The HCM City University Medical Centre sets up a special area with four examination rooms where people who are suspected of having COVID-19 are questioned and tested. Photo courtesy of the hospital

HCM CITY — Health facilities in HCM City have adopted a strict screening process for patients, relatives and visitors to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

At the entrance of the HCM City University Medical Centre, visitors have their temperature taken, are instructed to wash their hands with antibacterial hand sanitizer, and fill out electronic medical declarations.

They are also required to maintain a 2-metre distance from others.

The hospital has set up a special area with four examination rooms where people who are suspected of having COVID-19 are questioned and tested.

Hospital staff at the examination rooms are well trained and equipped with personal protective equipment.

“The strict screening procedures are vital to keep health facilities safe from the virus and protect health officials and patients at the hospital,” said Âu Thanh Tùng, head of the hospital’s general planning department.

Nguyễn Tri Phương Hospital in HCM City’s District 5 has placed an electronic information system at its entrance gate to help patients and visitors fill out electronic medical declarations.

The action follows an instruction from the Ministry of Health to strengthen preventive measures at hospitals.

All patients, relatives and visitors who come to the hospital for medical examination and treatment are required to register in the system and fill out personal information and make a medical declaration. Epidemiological factors and symptoms of acute respiratory infection are also recorded.

The hospital receives an average of 10,000 patients, relatives and visitors every day.

Trịnh Đình Thắng, deputy director of Trưng Vương Hospital, said the screening procedures for all people coming in and out of the hospital are being strictly implemented to prevent the spread of virus at the hospital.

It has set up three rooms in a separate isolation area at the hospital to temporarily isolate people with high risk factors that indicate Covid-19 infection, Thắng said.

The hospital's main gate is open, but all other gates have been closed to limit the flow of visitors, he said. — VNS