Healthcare for patients

MEDICOVER HOSPITAL - QUESTIONS >>

1. Consultations with internists 
2. Consultations with paediatricians
3. Specialist consultations
4. Consultations with allergist
5. Physiotherapy for children and adults
6. Paediatric rehabilitation
7. Occupational medicine examinations
8. Cytology and GBS tests
9. Recommendations for diabetic patients during an epidemic
10. Recommendations for cardiovascular patients during an epidemic
11. Recommendations for hypertensive patients during an epidemic
12. Preventive vaccinations for children and adults
13. Safe visits at Medicover Centres

ADVICE FROM AN INTERNIST

Currently, at Medicover healthcare centres internal medicine doctors provide advice in the form of telemedical consultations or stationary visits.

Out of concern for our patients, we have taken care of safe conditions of visits to our centres.

How to book a consultation with an internist?

• book a telemedical consultation for a specific date and time, using the Medicover OnLine app or by calling our Infoline at +48 500 900 500, and our doctor will call you back, or
• call the Telephone Medical Advice at +48 500 900 510 and speak with the doctor right away, or
• make an appointment at a Medicover Centre using the Medicover OnLine app or by calling our Infoline at +48 500 900 500.

At the remote consultation, the doctor carries out a medical interview and provides recommendations. The doctor may issue an e-Presc.ription and, if necessary, an electronic sick leave. If the health condition of the patient requires it, the doctor issues an e-Referral for tests, examinations or additional consultation at Medicover.

If you have already been to the medical appointment and you would like to consult the doctor about your condition, treatment, need for examination or visit

• use the option "Ask the doctor" that is available in the Medicover OnLine app.

ADVICE FROM AN PAEDIATRICIAN

Currently, at Medicover healthcare centres paediatricians provide advice in the form of telemedical consultations or stationary visits. We also provide all preventive vaccinations and routine health checks.

Out of concern for our patients, we have taken care of safe conditions of visits to our centres.

How to book a paediatric consultation?

• book a telemedical consultation for a specific date and time, using the Medicover OnLine app or by calling our Infoline at +48 500 900 500, and our doctor will call you back, or
• call the Telephone Medical Advice at +48 500 900 510 and speak with the doctor right away, or
• make an appointment at a Medicover Centre using the Medicover OnLine app or by calling our Infoline at +48 500 900 500.

At the remote consultation, the doctor carries out a medical interview and provides recommendations. The doctor may issue an e-Presc.ription and, if necessary, an electronic sick leave. If the health condition of a little patient requires it, the doctor issues an e-Referral for tests, examinations or additional consultation at Medicover.

If your child has already been to the medical appointment and you would like to consult the doctor about your child’s condition, treatment, need for examination or visit

• use the option "Ask the doctor" that is available in the Medicover OnLine app.

SPECIALIST CONSULTATION

Currently, at Medicover healthcare centres internal medicine doctors provide advice in the form of telemedical consultations or stationary visits.

Out of concern for our patients, we have taken care of safe conditions of visits to our centres.

How to arrange a consultation with a specialist?

• book a telemedical consultation for a specific date and time, using the Medicover OnLine app or by calling our Infoline at +48 500 900 500, and our doctor will call you back, or
• make an appointment at a Medicover Centre using the Medicover OnLine app or by calling our Infoline at +48 500 900 500.

If you have already been to the medical appointment and you would like to consult the doctor about your condition, treatment, need for examination or visit

• use the option "Ask the doctor" that is available in the Medicover OnLine app.

ADVICE FROM AN ALLERGIST

Currently, at Medicover healthcare centres allergy specialists provide advice for children and adults in the form of telemedical consultations or stationary visits. We also perform skin prick tests, desensitisation, and spirometry.

Out of concern for our patients, we have taken care of safe conditions of visits to our centres.

If you notice any symptoms of allergy, such as runny nose, watering eyes, coughing, reduced mood,

• book a telemedical consultation with an allergist, using the Medicover OnLine app or call our Infoline at +48 500 900 500, and our doctor will call you back, or
• make an appointment at a Medicover Centre using the Medicover OnLine app or by calling our Infoline at +48 500 900 500.

The telemedical consultations with an allergist are available during the working hours of Medicover Centres.

At the telemedical consultation, the doctor carries out a medical interview and provides patients with recommendations. The doctor may issue an e-Presc.ription and, if necessary, an electronic sick leave. If the patient's health condition requires it, the doctor issues an e-Referral for tests, desensitisation or additional consultation at Medicover.

If you have been qualified for or continue desensitisation (allergen immunotherapy):

• make an appointment at a Medicover Centre using the Medicover OnLine app or by calling our Infoline at +48 500 900 500.

PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS

The new guidelines were issued by the Minister of Health about resumption of the services of physiotherapists. According to these guidelines, from 04 May 2020 Medicover patients can use physiotherapy services:

If you have a valid referral for rehabilitation

• make an appointment for a convenient date by directly contacting the facility that was specified in the referral.

If you do not have a valid referral for rehabilitation

• contact the doctor who issued the referral to assess the need for rehabilitation and to provide you with a new referral.

In order to do that:

• please book a telemedical consultation with your doctor at Medicover OnLine or by calling the helpline at +48 500 900 500 and the doctor will call you back, or
• consult your doctor using the "Ask the doctor" functionality in the Medicover OnLine app;
• if the doctor of your choice is not available, please book a telemedical consultation with another doctor in this specialty.

When a new referral has been issued, please make an appointment for a convenient date of rehabilitation visit by directly contacting the facility that was specified in the referral.

If you want to make an in-patient visit to the Back Pain Clinic or the Locomotor System Clinic:

1. If there is a new injury:

• please contact the Emergency Medical Help – Medicover Hotline at +48 500 900 999. Our medical dispatchers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;
• please book a telemedical consultation with an orthopaedist at Medicover OnLine – just select the ORTHOPAEDIST tile or call our infoline at +48 500 900 500, and the doctor will call you back; or
• please book a visit at a Medicover Centre using the Medicover OnLine app – just select the ORTHOPAEDIST tile or call our infoline at +48 500 900 500. However, we recommend that you stay safely at home and use our telemedical services.

2. If you suffer from stress pains of:

1. your back:
• book a visit at the Back Pain Clinic using the Medicover OnLine app – just select the OTHER SPECIALISTS tile, or
• call our infoline at +48 500 900 500;
2. your knee, shoulder, elbow, hip, foot or hand joints:
• book a visit at the Locomotor System Clinic using the Medicover OnLine app – just select the OTHER SPECIALISTS tile, or
• call our infoline at +48 500 900 500.

NOTE

Personal visits to the Back Pain Clinic and the Locomotor System Clinic will be available from 08 May 2020.

All the patients who need the help of a physiotherapist earlier than 08 May 2020 can have a telemedical consultation with a physiotherapist from the Back Pain Clinic or the Locomotor System Clinic.

We recommend contacting the physiotherapist over the telephone if:

• you suffer from an acute back pain and impaired mobility, which occurred within 1-2 days;
• you have questions about your earlier personal visit;
• you have questions about the ergonomics of sitting at a computer, everyday activities at home or at work;
• you want to find out about some simple exercises to do while working.

In order to do that:

• please book a telemedical consultation with a physiotherapist for a specific day and time at Medicover OnLine or by calling the infoline at +48 500 900 500, and the physiotherapist will call you back;
• when booking a consultation at the Medicover OnLine app, please select “Back Pain Clinic – telemedical advice” or “Back Pain Clinic – remote telephone advice”.

IMPORTANT

Telemedical consultations with physiotherapists are available in the working hours of Medicover Centres.

During the telemedical consultation, the physiotherapist is not allowed to:

• issue referrals for rehabilitation procedures;
• issue referrals for diagnostic tests;
• issue sick leaves.

If there is a need to issue such documents, you will be asked to make an appointment for a telemedical consultation with an orthopaedic, neurologist, internist or a family doctor.

If you have a referral for a child's kinesiotherapy or neurological rehabilitation and the procedures have been discontinued due to an epidemic, or if you have a new referral for a child's kinesiotherapy or neurological rehabilitation

• call our infoline at +48 500 900 500;
• our infoline consultant will specify the facility at which the service can be provided;
• make an appointment for a convenient date by directly contacting the facility that was specified in the referral.

If you have an invalid referral for a child's kinesiotherapy or neurological rehabilitation

• contact the doctor who issued the referral to assess the need for rehabilitation and to provide you with a new referral

In order to do that:

• please book a telemedical consultation with your doctor at Medicover OnLine or by calling the helpline at +48 500 900 500 and the doctor will call you back, or
• consult your doctor using the "Ask the doctor" functionality in the Medicover OnLine app;
• if the doctor of your choice is not available, please book a telemedical consultation with another doctor in this specialty.

When a new referral has been issued, please make an appointment for a convenient date of rehabilitation visit by directly contacting the facility that was specified in the referral

IMPORTANT

Referral to paediatric kinesiotherapy and neurological rehabilitation of children may be issued by a doctor during a telemedical consultation or a visit at a healthcare centre.

