Evaluation of contingency plans in the care of patients in intensive care units in the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The expansion of intensive care areas has been one of the most significant measures in this forced adaptation to the evolution of the different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective is to evaluate the deployment of contingency plans in the care of patients admitted to intensive care units during the period from March 19 to April 20, 2020, in a public hospital, reference for 300,000 inhabitants belonging to the Galician Health Service. Materials and methods: Qualitative research from focus groups, with systematic sampling. Based on the adaptation to the health environment of the 10 measures recommended by Deloitte to face a pandemic, an evaluation was carried out by the quality unit of the Health Area. As outcome indicators, the number of COVID-19 patients, % of patients admitted to hospital, % patients admitted to intensive care units, as well as the number of deaths from COVID-19, were evaluated in seven health areas in the period March 19 to April 20, 2020. Results: The qualitative evaluation identified 2 areas for improvement (communication and risk assessment) of the 10 recommended measures. The Health Area has the lowest relative (2.6%) and absolute (16) rate of deceased patients, as well as the lowest relative (7.9%) and absolute (24) rate of patients admitted to intensive services for COVID-19. The infection rate in professionals has been 4.4%. Conclusions: The simplicity and identification of areas for improvement added to the low consumption of resources are strengths of this proposal. This self-assessment can be helpful in identifying areas for improvement. (C) 2022 FECA. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.