some specific points are necessary, which must compose the place:
- Antechamber and exclusive lavatory for the medical team;
- Bench with sinks for dumping;
- Exclusive bathroom;
- Washbasin;
- specific areass for watertight laundry containers;
- Negative pressure with air filtration in the exhaust of the beds.
In these environments, there are also glass partitions to facilitate the visualization and observation of patients admitted to that location. It is important to emphasize that, since February 21, 2002, according to resolution RDC No. 50 of the Ministry of Health , every ICU must provide an isolation room for every ten beds.
These facilities are essential in combating major epidemics or, as in the case of the new Coronavirus, a pandemic. No country has enough structure of hospitals to receive the entire sick population, in cases of diseases like this. Precisely for this reason, building field hospitals is essential.
Asmontec is pleased to participate in a project like this that will be of great benefit to society. It is worth checking out the stages of the process, in partnership with Fiocruz.