As we take great care of our patients, we provide safe conditions for physiotherapy at our healthcare centres. You can read more about the increased safety rules at Medicover Centres here >> 

OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE EXAMINATIONS

In connection with the current Act on the amendment of certain acts on the health care system related to prevention, counteracting and combating COVID-19 (the so-called Anti-Crisis Shield), changes are introduced as far as occupational healthcare examinations are concerned.

New occupational healthcare examinations rules:

1. Periodic examinations – the obligation to perform periodic examinations has been suspended
However, the employer is required to issue a referral for a periodic examination taking into account the expiry date of the current referral and the employee is required to have this examination performed within a period of time not exceeding 180 days from the date of declaration about the end of the epidemic.

1. In connection with the entry into force of the amended Act on 31 March 2020, medical certificates concerning periodic examination issued after 7 March 2020 remain valid.
2. In accordance with the position of the Chief Labour Inspectorate (GIP), we are restoring the possibility of performing periodic examinations for employees who are referred to us by their employers and who wish to undergo such examinations.

2. Initial examinations and check-ups – are continued. Medicover continues to perform these examinations according to the existing rules. 

3. Possibility for another doctor to perform initial examinations and check-ups – the Act allows for this. If a doctor authorised to perform the initial examination or check-up is not available, the examination or check-up may be performed by another doctor. This doctor may also issue an appropriate medical certificate, but it will be valid for 30 days from the date of declaration about the end of the epidemic.

4. Possibility of sending referrals for occupational healthcare examinations in the form of scans – is extended indefinitely. To ensure greater convenience and quality of service, we are extending indefinitely the possibility of sending referrals for occupational healthcare examinations in the form of scans to skany-mp@medicover.pl.

CYTOLOGY AND GBS TESTS

According to the recommendations of the Chief Sanitary Inspector and the Ministry of Health, all visits and preventive tests and/or examinations should be postponed during the period of high risk of coronavirus infection.

Consequently, cytology and GBS tests are performed only when a gynaecologist or a midwife confirms that they are absolutely necessary.

How to confirm the indication to take a cytology or GBS test

• book a telemedical consultation with a gynaecologist for a specific day and time – use Medicover OnLine or call the infoline at +48 500 900 500, and the doctor will call you back; or
• book a telemedical consultation with a midwife for a specific day and time – please call the infoline at +48 500 900 500, and the midwife will call you back. When you use the Medicover OnLine app to book an appointment, please select “Midwife – telemedical advice”.

During the telephone consultation, the gynaecologist or midwife (pending the approval of the doctor) will confirm the need for the test and issue an e-Referral or, alternatively, will recommend to postpone the test.

How to make an appointment for the test if you already have an e-Referral

• book a consultation with a gynaecologist for a specific day and time – use Medicover OnLine or call the infoline at +48 500 900 500; or
• book a consultation with a midwife at Medicover Centre for a specific day and time – please use the Medicover OnLine app or call the infoline at +48 500 900 500. When you use the Medicover OnLine app to book an appointment, please select “Cytology”.

The gynaecologist or midwife will inform you when your test results will be available in the Medicover OnLine app (mol.medicover.pl).

When coming to the premises of a Medicover Centre, please behave responsibly:

1. Please do not come to Medicover with any accompanying persons. Take care of yourself and of their safety.
2. As soon as you enter the centre, please take your coat or jacket off, and put it in a designated area.
3. Wash or disinfect your hands. A special disinfectant is available in all reception areas and waiting rooms. There are toilets at every centre where you can wash your hands with soap and warm water.
4. Please keep the distance of 1-1.5 meters from the reception desk staff and other patients in the waiting room.

 How to prepare for a cytology?

• It is recommended to have a cytology test not earlier than 4 days after the last day of your menstruation and not later than 4 days before your period starts.
• Do not have the test during menstrual bleeding.
• No vaginal medication should be used at least 4 days before taking a cytological swab.
• Please refrain from sexual intercourse for at least 24 hours before the test.

The gynaecologist or midwife will ask you about:

• the date of your last period;
• medications taken, including contraceptives;
• past illnesses;
• pregnancies and deliveries.

PAEDIATRIC REHABILITATION

Regarding the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of 31 March 2020 on establishing certain restrictions, orders and prohibitions in connection with the outbreak of the epidemic, on 01 April 2020 new regulations suspending the performance of physiotherapy services became effective.

The new conditions are not applicable to:

• 1. cases in which stopping the rehabilitation treatment is a serious threat that may result in deterioration of a patient's health,
• 2. benefits provided through telecommunication systems or digital communication systems, including hybrid cardiological telerehabilitation.

For all our little patients who need the help of a physiotherapist we have launched a video consultation with a rehabilitation specialist. The help is provided in paediatric kinesiotherapy and neurological rehabilitation.

