Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2: information for families of at-risk immunosuppressed patients

In light of the current coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) epidemiological situation, and following the guidance of the Spanish Ministry of Health, the Catalan Health Service   and the Spanish Association of Paediatrics (Asociación Española de Pediatría, AEP), SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital would like to provide the following information to the families of patients with illnesses that involve any type of immunosuppression:

• It is important that both the patient as well as everyone in contact with the patient washes their hands thoroughly after going to the bathroom, before and after meals and after any activity that involves handling objects that have been outside the home.
• Clean your home more regularly with regular disinfectants.
• Avoid close contact with everyone, especially people with symptoms of infection (fever, cough, sneezing, general malaise or discomfort, breathing difficulties).
• Avoid crowded places.
• Stay at home as much as possible. We recommend only leaving the home for those journeys and trips that are strictly necessary.
• Restrict home visits if they are not essential.
• Use disposable tissues.
• Do not use kitchen utensils or objects unless they have been properly cleaned.

Your doctor may consider postponing any face-to-face visits that are not absolutely necessary, so the Hospital may contact you to rearrange your appointments.

The Hospital department in charge of the patient’s care will arrange telematic appointments if necessary.

Patients receiving treatment for cancer or haematopoietic stem cell post-transplant patients

We advise patients receiving cancer treatment and haematopoietic stem cell post-transplant patients not to use public transport .

If the patient has a fever and respiratory symptoms

If the patient has a fever and  respiratory symptoms, you should dial 061 or come to the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital A&E Department, where the current protocol will be followed.

If the patient tests positive for coronavirus SARS-CoV-2

In the event that the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 test is positive, a multidisciplinary team shall assess whether hospitalisation is required or whether home care can be provided under close observation from a medical care team. If the patient’s condition allows, they may also be able to go home while they are waiting for their test results.

If the patient has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 

If the patient does not have respiratory symptoms or fever, but they  have been in close contact  with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, we recommend self-isolating for a period of 14 days, following the current protocol.

SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital would like to point out that COVID-19 is an infection that normally causes mild symptoms in children, as  shown by the data collected over the past few weeks.

However, it is necessary to be particularly careful in the case of children with underlying health conditions, which is why we must optimise all our healthcare, logistical and human  resources. We therefore   ask  for your utmost cooperation and trust at this time .