Evaluation of the organization and preparedness for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Emergency Medical Services of Spain

Abstract

This article assesses the response of the Emergency Medical Services (SEMs) in Spain to the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic, their level of integration and the responsibilities assumed. It provides a cross-sectional descriptive study of all the Autonomous Communities of the Spanish State. Data collection was carried out between 14 and 30 April 2020. A survey was sent to members of the OSHCAR Research Group (Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Registry), containing 48 questions. Qualitative variables: median (Mdn) and interquartile range (IQR). Responses were received from all SEMs. Interdisciplinary committee in 76% with meetings at varying intervals. Contingency plans were in place in 10 Emergency Coordination Centres (CCUs). Staff were reinforced in operators (Mdn=13; IQR=21.25). Physicians (Mdn=5; IQR=6.91) and nurses (Mdn=5; IQR=27.08). Access to tests, 10 CCUs to information, 6 direct request and 5 for other services. New information telephone numbers managed by the SEM directly in 11. Telephone questioning for self-diagnosis in 9 and online consultation in 7. All the SEMs had exclusive care units (1-84) for COVID (Mdn= 8; IQR=18,125). Specific measures for coping with cardiorespiratory arrest in 13. We can conclude that SEMs have shown a great capacity to adapt to new situations and have been essential as the first line of containment in the pandemic.