If you have a referral for paediatric kinesiotherapy or neurological rehabilitation and these procedures have been discontinued due to an epidemic:

• Contact the Customer Contact Centre at +48 500 900 500 in order to arrange further procedures in the form of video consultations, which will be carried out by a Damian Medical Centre physiotherapist*
• The contact centre consultant has direct access to the Damian Medical Centre application and will book a video consultation at your convenience.
• Videoconsultations with a physiotherapist are carried out for Medicover patients from all over Poland.

If you have a new referral for paediatric kinesiotherapy or neurological rehabilitation

• Contact the Customer Contact Centre at +48 500 900 500 in order to arrange further procedures in the form of video consultations, which will be carried out by a Damian Medical Centre physiotherapist *
• The contact centre consultant has direct access to the Damian Medical Centre application and will book a video consultation at your convenience.
• You can make an appointment for a video consultation yourself using the contact details on the printed referral (this applies to patients who received a referral while visiting the Medicover Centre)

Important:

A referral to paediatric kinesiotherapy and neurological rehabilitation of children may be issued by a doctor during a telemedical consultation or an in-person visit at a healthcare centre.

During video consultations, physiotherapists are not allowed to:

• issue referrals for rehabilitation procedures;
• issue referrals for diagnostic tests;
• issue electronic sick leaves.

If there is a need to issue any of the documents specified above, the patient will be asked to book a telemedical consultation with a doctor.

*TELEREHABILITATION for children at Damian Medical Centre: it is an online meeting with a physiotherapist who will:

• get the child’s medical history from the parent;
• provide/show childcare guidelines;
• choose exercises for the child;
• will demonstrate on a demo doll all the recommended exercises so that the parent/guardian can imitate the exercises at home with the child.

Physiotherapists can verify the correctness of the exercises using the video chat communication channel.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DIABETIC PATIENTS DURING AN EPIDEMIC

• Stay at home. Don't risk getting infected with SARS-CoV-2.
• Postpone all visits that are not urgent.
• Take care of your health and control your blood sugar level.
• Continue to take your medication as prescribed by your doctor.
• Take precautionary measures.

Diabetics require constant care. In their case, good control of blood sugar level and prevention of complications of diabetes are particularly important. Consequently, in order to facilitate patient's self-control, on the basis of the recommendations of the Polish Diabetology Association we have prepared these most important guidelines.

1. Are diabetics at a higher risk of developing COVID-19? Is the course of COVID-19 more severe in diabetic patients than in healthy people individuals?

There is currently no evidence to support these concerns.

• Patients with diabetes do not develop COVID-19 more often than others.
• Diabetic patients do not have a more severe course of COVID-19.

Experts suggest that with good control of diabetes, the risk of severe course of COVID-19 is similar to that for a healthy individual. Patients with poor management of diabetes, especially with co-occurring complications, may have a worse response to treatment and thus a higher risk of severe complications and death than individuals with diabetes without complications or without co-occurring diseases.

For diabetics, any viral infection brings a risk of a sharp increase in blood glucose and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) especially in type 1 diabetes.

The recommendations for preventive measures are the same as for the general population, but in this group of patients it is particularly important to follow them rigorously.

2. Is there a risk of limited availability of insulin and other medications used in the treatment of diabetes?

Leading insulin manufacturers report that the COVID-19 pandemic does not affect the ability to produce and distribute insulin and other substances needed to treat diabetes. Permanent monitoring of the situation is carried out by the Polish Diabetology Association.

It is suggested that patients should not stock up with medications due to their expiry date. It is recommended to have a stock of medications for 1-1.5 months.

3. Should a person with diabetes modify their treatment in case of COVID-19 may occur?

Currently, there is no scientific justification to modify the treatment of diabetes either in its prevention or treatment. The only exception is when the personal doctor recommends other-wise.

What to prepare in case of a possible COVID-19 infection?

• Ensure that you can contact your personal doctor and, if necessary, a nurse or dietician.
• Keep a list of used medications and their doses (including vitamins and dietary supplements).
• A selection of products containing monosaccharides, such as sweetened soda drinks, honey, jam, jellies or candy bars in case of hypoglycaemia, e.g. in case of a severe weakness caused by a disease that makes regular eating difficult.
• A stock of insulin for 1-1.5 months in case of getting sick or not being able to dispense another presc.ription.
• Additional products such as alcohol-based disinfectant and soap for disinfecting and washing your hands.
• Glucagon and test strips for checking ketone bodies in urine (patients treated with insulin).
• Sufficient supply of household and food products in case you need to stay at home for a longer time.

