Re-birth in a Covid hospital: a point of view

BACKGROUND: Since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic governments have taken actions to limit the transmission of the virus such as lockdown measures and reorganization of the local Health System. Quarantine measures have influenced pregnant women's daily lives. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of the changes imposed by COVID-19 emergency on the wellbeing of pregnant women and how the transformation of Schiavonia Hospital into a dedicated Covid Hospital affected their pregnancy experience. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Pregnant women who gave birth in Schiavonia Hospital during the period May-September 2020 have been included. The assessment examined clinical characteristics, attitudes in relation to the pandemic and how it affected birth plans, perception of information received and attitudes regards giving birth in a Covid Hospital. RESULTS: 104 women responded to the survey, with an enrolment rate of 58%. About the influence of COVID-19 pandemic, 51% of respondents reported changing some aspect of their lifestyle. The identification of Schiavonia hospital as Covid Hospital did not modify the trust in the facility and in the Obstetrics Ward for the 90% of women, in fact for the 85,6% it was the planned Birth Centre since the beginning of pregnancy. The communication was complete and exhaustive for 82,7% of the respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the Covid Hospital transformation, the women who came to give birth at Schiavonia Birth Centre rated the healthcare assistance received at high level, evidencing high affection for the structure and the healthcare workers.

Risk stratification for the safety of patients and hospital health workers during Covid-19 emergency

Covid-19 emergency has forced hospitals to face enormous organizational challenges in order to implement solutions to minimize the impact of the infection and guarantee at the same time the quality of health services provided and the safety of patients and health workers. ULSS 6 Euganea - Health Trust (District of Padua) has defined four levels of risk for Hospital Units (from the highest to the lowest risk: Red, Yellow, Green and White) based on the following parameters: type of patients hospitalized (SARS-CoV-2 positive, Covid-like, negative), type of health services provided, time of assistance and care for hospitalized patient.