Letter to the Editor

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2020.030403

Experience on how to implement a preanalytical and POCT unit in Madrid’s IFEMA field hospital during this unprecedented COVID-19 emergency

Jorge Díaz–Garzón ; Laboratory Medicine Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
Paloma Oliver ; Laboratory Medicine Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
Gema Crespo ; Laboratory Medicine Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
Marta Duque ; Laboratory Medicine Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
Pilar Fernandez-Calle ; Laboratory Medicine Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
Marta Gómez ; Laboratory Medicine Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
Roberto Mora ; Laboratory Medicine Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
Isabel Moreno ; Laboratory Medicine Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
Lydia Pascual ; Laboratory Medicine Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
Ana-Laila Qasem ; Laboratory Medicine Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
Olaia Rodriguez-Fraga ; Laboratory Medicine Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
Manuela Simón ; Laboratory Medicine Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
Antonio Buño ; Laboratory Medicine Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain

Abstract

To fight the virus SARS-CoV-2 spread to Europe from China and to give support to the collapsed public health system, the Spanish Health Authorities
developed a field hospital located in the facilities of Madrid exhibition centre (IFEMA) to admit and treat patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infectious
disease (COVID-19). The Department of Laboratory Medicine of La Paz University Hospital in Madrid (LMD-HULP) was designated to provide
laboratory services. Due to the emergency, the IFEMA field hospital had to be prepared for patient admission in less than 1 week and the laboratory
professionals had to collaborate in a multidisciplinary group to assure that resources were available to start on time. The LMD-HULP participated
together with the managers in the design of the tests portfolio and the integration of the healthcare information systems (IS) (hospital IS, laboratory
IS and POCT management system). Laboratorians developed a strategy to quickly train clinicians and nurses on test requests, sample collection
procedures and management/handling of the POCT blood gas analyser both by written materials and training videos. The IFEMA´s preanalytical unit
managed 3782 requests, and more than 11,000 samples from March 27th to April 30th. Furthermore, 1151 samples were measured by blood gas
analysers. In conclusion, laboratory professionals must be resilient and have to respond timely in emergencies as this pandemic. The lab’s personnel
selection, design and monitoring indicators to maintain and further improve the quality and value of laboratory services is crucial to support medical
decision making and provide better patient care.

Keywords

COVID-19; field hospital; laboratory organization and management; preanalytics; POCT

Hrčak ID:

244716

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/244716

Publication date:

15.10.2020.

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