Telephone Triaje within the Framework of the Health Strategy during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

  • Horacio Romano Hospital Municipal de Agudos Dr. Leónidas Lucero, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
  • Marcelo Andreocci Hospital Municipal de Agudos Dr. Leónidas Lucero, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
  • Juan Arbotti Hospital Municipal de Agudos Dr. Leónidas Lucero, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
  • Azul Ferrari Hospital Municipal de Agudos Dr. Leónidas Lucero, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
  • María Eugenia Perticone Hospital Municipal de Agudos Dr. Leónidas Lucero, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
  • Mariana Romano Hospital Municipal de Agudos Dr. Leónidas Lucero, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
  • Diego Carletti Hospital Municipal de Agudos Dr. Leónidas Lucero, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
  • Rocío Amaya Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina
  • Blas Burda Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina
  • Manuela Del Santo Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina
  • Romina Encina Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina
  • Andrés Priotto Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina
  • Dardo Emanuel Rocha Martín Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina
  • Matías Iván Schulz Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina

Keywords:

COVID-19, Telemedicine, Coronavirus Infection, Triage, Argentina

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In order to face the COVID-19 pandemic and organize the health attention demand, in Bahía Blanca, Argentina,was implemented a device based on information and communication technologies. A telephone triage system was created, directed to peoplewith symptoms compatible with COVID-19, to offer advice and relevant information about the disease. The present article aims to describe thisimplemented service, so that it can be reproduced since its application is simple and does not require great resources. METHODS: The telephoneoperators were trained to answer the phone calls received in the 147 phone number, complete a database in a specific software, and carry outa triage with the assistance of a health professional. The people who called – citizens with or without health coverage- were classified in order tothe case definition and its severity. Finally, the operator indicated the caller a conduct to follow. RESULTS: 2811 phone calls were received betweenthe 07/01/2020 and the 10/20/2020. 81,6% were classified as green, 9% as yellow and 1,3% as red. The device offered attention to 17,3% ofthe COVID-19 positive cases in Bahía Blanca and 9% of the laboratory confirmed cases. The operators diagnosed 38% of the city positive casesdefined by epidemiological or clinical criteria. This means that 605 patients were diagnosed and isolated, without the needing of going in personto a health institution. DISCUSSION: The telephone triage is a versatile and affordable device that contributed to the functioning and performanceof the health effectors in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.  

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Published

20-12-2021

How to Cite

Romano , . . . H. ., Andreocci, M. ., Arbotti, J. ., Ferrari, A. ., Perticone , M. E. ., Romano , M. ., … Schulz , M. I. . (2021). Telephone Triaje within the Framework of the Health Strategy during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Revista Argentina De Salud Pública, 13, e42. Retrieved from https://rasp.msal.gov.ar/index.php/rasp/article/view/722

Issue

Section

Health Interventions