[Evaluation of COVID-19 emergency and state of alarm impact on Neonatal Screening Programs in Madrid: endocrine and metabolic disorders program and hearing program review.]
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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Laura Reguero Rodriguez Del Liébana1,2, Sara Santos Sanz1, Mariel Morey Montalvo3
1Servicio de Prevención de la Enfermedad. Subdirección General de Promoción, Prevención y Educación Sanitaria. Dirección General de Salud Pública. Madrid. España.
Insights
COVID-19 emergency measures impacted neonatal screening programs, but healthcare professionals demonstrated resilience. Newborn screening for endocrine, metabolic, and hearing disorders maintained high coverage rates, ensuring quality care for infants during the state of alarm.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Health
- Public Health Policy
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent state of alarm (SA) disrupted standard healthcare services.
- Neonatal screening programs, including those for Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (EMDP) and Hearing Program (HP), faced potential threats to their normal operations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 emergency and state of alarm declaration on neonatal EMDP and HP in Madrid.
- To assess the adaptability and effectiveness of these crucial newborn screening services during a public health crisis.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative and quantitative descriptive study was conducted.
- Semistructured interviews were used to gather data on newborn screening activities from January to April 2020.
- Data from the neonatal screening information system (RECRINE) and maternity units were analyzed, with statistical differences assessed using the Chi2 test (p<0.05).
Main Results:
- Over 70% of interviews were completed, with over 80% of hospitals implementing early hospital discharges (24-48h).
- Screening programs were adapted in over 75% of healthcare centers, maintaining high coverage rates (>95%) for Hearing screening and EMDP.
- No significant adverse events were noted in diagnostic confirmation or treatment at Clinical Reference Units (RCU), which adapted to healthcare reorganizations.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal care professionals displayed significant resilience in adapting screening services during the COVID-19 emergency.
- Periodic evaluations are crucial for understanding and mitigating the effects of public health crises on essential healthcare programs.
- The quality of healthcare for newborns in 2020 was maintained, particularly concerning screening for endocrine, metabolic, and hearing disorders.
Objective:
Under the declaration of the state of alarm (SA) in efforts to control COVID-19, normal development of health programs was threatened. The aim of the study was the evaluation of COVID 19 emergency and SA approval impact on neonatal Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders Program (EMDP) and Neonatal Hearing Program (HP) in Madrid.
Methods:
Qualitative and quantitative descriptive study was conducted. Semistructured interview was designed and developed to picture newborn screening activities taking place from January 1st to 31st of April 2020. To describe the undergo rates of newborn screening, neonatal screening information system (RECRINE) and martenity and prenatal care units were studied. Differences were analyzed using Chi2 test (p value = 0.05).
Results:
More than 70% interviews were reported. Early hospital discharges, between 24 and 48h, were made in more than 80% hospitals. Screening programs were adapted in more than 75% health care centers. EMDP 19 diseases, RECRINE and Clinical Reference Units (RCU) referral were conducted. No significant incidences were observed in diagnostic confirmation and treatment in the RCU. RCU were adapted because of the reorganization of health care. 88.5% of the hospitals showed higher than 95% coverage rates on Hearing screening and SEM. No differences were observed compared to the pre-epidemic period.
Conclusions:
Our study demonstrates PCN professionals resilience. The importance of designing periodic evaluations to understand and alleviate the COVID-19 impact is remarkable. We need to assure 2020 newborns attention health care quality.
