RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS IN NEUROLOGICAL DEPARTMENTS OF REFERENCE CENTERS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A CONSENSUS DOCUMENT OF HELLENIC NEUROLOGICAL SOCIETY

Abstract

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which caused Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has significantly changed the landscape of health care delivery worldwide. The neurological departments of Greek reference tertiary centers for COVID-19 are facing new challenges due to the need for prompt and efficient reorganization in order to provide high healthcare quality to hospitalized patients with neurological diseases. The present consensus paper was issued on behalf of the Hellenic Neurological Society and sought to address several practical issues regarding optimal patient management in neurological departments of reference centers during COVID-19 pandemic. Patient management both at the emergency departments and during hospitalization is delivered through two separate pathways: one for the patients who are COVID-19 negative and another for the patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 or who are exhibiting symptoms related to COVID-19. Stroke, as the cornerstone of neurological emergency, should not be neglected at the expense of extreme community and healthcare COVID-19-measures, and acute recanalization therapies should be provided through the adoption of a “protected code stroke” algorithm. In addition, patients with neuroimmunological, neurodegenerative and epileptic disorders should be able to receive specialized neurological healthcare, while being protected against COVID-19. At the same time, personnel protection of the neurological departments should be prioritized, with the aim to maintain psychical and mental health in those unprecedented times of uncertainty and high requirements during COVID-19 pandemic.