Cuban hospitals establish their health strategies to avoid COVID-19 outbreaks. Dr. Ernesto Guevara de la Serna General Teaching Hospital, in Las Tunas, redistributes its care flows for greater protection.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- This assistance institution has capacity for more than 600 admissions in the different medical specialties. Given the complex epidemiological situation in the province, especially in the capital city, the dynamics of hospital care have been re-evaluated in compliance with the protocols.

"The visits were suspended; we keep only the strictly necessary companions. This decision guarantees less internal circulation. We have also arranged all the disinfectant solutions at each control point, entrance and exit of the facility and each of the services. We demand systematic hand washing," Dr. Lázaro Pérez Escribano, head of the Emergency Center, explains.

People who arrive with respiratory manifestations have differentiated treatment, the doctor insisted.
"They enter through the consultation already designed for these purposes. Depending on whether it is a serious or common respiratory infection, the patients go to the correspondent wards."

The aim is to avoid in-hospital epidemic outbreaks and to preserve the health of workers and patients.

"The use of the facemask is mandatory, both for our staff and for the patients. In all consultations, we must use the designed means of protection: masks, gowns, overcoats, and gloves," the specialist added.

The hospital is the largest health institution in the province. It offers medical services in more than 30 specialties. Caring for health in times of epidemic contingency is imperative.