If you feel worried and have concerns about the treatment of diabetes or the risk of developing COVID-19, you should talk to your doctor in order to find out:

• when and how the doctor should be contacted, for example about ketone bodies in urine, dietary changes, medication doses;
• how often blood sugar level should be checked;
• when to check ketone bodies concentration in urine;
• what medicines to take for common cold, flu, viral infections;
• how to adjust the treatment of diabetes during the course of the disease.

How to contact a Medicover doctor:

• book a telemedical consultation with a doctor for a specific day and time – use Medicover OnLine or call the infoline at +48 500 900 500, and the doctor will call you back; or
• speak with the doctor without making any arrangements in advance – just call Telemedical Advice at +48 500 900 510 and speak with an internal medicine specialist (or a paediatrician).

4. What preventive measures should a diabetic patient take?

On an everyday basis, a diabetic person should take the same preventive measures as the the general population.

5. What should a diabetic who suspects the SARS-CoV-2 infection do?

If you have a fever and cough or shortness of breath, and if you suspect you have been in contact with an infected person, please stay at home and contact your Medicover doctor:

• book a telemedical consultation with a doctor for a specific day and time – use Medicover OnLine or call the infoline at +48 500 900 500, and the doctor will call you back; or
• speak with an internal medicine specialist (paediatrician) without the need to make any arrangements in advance – just call Telemedical Advice at +48 500 900 510 and speak with the doctor.

The doctor will assess your condition over the telephone consultation and will provide you with recommendations on how to proceed. The doctor can also issue an e-Presc.ription as well as an electronic sick leave. If in the doctor’s opinion your condition requires personal consultation at the Medicover Centre, you will be provided with a relevant e-Referral for such a visit.

If you are not a Medicover patient, please notify immediately the sanitary and epidemiological station by telephone or report to the infectious diseases hospital avoiding public transport – there, further medical treatment will be determined.

If the fever, coughing and/or shortness of breath has worsened or any of the following symptoms appear:

• persistent pain or pressure in the chest;
• confusion or difficulty to wake up;
• blue lips or face cyanosis;

immediately contact Medicover Hot Line at +48 500 900 999 or call the emergency number 112.

6. What should a diabetic patient with symptoms of some other disease (not COVID-19) do?

If you notice other symptoms, please stay at home and contact a Medicover doctor:

• book a telemedical consultation with a doctor for a specific day and time – use Medicover OnLine or call the infoline at +48 500 900 500, and the doctor will call you back; or
• speak with an internal medicine specialist (paediatrician) without the need to make any arrangements in advance – just call Telemedical Advice at +48 500 900 510 and speak with the doctor.

How do you prepare to speak with a doctor?

Before the telephone call, make sure that you have prepared:

• blood sugar level measurements;
• ketone bodies concentration in urine;
• amount of liquids that you have drunk (you can use a one-litre bottle for that).

This information may be helpful:

• Practical information on how to deal with suspected new coronavirus infection is available at https://www.medicover.pl/koronawirus/dla-pacjentow/ and www.gov.pl/koronawirus.
• The list of all sanitary and epidemiological stations is available on the website of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS): www.gis.gov.pl.
• For the list of infectious diseases hospital departments operating throughout the country, please check the website of the Ministry of Health: https://www.gov.pl/web/koronawirus/lista-szpitali.

Source: Polskie Towarzystwo Diabetologiczne (Polish Diabetology Association). New coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 versus diabetes; https://pulsmedycyny.pl/epidemia-covid-19-cukrzyca-zaostrza-przebieg-choroby-ocenia-ptd-986453 (accessed on 06 April 2020).

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PATIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

• Stay at home. Don't risk getting infected with SARS-CoV-2.
• Postpone all visits that are not urgent.
• Continue to take your medication as prescribed by your doctor.
• Take precautionary measures – cardiovascular patients are at risk of a more severe course of COVID-19 and should therefore be particularly rigorous in applying all preventive measures.

Lifestyle recommendations for cardiovascular patients (American Heart Association, 2020)

• Regularly have healthy and tasty meals! Choose whole-grain cereal products, fresh vegetables and fruit that will provide you with the necessary vitamins and minerals. Don't give in to temptations – don't grab sweet snacks or drink any alcohol because neither will make you feel better.
• Drink the right amount of water! Find some time to relax with a cup of coffee or tea.
• Exercise whenever you can! Not only is it good for your mental health, but also for your cardiopulmonary and respiratory performance as well as muscle strength. You can exercise at home, but also in the open air (obviously not too long, and make sure to keep your distance from other people). You can work in your own garden or exercise in front of a computer screen.
• Use tools for remote contact with others! Talk to your loved ones, find out what's going on with them, talk about your fears. Look for support and be supportive of others.
• Make some tasks for yourself! To rest is important, but it is worth spending some time cleaning up or doing something that you haven't had time for before. This will give you satisfaction.
• Give in to your passions! Read books, listen to music, play games, do sports – just do what you enjoy.
• Avoid too much negative information! Obviously, it makes sense to keep up to date with news from your country and the world, but too much time spent listening to negative news can have a bad impact on your well-being.
• Take a break to breathe! Sit down comfortably, or stand still. Concentrate on your breathing. Make calm deep breaths. Inhale (counting to five) and exhale (counting to ten). Repeat until you feel that your fear goes away from you.

