RESUMEN
Influenza and pneumococcal disease represent a well-known burden on healthcare systems worldwide, as well as they still have an attributed morbidity and mortality, especially in elderly individuals and vulnerable populations. In the context of the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, a series of considerations in favor of extensive influenza and pneumococcal vaccination campaign are emerging, including a possible reduction of hospital extra burden and saving of sanitary resources. In addition, recent studies have suggested that prior vaccinations towards non SARS-CoV-2 pathogens might confer some protection against COVID-19. In this paper the authors consider all factors in support of these hypotheses and provide a consensus statement to encourage influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in targeted populations.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Promoción de la Salud , Vacunas contra la Influenza , Gripe Humana/prevención & control , Pandemias , Infecciones Neumocócicas/prevención & control , Vacunas Neumococicas , Neumología/organización & administración , Sociedades Médicas/organización & administración , Vacunación , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , COVID-19/prevención & control , Femenino , Necesidades y Demandas de Servicios de Salud , Humanos , Italia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infecciones Neumocócicas/microbiología , Streptococcus pneumoniae , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
COVID-19 is a complex and heterogeneous disease. The pathogenesis and the complications of the disease are not fully elucidated, and increasing evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 causes a systemic inflammatory disease rather than a pulmonary disease. The management of hospitalized patients in COVID-19 dedicated units is advisable for segregation purpose as well as for infection control. In this article we present the standard operating procedures of our COVID-19 high dependency unit of the Policlinico Hospital, in Milan. Our high dependency unit is based on a multidisciplinary approach. We think that the multidisciplinary involvement of several figures can better identify treatable traits of COVID-19 disease, early identify patients who can quickly deteriorate, particularly patients with multiple comorbidities, and better manage complications related to off-label treatments. Although no generalizable to other hospitals and different healthcare settings, we think that our experience and our point of view can be helpful for countries and hospitals that are now starting to face the COVID-19 outbreak.