If you have a fever and cough or shortness of breath, and if you suspect you have been in contact with an infected person, please stay at home and contact your Medicover doctor:

• book a telemedical consultation with a doctor for a specific day and time – use Medicover OnLine or call the infoline at +48 500 900 500, and the doctor will call you back; or
• speak with an internal medicine specialist (paediatrician) without the need to make any arrangements in advance – just call Telemedical Advice at +48 500 900 510 and speak with the doctor.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

• Stay at home. Don't risk getting infected with SARS-CoV-2.
• Postpone all visits that are not urgent.
• Continue to take your medication as prescribed by your doctor – your medicines are necessary to maintain normal blood pressure and prevent complications (e.g. stroke, myocardial infarction).
• Take precautionary measures – hypertensive patients are at risk of a more severe course of COVID-19 and should therefore be particularly rigorous in applying all preventive measures.

Lifestyle recommendations for hypertensive patients (according to the American and International Society for Hypertension, 2014)

• People who are overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) should try to reduce their body mass, which should also be helpful in treating hypertension, diabetes or lipid disorders. Even a small loss of overweight will be beneficial.
• All individuals with hypertension should reduce their salt intake as this will have a positive effect on lowering their blood pressure. Large amounts of salt are found in highly processed products such as fast food, canned, sour and smoked food, and bread, too.
• A diet that is rich in fresh vegetables and fruit is recommended.
• Physical activity should be practiced regularly.
• It is recommended to limit alcohol consumption – too much alcohol can increase blood pressure.
• Smokers should try to quit smoking.

If you have a fever and cough or shortness of breath, and if you suspect you have been in contact with an infected person, please stay at home and contact your Medicover doctor:

• book a telemedical consultation with a doctor for a specific day and time – use Medicover OnLine or call the infoline at +48 500 900 500, and the doctor will call you back; or
• speak with an internal medicine specialist (paediatrician) without the need to make any arrangements in advance – just call Telemedical Advice at +48 500 900 510 and speak with the doctor.

The doctor will assess your condition over the telephone consultation and will provide you with recommendations on how to proceed. The doctor can also issue an e-Presc.ription as well as an electronic sick leave. If in the doctor’s opinion your condition requires personal consultation at the Medicover Centre, you will be provided with a relevant e-Referral for such a visit.

If you are not a Medicover patient, please notify immediately the sanitary and epidemiological station by telephone or report to the infectious diseases hospital avoiding public transport – there, further medical treatment will be determined.

If the fever, coughing and/or shortness of breath has worsened or any of the following symptoms appear:

• persistent pain or pressure in the chest;
• confusion or difficulty to wake up;
• blue lips or face cyanosis.

immediately contact Medicover Hot Line at +48 500 900 999 or call the emergency number 112.

Answers to the most frequently asked questions of patients with hypertension

1. Are hypertensive patients at a higher risk of developing COVID-19? Is the course of COVID-19 more severe in hypertensive patients than in healthy individuals?

Hypertensive individuals are in the group exposed to more severe course of COVID-19 and higher risk of death – according to data from China, the mortality rate is about 6%. One of the factors may be the fact that many people with hypertension are over 60 years old.

2. Should a person with high blood pressure modify their treatment in case of COVID-19 may occur?

• It is recommended to continue the existing treatment of hypertension – medications are necessary to maintain normal blood pressure and prevent complications (e.g. stroke, myocardial infarction). In the case of newly diagnosed hypertension, the treatment should be started according to the doctor's recommendations regardless of COVID-19.
• Please note: despite reports (mainly from social media) about the possible harmfulness of certain medications used in cardiac patients, there is no scientific evidence that these substances should increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Special care should be taken when using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), e.g. ibuprofen, contraceptives, psychoactive drugs, glucocorticosteroids or some antiviral drugs – make sure to take them according to doctor's recommendations and make sure to monitor your blood pressure.

3. Does taking ibuprofen affect the course of COVID-19?

There is no evidence suggesting a link between the use of ibuprofen and the more severe course of COVID-19. However, it is worth remembering that just like other NSAID drugs it may increase the cardiovascular risk (including heart failure). It is recommended to use these medicines for the shortest possible period of time and in the smallest effective dose.

4. What preventive measures should a patient with hypertension take? On an everyday basis, a person with hypertension should take the same preventive measures as the general population.

Learn how to wash your hands properly – download and print our manual: https://www.medicover.pl/o-zdrowiu/koronawirus-covid-19-jak-prawidlowo-myc-rece,6821,n,192

1. What should hypertensive patients do when they notice symptoms of some other disease (not COVID-19)?

If you notice other symptoms, please call a Telemedical Advice doctor at +48 500 900 510 or book a telemedical consultation with a doctor for a specific day and time – use Medicover OnLine or call the infoline at +48 500 900 500, and the doctor will call you back.

This information may be helpful:

• Practical information on how to deal with suspected new coronavirus infection is available at https://www.medicover.pl/koronawirus/dla-pacjentow/ and www.gov.pl/koronawirus.
• The list of all sanitary and epidemiological stations is available on the website of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS): www.gis.gov.pl.
• For the list of infectious diseases hospital departments operating throughout the country, please check the website of the Ministry of Health: https://www.gov.pl/web/koronawirus/lista-szpitali.

References:

1. https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lanres/PIIS2213-2600(20)30116-8.pdf
2. http://urpl.gov.pl/pl/informacja-prezesa-urz%C4%99du-z-dnia-18-marca-2020-r-w-sprawie-komunikatu-europejskiej-agencji-ds-lek%C3%B3w
3. https://www.termedia.pl/zalecenia/Wytyczne-AHA-dla-pacjentow-z-nadcisnieniem-tetniczym-podczas-pandemii-COVID-19,37439.html
4. https://kardiologia.mp.pl/wiadomosci/231801,kontrowersje-zwiazane-ze-stosowaniem-arb-i-acei-u-chorych-z-covid-19
5. https://pulsmedycyny.pl/czy-nadcisnienie-zwieksza-ryzyko-covid-19-oswiadczenie-esh-985075
6. https://www.medexpress.pl/jak-leczyc-nadcisnienie-podczas-pandemii-covid-19/76972
7. Weber M.A., Schiffrin E.L., White W.B. i wsp. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension in the Community. A Statement by the American Society of hypertension and the International Society of Hypertension. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension 2014; 16(1): 14-26.

PREVENTIVE VACCINATIONS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS

Currently, at Medicover Centres we provide all vaccinations for children and adults.

Out of concern for patients, we have defined safe conditions for carrying out vaccinations at our healthcare centres:

1. We have implemented vaccination schedules at specific hours so as to separate patients arriving for vaccinations from other patients.
2. We have extended the breaks between vaccination visits so that there are as few people as possible in the waiting room.
3. We have reduced to the necessary minimum the time the patient stays at the doctor’s office and on the premises of the centre.
4. Before each vaccination visit, we conduct an epidemiological telephone interview and a preliminary qualification for a vaccination visit so that only healthy patients come to the centre.
5. We make sure that the patient is wearing a protective mask on his face while staying at a Medicover Centre.
6. We administer the maximum number of vaccines during one visit to limit the number of vaccination appointments.
7. We have introduced stricter procedures for the healthcare centre staff of personal protective equipment use and hand hygiene – obligatory wearing of a surgical mask, face shield, protective gloves, everyday replacement of lab coats.

If you have questions about vaccinations, please make an appointment for a telemedical consultation with your primary care doctor (paediatrician, internist) at the Medicover OnLine app or contact your paediatrician or internist by calling the Telephone Medical Advice at +48 500 900 510.

SAFE VISITS AT MEDICOVER CENTRES

As we care for the health and safety of patients and medical staff during the epidemic, we have implemented higher safety standards:

1. In the entrance area at Medicover Centres, the temperature of all visitors is measured and medical questionnaire is required to be filled out in order to make an initial diagnosis of potential symptoms of COVID-19 and to assess the risk of virus transmission. Any patient with the higher body temperature or symptoms of infection is immediately isolated and consulted by the doctor in a separate room.
2. We have put protective screens at the reception desk.
3. All patients with symptoms of infection who require physical examination by a doctor are redirected to special Medicover Express offices. These appointments are arranged in a way to separate them in time and space from the remaining schedules at the centre. The patients are referred to such visits during a telemedical consultation.
4. All members of our medical and non-medical staff at Medicover Centres are diagnosed for potential symptoms of the infection before they start their work – if symptoms are identified, an employee does not start to work.
5. We have introduced stricter procedures for medical personnel to comply with the rules of personal protective equipment and hand hygiene - obligatory wearing of a surgical mask, face shield, protective gloves and protective clothing.
6. The offices at our healthcare centres are regularly disinfected. In the corridors and offices there are UV-C lamps – they kill bacteria and viruses.
7. In justified cases, over the weekends we use dry hydrogen to fog our medical centres for disinfection purposes. Fumigators ensure high effectiveness of disinfection.
8. We educate patients to stay at least 2 meters away from the reception staff and other patients in the waiting room. All visitors at our centres are required to wear protective masks and disinfect hands.
   
   

Additionally, we have implemented special safety procedures to ensure that all children at Medicover Centres are safe.

1. In each town we have designated Medicover Centres for medical consultations for healthy children. At some facilities we have separate entrances to paediatric units, and the services for children is completely separated from the remaining part of the centre. If we do not have such an option in a given town, appointments for healthy children at the facility take place only at certain hours when there are no patients with symptoms of infection at the centre.
2. We have made the intervals between visits of healthy children longer so that there are as few people as possible in the waiting room.
3. We have shortened to minimum the time of a child’s and guardian’s stay at the doctor’s office and on the premises of the centre.
4. We administer the maximum number of vaccines at one appointment to limit the number of vaccination visits.
5. One healthy guardian is accepted to accompany a child during a visit, and we make sure that the guardian is wearing a protective face mask while staying at a Medicover Centre.
   
   

1. Who is most at risk of not surviving the SARS-CoV-2 virus?
2. Can a person infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus infect others before experiencing symptoms themselves?
3. Can a person infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus carry the disease asymptomatically while infecting others at the same time?
4. How long does it take from the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection for the first symptoms to appear?
5. What are the main social groups susceptible to infection and complications?
6. Are children not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection?
7. How does SARS-Co-V-2 infectivity compare to other more common pathogens?
8. How long does the virus exist on inanimate matter?
9. Can the SARS-CoV-2 virus be transmitted, for example, on an ID card?
10. Are we able to relieve the symptoms by taking drugs to boost immunity?/Do we reduce the risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 by taking antiviral drugs? What medications do you take if you get sick? Are there any medications we can take to protect ourselves against the virus?
11. Is taking supplements/following a special diet recommended (if so, what kind?) Or does it not make any difference (in boosting immunity)?
12. When can we expect the end of the SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak?
13. Is the SARS-CoV-2 virus actually as dangerous as the media present, or is the panic more widespread?
14. How can the SARS-CoV-2 virus affect pregnant women? Can it cause a miscarriage or complications?
15. Can the virus be spread by domestic or wild animals closely related to the local fauna?
16. How long do disposable surgical masks actually work (time in min/h)?
17. Can I eat uncooked meat and fish?
18. Should we stock up on over-the-counter medicines?
19. What does the treatment process look like for people with a confirmed case of the virus? Is there an effective treatment available at the moment? Has the extent of virus adaptation and its subsequent mutation been determined?
20. Is it possible to obtain a sick leave for people who do not have symptoms of infection but are afraid of getting sick and therefore do not want to go to work?
21. How long will the referral expiry dates be extended? 
22. What types of referrals will be extended? 
23. Which tests should be carried out, and which ones can wait?
24. What should I do if taking medication depends on the result of the examination?
25. Will I have any difficulties obtaining these tests because the referral has a specific date on it?
26. Will there be any problems with executing external referrals carried out by partner facilities?

MEDICOVER HOSPITAL - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Hospital

1. Current hospital functioning
2. What are the safety procedures at Medicover Hospital?
3. Why is patient isolation so important?
4. Is it possible to conduct a qualification appointment via telemedicine and conclude a delivery contract electronically?
5. Can the entire qualification process for delivery be carried out remotely?
6. Can I make an appointment for a procedure at Medicover Hospital?
7. Can I come to the hospital in case of an emergency?
8. I have an appointment at the hospital - will it take place on time?
9. Can a member of my family or a friend accompany me at the hospital?
10. Can I make an appointment at the hospital consultation centre?
11. Can I get medical advice by telephone?
12. Will I get a presc.ription from the doctor during a telemedical consultation?
13. Can I make an appointment for diagnostic test at Medicover Hospital?
14. I have an appointment at the hospital consultation centre – will this visit take place as planned?
15. I have a Medicover subsc.ription – can I use outpatient emergency services?

Obstetrics

1. Are the patients on the maternity ward safeguarded?
2. Is it possible to have childbirth at Medicover Hospital?
3. Why isn’t a pregnant woman allowed to enter the examination in the hospital with an accompanying person?
4. May an accompanying person stay with a woman during childbirth?